In integration courses, you will learn German and receive information about Germany.

Wichtig:Please note: Children and young people who are still at school cannot take part in an integration course.

Type of lessons, duration and schedule

There are full-time and part-time courses. A part-time course is a good option if you are working or looking after children, for example.

A general integration course comprises 700 lessons. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes for all courses.

It begins with a German course (600 lessons): In the language course, you will cover important topics from everyday life. You will also practise writing letters in German, filling out forms, making phone calls and applying for a job.

The language course concludes with the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" (DTZ) exam (German for Migrants exam).

This is followed by an orientation course (100 lessons): Here you will learn a lot about your rights and obligations and about living together in Germany.

After the orientation course, you will take the "Leben in Deutschland (LiD)”-Test (Living in Germany exam). This exam assesses what you have learned in the orientation course.

Special integration courses

In addition to the general integration course, there are also

• Integration courses with literacy training: These are courses in which you can learn to read and write.
• Integration courses for second-language learners: These are courses in which you learn the Latin alphabet. You must be able to read and write the Latin alphabet in order to read and write German.
• Integration courses for people with low literacy skills: These are courses for people who have difficulty reading and writing. In these courses, you will learn how to deal with written texts.
• Intensive courses: You learn German in 500 lessons.
   

You can find information about specific types of courses on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The course providers or your local Job Centre or local Employment Agency will help you choose a course.

Finding integration courses

You can find integration courses in your area in BAMF-NAvI, the BAMF information system. You can also contact your local employment agency or local Job Centre.

A BAMF migration advice centre can also provide you with information about integration courses. The Job Centre may require you to take part in an integration course.

Costs

If you receive benefits from the Job Centre, the integration course is free of charge for you. If this does not apply to you, you may be exempted from the contribution to the costs under certain conditions. This requires a prior application to the BAMF (in German).
 

Further information and application forms for integration courses are available from the BAMF, your local Job Centre or your local Employment Agency. Information on participation and the costs of integration courses can be found on the BAMF website.

By participating in a vocational language course

• immigrants,
• EU citizens and
• Germans with a migration background

can improve their chances of integration into the labour market, training or further education.
 

There are

• Basic courses: Here you will learn the German you need for everyday working life.
• Special courses for people who are in the recognition process (academic healthcare professions, healthcare professions and early childhood education) / Special courses for retail and trade/technology / Practical training: Here you will learn technical terms or expressions, for example for the care sector or skilled trades.
• Special courses for former integration course participants who have not achieved language level B1.
• Courses for trainees or employees that are tailored to the specific needs of their training or profession. This includes the “Job-Berufssprachkurs" (job-specific language course): You can take part in this course if you are employed or about to start a job, or if you are participating in a labour market preparation measure offered by your local employment agency or your local Job Centre.

Wichtig:Note: The range of job-related language courses is temporarily limited.

You can find courses in your area using the search function for vocational language courses (available in German only). We would also be happy to provide you with more information in a personal consultation.

If you would like to take a vocational language course, your employment agency can authorise you to do so. The Job Centre can require you to participate.

Final exam with certificate

You will usually complete the vocational language course with an exam. You will then receive a certificate confirming the language level you have achieved. This certificate can be very helpful in your career.

Costs

• If you are eligible or required by your local employment agency or your Job Centre to participate in a vocational language course, or if you are participating in a vocational language course as a trainee, the course is free of charge for you.
• If you are employed and on a low income, participation in a vocational language course is free of charge for you. Otherwise, you will have to pay a contribution to the costs. If your employer does not reimburse you for the costs, you can apply to the BAMF for a refund of 50 per cent of your contribution (in German). 

Further information on vocational language courses is available from the BAMF.

Tipp:Tip: Combine an integration course or vocational language course with a labour market policy measure. This will help you prepare even better for training, work or self-employment. Your advisor at the local employment agency or the local Job Centre will decide whether you are eligible to participate.