The Integrationskurs is an integration course provided by Germany to help foreigners adjust to life in Germany. The Integrationskurs is intended to prepare noncitizens to become legally and socially accepted as citizens by learning the German language and the legal system, politics, culture, society, and history of Germany.
According to the legal definition in Section 43, Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act, the Integrationskurs supports the integration efforts of foreigners through an introductory offer for integration to successfully teach them the language, the legal system, the culture, and the history of Germany. Foreigners are to become so familiar with the living conditions in the federal territory that they can act independently in all matters of daily life without the help or mediation of third parties.
The Integrationskurs was introduced in 2005 as part of the Immigration Act. The ordinance determines the implementation of the Integrationskurs for foreigners and late resettlers (Integration Course Ordinance - IntV).
Participation
The law differentiates between the right (Section 44 of the Residence Act) and the obligation (Section 44a of the Residence Act) to participate.
Eligible participants
The prerequisite for participation is permanent residence in Germany and a German residence permit.
Previously, asylum seekers and tolerated persons have not had access to the Integrationskurs according to Sections 43 et seq. of the Residence Act. This was changed by Article 3 No. 6 of the Asylum Procedure Acceleration Act of October 20, 2015, in Article 44 Paragraph 4 Clause 2 Residence Act new version in favor of persons with a residence permit (Article 5 Clause 2 IntV) to enable early language acquisition. However, registration is limited to three months after receipt of admission and depends on the places available on the course. Asylum seekers who come from a safe country of origin within Section 29a of the Asylum Act (Section 44 (4) sentence 3 of the Residence Act) are also excluded from participation.
EU citizens have no legal right to participate in the Integrationskurs but can be admitted to the Integrationskurs by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) if places are available (Section 44 (3) sentence 1 of the Residence Act).
In 2012, 94,020 people started the Integrationskurs; in 2014, the number was 142,439. Over 180,000 new participants were expected for 2015, and around 306,000 new participants were forecast for 2016, taking into account the opening of the Integrationskurs for asylum seekers and those with a toleration status.
Obligation to participate
Immigration authorities can oblige people to take part in the Integrationskurs if they do not have sufficient German language skills and if they receive unemployment benefits or are to be specially integrated for another reason. For example, they have to take care of an underage child who lives in Germany. The course provider checks proper participation (§ 8 Para. 3 IntV) and can be enforced by administrative means if necessary (§ 44a Para. 3 Residence Act).
Legal consequences
If someone has proof of having completed the Integrationskurs, the minimum period for naturalization is reduced from eight to seven years (Section 10 (3) StAG). Successful completion also serves as proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language before a settlement permit is issued (Section 9 (2) sentence 1 no. 7, sentence 2 of the Residence Act) or an EU long-term residence permit (Section 9a (2) sentence 1 no. 3, sentence 2 of the Residence Act) and will be taken into account when extending a residence permit (Section 8 (3) of the Residence Act).
If participation in the Integrationskurs is provided for in an integration agreement under Book Two of the Social Code, a violation of the obligation to attend can also be sanctioned as a breach of duty with a reduction in benefits under Section 31 Paragraph 1 No. 1 SGB II (so-called refusal to integrate).
Course content
The Integrationskurs consists of two parts: a language course and an orientation course. The lessons usually take place all day in groups with participants from different mother tongues. Successful participation in the Integrationskurs is certified with the "Integrationskurs Certificate". Some educational institutions also offer so-called arrival courses.
Language course
Duration and structure
The language course comprises 600 hours of instruction, divided into a basic and an advanced language course. The aim is sufficient language skills to ensure the integration of migrants in terms of social participation and equal opportunities.