What is a BAMF integration course?

These courses are intensive German courses organised by the BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) especially for refugees. The integration courses are divided into two parts: the language courses themselves and an orientation course (to give you more information about living in Germany). Integration courses usually have to be taken full-time but can also be taken part-time or in the evening in certain cases (eg: employment).

Who can take integration courses for free?

The courses are free if you are an asylum seeker and you have:

• A Temporary Permission to Stay (Aufenthaltsgestattung),
• An Exceptional Leave to Remain (Duldung), or
• A Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)

If your residence status matches one of those mentioned above, you will also need a Certificate of Eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) from the BAMF. This will mean that you can attend an integration course for 3 months (which is how long the certificate is valid for) and you may continue to attend the course regardless of asylum proceedings.

If you don’t meet any of those requirements and you are not asylum seeker, you will have to pay a small fee of 1,95 Euros per hour for the course.

More information and how to apply

For more information about integration courses, click here. To search for integration courses nearby and to apply click here.