The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has instructed local authorities to “suspend until further notice” most new approvals for taxpayer-funded integration and language courses. In a circular of 9 February—made public on 26 February—the agency says only applicants who already hold written admission can start or continue. People with temporary protection under §24 AufenthG, many asylum-seekers in ongoing procedures, holders of “tolerated” status and some EU citizens will now have to pay private fees that exceed €1,000 per course. (tuenews.de)
BAMF cites budget constraints after a surge in arrivals in 2023-25 and stresses that digital self-study modules remain available. The Baden-Württemberg Adult-Education Association warns that up to 25,000 learners in the state alone could be excluded, jeopardising their access to entry-level jobs and vocational training.
For employers, the freeze complicates on-boarding of recently arrived hires and dependants whose residence status falls into one of the affected categories. Companies may need to finance private German lessons to keep relocation timelines on track or risk violating integration-support clauses in collective agreements.
![Germany Freezes New Admissions to State-Funded Integration Courses]()
If you’re recalibrating immigration plans because of these changes, VisaHQ can streamline the visa and residence-permit process, clarify eligibility and documentation, and coordinate with local authorities across Germany—see https://www.visahq.com/germany/ for details.
HR departments should check contractual obligations and explore tax-free training allowances (§3 Nr. 19 EStG) to offset costs. Specialists already admitted to a course remain eligible, but sponsors should secure written confirmations before the next intake deadlines.
Observers see the move as a bellwether for a tougher fiscal stance in Berlin ahead of the 2027 federal budget talks. Unless funding is restored, industry groups fear a widening skills-gap just as the new Skilled Immigration Act seeks to attract more non-EU talent.
BAMF cites budget constraints after a surge in arrivals in 2023-25 and stresses that digital self-study modules remain available. The Baden-Württemberg Adult-Education Association warns that up to 25,000 learners in the state alone could be excluded, jeopardising their access to entry-level jobs and vocational training.
For employers, the freeze complicates on-boarding of recently arrived hires and dependants whose residence status falls into one of the affected categories. Companies may need to finance private German lessons to keep relocation timelines on track or risk violating integration-support clauses in collective agreements.
If you’re recalibrating immigration plans because of these changes, VisaHQ can streamline the visa and residence-permit process, clarify eligibility and documentation, and coordinate with local authorities across Germany—see https://www.visahq.com/germany/ for details.
HR departments should check contractual obligations and explore tax-free training allowances (§3 Nr. 19 EStG) to offset costs. Specialists already admitted to a course remain eligible, but sponsors should secure written confirmations before the next intake deadlines.
Observers see the move as a bellwether for a tougher fiscal stance in Berlin ahead of the 2027 federal budget talks. Unless funding is restored, industry groups fear a widening skills-gap just as the new Skilled Immigration Act seeks to attract more non-EU talent.
