Germany’s Integration Course in 2026: Eligibility, Costs and How to Apply

Germany’s integration course (Integrationskurs) combines German lessons with practical knowledge about everyday life, the legal system, history and society. It is designed for people who have moved to Germany and want a structured route toward German at level B1. This guide explains who may attend, who can be required to attend, what the course costs in 2026 and which applications you should submit before the course starts.

What is an integration course?

The federal integration course has two parts. The language course teaches communication for work, housing, healthcare, school, public offices and daily life. The orientation course covers Germany’s democratic system, rights and responsibilities, recent history, culture and social values.

The general course contains 600 language lesson units and 100 orientation lesson units. One lesson unit is 45 minutes, so the schedule shown by a provider is not the same as 700 full clock hours. Special courses for particular learning needs can contain up to 1,000 units. There are also full-time and part-time formats; availability differs by town and provider.

The language target is B1 under the Common European Framework of Reference. The course ends with the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) and the Life in Germany test. Passing both requirements leads to the Integration Course Certificate. Official course information is available from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Who can attend in 2026?

Eligibility depends on factors such as nationality, residence status, when the residence permit was issued and whether you already speak sufficient German. Some people have a legal entitlement, some can be admitted if places are available, and others may receive an obligation to attend. An admission under section 44(4) of the Residence Act can depend on capacity, so an application does not automatically guarantee an immediate place.

The document allowing or requiring participation may come from different authorities:

• Foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde): often handles authorization or an obligation connected with a residence permit.
• Jobcenter or another basic-security provider: may authorize or require participation when you receive relevant benefits.
• BAMF: handles applications for admission in several other situations, including applications where participation depends on available places.

Ethnic German resettlers have separate access rules. Because residence histories differ, use the BAMF eligibility guidance or ask the responsible authority which form applies to you. This article is practical information, not legal advice.

How to apply: a practical sequence

1. Check your documents. Look for a participation authorization, obligation or confirmation from the foreigners authority, Jobcenter, basic-security provider or BAMF. Note any validity period or deadline.
2. Apply for admission if necessary. If you do not already have an authorization, use the route specified by BAMF for your residence category. Keep a copy and proof of submission.
3. Apply for a fee exemption before the course. Do this early and attach current evidence. An exemption does not normally apply retroactively to modules that began before the application.
4. Find approved providers. Search by postcode in BAMF-NAvI. Contact several schools because start dates, childcare support, evening classes and waiting lists vary.
5. Take the placement test. The placement test is free. It determines the right module and can prevent you from repeating material you already know.
6. Register for the course. Ask for the timetable, module dates, attendance rules, exam dates and a written explanation of any payment due.

What does the integration course cost in 2026?

The standard participant contribution is €2.29 per lesson unit. For a 700-unit general course, that is €1,603 in total. The amount is normally paid per 100-unit module, which means €229 at a time rather than the entire total on day one. If placement puts you into a later module, you generally pay only for the units you attend.

People admitted or required to participate by a basic-security provider and ethnic German resettlers attend free of charge. Other participants can apply to BAMF for an exemption if they receive basic security, unemployment benefit, benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act or social assistance. Exemption may also be possible because of financial hardship or for qualifying low-wage employees.

Income thresholds and required evidence can change. Do not rely on an old figure found on a forum. Use the current BAMF form and information sheet, or ask the provider which evidence is accepted. Most importantly, submit the exemption request before the course or relevant module begins. BAMF states that exemption cannot be granted retroactively from an earlier course start. Current details and forms are listed on the BAMF participation and costs page.

Travel subsidy and the 50% refund

If BAMF grants a fee exemption, you may also be able to receive a travel-cost subsidy when the course location is sufficiently far from your home and the other requirements are met. This is a separate application. Ask your provider which BAMF form to use, apply before making assumptions about reimbursement and keep attendance records and travel evidence where requested.

