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States and Cities Press Berlin After Integration Course Access Is Cut

The interior minister cites soaring program costs as the reason for tighter eligibility that he says will rein in spending.

Overview

  • Germany’s migration office has halted new admissions to federally funded integration courses for asylum applicants still in procedure, tolerated residents, Ukrainians and EU citizens who previously joined when seats were available.
  • Recognized refugees and individuals whom authorities or job centers oblige to attend remain eligible, with officials emphasizing a priority on rapid entry into work when feasible.
  • Alexander Dobrindt defended the restrictions in the Bundestag’s interior committee, noting a 2026 outlay exceeding €1 billion and, according to participants’ accounts, projecting annual costs of roughly €600–650 million by 2027.
  • Schleswig-Holstein’s Landtag unanimously urged the federal government to preserve access, with senior state officials calling the stop a policy reversal that undercuts labor supply and integration goals.
  • Municipal leaders and adult-education providers warn of canceled classes, teacher job losses and lost rural provision, while the BAMF plans an expanded rollout of shorter, non-certifying orientation courses from November 2026.