Can Ukrainians take an integration course for free in 2026?

Yes, but with a limitation. After voluntary admissions were suspended in February 2026, the government reopened access from 1 June 2026 for Ukrainians with a permit under §24 AufenthG — within a contingent (a limited number of places tied to the budget). For Bürgergeld recipients, the course is free after applying for exemption from the fee (Kostenbefreiung).

Where do I apply for admission to the course?

The application for admission (Zulassung) is submitted to the regional BAMF office — by post or online (via BundID). After approval, BAMF sends the Berechtigungsschein (certificate of entitlement to participate) by post, with which you enrol at an accredited course centre.

How much does the integration course cost?

The fee is €2.29 per teaching hour. A general course of 700 hours costs approximately €1,603. Recipients of Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits, social assistance or low-income earners are fully exempt from the fee — the Kostenbefreiung application must be submitted before the course starts.

Is part of the money refunded?

Yes. If you pass the language exam at level B1 and the «Leben in Deutschland» test within 2 years of admission being issued (3 years for special courses), you will be refunded 50% of the fee paid upon application to the regional BAMF office.

How many hours does the course last?

The general course is 600 hours of language plus 100 hours of orientation course (700 in total). Special courses for specific groups are up to 900+100 hours, the intensive course is 400+100 hours. The goal of the language part is level B1.

Can asylum seekers or persons with Duldung take the course?

No, voluntary participation for persons with Aufenthaltsgestattung and Duldung is not available in 2026 — they may participate only under an obligation imposed by an authority. For them, the offer of initial orientation courses (Erstorientierungskurse, EOK) is being expanded — planned from autumn (around November) 2026.

Country update

Free integration course in Germany for Ukrainians in 2026: access via contingent from 1 June

Published Jun 1, 2026 · Updated Jun 1, 2026 · 5 хв read

Source: Germany4Ukraine — Integrationskurse (офіційний урядовий портал) Verified Jun 1, 2026 Affects:

Germany

Пластилінова сцена: класна кімната з книгою «B1», Бранденбурзькі ворота з табличкою DE, синьо-жовтий прапор і аркуш BAMF

In short. From 1 June 2026, Ukrainians with a permit under §24 AufenthG may once again voluntarily enrol in a free Integrationskurs — but only within a limited contingent of places. First apply for admission (Zulassung) to the regional BAMF office, obtain a Berechtigungsschein, then enrol at a course centre. The €2.29/hour fee is waived for Bürgergeld recipients.

From 1 June 2026, Ukrainians with a permit under §24 AufenthG and EU citizens once again have access to voluntary participation in the Integrationskurs after admissions were suspended in February 2026.
Access is limited by a contingent: the number of places is tied to the budget, with priority going to persons under §24 (Ukrainians) and EU citizens with an interest in the labour market.
The course = 600 hours of language (up to level B1) + 100 hours of orientation course; the intensive variant is 400+100 hours.
The fee is €2.29 per hour (≈€1,603 for 700 hours), but recipients of Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits or social assistance are fully exempt by applying for Kostenbefreiung.
Passing the B1 exam and the «Leben in Deutschland» test within 2 years entitles you to a 50% refund of the fee paid.
Persons with an Aufenthaltsgestattung (asylum seekers) and Duldung are not entitled to voluntary participation — for them only extended initial orientation courses (EOK) are provided.

Key point: from 1 June 2026, Ukrainians with a residence permit under §24 AufenthG and EU citizens may once again voluntarily enrol in the free integration course (Integrationskurs) in Germany. Access has been restored after BAMF suspended all voluntary admissions in February 2026 due to a lack of funds. Participation is now granted within a contingent — a limited number of places tied to the budget.

What changed in 2026

On 9 February 2026, by circular, BAMF suspended the issuance of any admissions to participate in integration courses under §44 para. 4 AufenthG (this is the rule for those not obliged to attend): applications submitted from 1 December 2025, and all future ones, are rejected. The suspension affected Ukrainians, EU citizens, asylum seekers and persons with Duldung. According to BAMF estimates, voluntary participants made up about 41% of all course participants planned for 2026 — that is approximately 129,500 people left without access.