Participants who paid their own contribution may be able to claim back 50% of the paid course contribution after completing the course successfully within the required period. For participation entitlements issued from 1 February 2023, the normal deadline is two years for a general integration course and three years for a special target-group course. The period is tied to the issue date of the participation entitlement, not simply the examination date. Apply for the refund; it is not sensible to assume it will arrive automatically. Keep the entitlement letter, payment receipts and course certificate.

Placement, attendance and the final tests

The free placement test decides where you start. A complete beginner will usually begin with the first module, while a participant with existing German may enter later. The test is not the final DTZ exam. Tell the provider about literacy needs, a disability, hearing or vision needs, childcare constraints or a work schedule so it can check whether a suitable special or part-time course is available.

Regular attendance matters. It supports progress and may be required under your participation obligation or for benefits-related arrangements. If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider immediately and ask what evidence is required. Do not ignore letters about absences, especially if an authority required you to participate.

The DTZ assesses speaking, listening, reading and writing and can produce an A2 or B1 result. The orientation section concludes with the Life in Germany test. To receive the Integration Course Certificate, you must meet the required result in both parts. If you do not pass one component, ask the provider promptly about repeat options, possible additional lessons and costs; the answer depends on your result and authorization.

Choosing a provider

Use BAMF-NAvI rather than relying only on advertisements. Search near your home and compare several approved providers. Useful questions include:

• When does the next suitable module start, and is there a waiting list?
• Is the schedule full-time, part-time, evening or online, and how often must I attend in person?
• Which special course formats are offered?
• Can the provider help check the fee-exemption and travel-subsidy forms?
• When are the DTZ and Life in Germany tests scheduled?
• Is childcare available or is there a nearby course that works with childcare?

A language-learning service such as Babbel can be useful for extra vocabulary and practice between classes, but it does not replace an official BAMF integration course, its attendance requirements or its final tests.

Documents to prepare

• Passport or recognized identity document
• Residence permit or other proof of residence status, if applicable
• Authorization, admission or obligation letter
• Current benefit notice if applying based on benefits
• Current income evidence and any documents requested for financial hardship or low-wage employment
• Address and contact details
• Previous German certificates, if available
• Copies of every application, decision, receipt and course certificate

Bring originals when requested, but keep your own copies. If a deadline is close, ask the authority how to submit the application with proof of receipt. A school’s informal assurance is not a substitute for a written decision from the competent authority.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying for fee exemption after classes have started: submit it before the course or module begins because retroactive relief is generally unavailable.
• Confusing lesson units with clock hours: each unit is 45 minutes.
• Waiting for only one provider: compare nearby options in BAMF-NAvI if the first school has no place.
• Missing an authority deadline: read the obligation or authorization carefully and document your registration attempts.
• Discarding payment records: you may need them for a 50% refund application.
• Assuming any language school counts: verify that the provider and course are BAMF-approved.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the integration course in Germany?

The general course normally has 600 language lesson units and 100 orientation lesson units. Each unit lasts 45 minutes. Special courses can contain up to 1,000 units, and the calendar duration depends on whether the schedule is full-time or part-time.

How much does an integration course cost in 2026?

The regular contribution is €2.29 per lesson unit. A complete 700-unit general course therefore costs €1,603, normally paid in 100-unit modules. Fee exemptions are available in defined circumstances.

Can I attend the integration course for free?

Yes, depending on how you were admitted and your financial situation. People admitted or obliged by a basic-security provider and ethnic German resettlers attend free. Other participants may apply for exemption based on specified benefits, financial hardship or qualifying low-wage employment. Apply before the course begins.

Where can I find an approved integration course?

Use the official BAMF-NAvI search, enter your postcode and contact several listed providers. Ask about the next start date, the correct course type, waiting lists and the placement test.

What do I receive after passing the course?

If you achieve the required result in the German Test for Immigrants and pass the Life in Germany test, you receive the Integration Course Certificate.

Can I get part of the course fee back?

A 50% refund may be available if you paid contributions and successfully complete the course within the applicable deadline. For entitlements issued from 1 February 2023, this is normally two years for a general course and three years for a special target-group course. You must apply and provide the required evidence.