Anyone who wishes to live in Germany should take part in an integration course. In certain cases a permit, the certificate of eligibility, is required. You can obtain this from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees - Integration Courses.

The integration course consists of a language and an orientation course. In order to come to terms with everyday life you first of all learn the language. The composing of letters and completing of forms are also practised. The orientation course follows on from that. This is where you learn everything connected with your rights and duties and community life in Germany. The general integration course lasts 660 hours.

Tipp:Good to know: you can be exempt from the costs connected with this. To this end you must file a written application to your contact person in the Federal Office for Migrants and Refugees. You may find the organisers of integration courses in your neighbourhood with our search for intergation courses (available in German). Or you may obtain their addresses from the Foreign Nationals Authority or a migrants’ advice centre.

Various providers offer online language courses while the exact contents may differ from one provider to another. It is important, however, to select a course that matches your current level of German. Your course's duration will depend on your prior knowledge. You may check your level of German in advance, before enrolling in a course. Please feel free to contact us on this issue.

Tipp:Good to know: please inform yourself in advance if costs will incur for your language course - you might be eligible for exemption; therefore, you should seek advice from your contact person at the Arbeitsagentur (Employment Agency)/Job Centre beforehand. You may find suitable online language courses via our search for language courses (available in German). Another way to study German is using our "Arrival-App" for free. Additionally, there are online educational programmes offered by the Government Broadcasting Station.

You may enrol in so-called vocation-related courses. These language courses prepare you for working in a certain vocational field. Attending such a course you will learn the vocabulary necessary at your job - from the field of nursing care to craftsmanship. There are also courses for individual professions. At the end of a course you take an exam; the certificate can be of great use to your further career.

The scope of each course is tailored to the content required in your vocational sector. Before you start your course, the provider checks your language level personally or online. Consequently, they offer you a suitable course.

Tipp:Good to know: the courses incur fees. Please contact your employer – they might bear the costs for you. If you are unemployed or your employment will shortly be terminated, you may be exempt from the fees. In such case please contact your Arbeitsagentur (Employment Agency)/Job Centre before registering for a course. You will find the course (available in German) matching your needs online. Further information may be obtained from the Federal Office for Migrants and Refugees. We will also gladly provide you with information on this topic in a personal interview.