From 1 June 2026, access has been partially restored, but selectively:

Ukrainians with §24 AufenthG and EU citizens (especially those who work or are seeking work) — receive priority quotas.
Asylum seekers (Aufenthaltsgestattung) and persons with Duldung — are not entitled to voluntary participation; for them, initial orientation courses (Erstorientierungskurse, EOK) are being expanded — planned from autumn (around November) 2026.

The number of places in the contingent has not yet been finally determined (officially «noch nicht bekannt») and depends on the budget — so it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

Who is eligible

A residence permit under §24 AufenthG or a Fiktionsbescheinigung from the immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde).
Participation for Ukrainians is not mandatory by default, but the Jobcenter or Ausländerbehörde may require it in individual cases.

How to apply — step by step

Apply for admission (Zulassung) to the regional BAMF office (Regionalstelle). You can apply by post or online (via BundID). Attach a copy of your passport/ID and your residence permit or Fiktionsbescheinigung.
Obtain the Berechtigungsschein — the certificate of entitlement to participate, which BAMF sends by post after approval (within the available contingent).
Find a course centre via the BAMF-NAvI information system and enrol by presenting the Berechtigungsschein.
If necessary, apply for exemption from the fee (Kostenbefreiung) before the course starts — this is a separate form to the regional BAMF office.

How many hours and to what level

General course: 600 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course (700 hours in total).
Special course (for specific target groups): up to 900 + 100 hours.
Intensive course: 400 + 100 hours.

The goal of the language part is level B1. The orientation course concludes with the «Leben in Deutschland» test (law, history, society).

How much it costs and when it is free

Fee: €2.29 per teaching hour. A 700-hour course costs approximately €1,603.
Full exemption (Kostenbefreiung): for recipients of Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits, social assistance, as well as for low-income earners and workers with income below the established threshold. The application must be submitted before the course starts — a retroactive exemption applies only to the first (individually first) module.
50% refund: if you pass the B1 exam and the «Leben in Deutschland» test within 2 years of admission being issued (3 years for special courses), half of the fee paid is refunded upon application to BAMF.

What to do right now

Check that you have a valid permit under §24 AufenthG or a Fiktionsbescheinigung.
Apply for Zulassung to BAMF as soon as possible — places in the contingent are limited.
If you receive Bürgergeld, prepare the Kostenbefreiung application straight away so that the course is free.

Please note: the details of quota allocation as of mid-June 2026 are still being clarified, and BAMF is updating the relevant regulation (Integrationskursverordnung). Specific conditions should be verified on the official BAMF and Germany4Ukraine portals before applying.

Related guides

germany/residence-permit

Official sources

Questions

Can Ukrainians take an integration course for free in 2026?: Yes, but with a limitation. After voluntary admissions were suspended in February 2026, the government reopened access from 1 June 2026 for Ukrainians with a permit under §24 AufenthG — within a contingent (a limited number of places tied to the budget). For Bürgergeld recipients, the course is free after applying for exemption from the fee (Kostenbefreiung).
Where do I apply for admission to the course?: The application for admission (Zulassung) is submitted to the regional BAMF office — by post or online (via BundID). After approval, BAMF sends the Berechtigungsschein (certificate of entitlement to participate) by post, with which you enrol at an accredited course centre.
How much does the integration course cost?: The fee is €2.29 per teaching hour. A general course of 700 hours costs approximately €1,603. Recipients of Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits, social assistance or low-income earners are fully exempt from the fee — the Kostenbefreiung application must be submitted before the course starts.
Is part of the money refunded?: Yes. If you pass the language exam at level B1 and the «Leben in Deutschland» test within 2 years of admission being issued (3 years for special courses), you will be refunded 50% of the fee paid upon application to the regional BAMF office.
How many hours does the course last?: The general course is 600 hours of language plus 100 hours of orientation course (700 in total). Special courses for specific groups are up to 900+100 hours, the intensive course is 400+100 hours. The goal of the language part is level B1.
Can asylum seekers or persons with Duldung take the course?: No, voluntary participation for persons with Aufenthaltsgestattung and Duldung is not available in 2026 — they may participate only under an obligation imposed by an authority. For them, the offer of initial orientation courses (Erstorientierungskurse, EOK) is being expanded — planned from autumn (around November) 2026.