Apply for cost exemption for the integration course

If you receive social benefits or are financially needy, you can take part in an integration course free of charge under certain conditions. This also applies to employees whose gross salary does not exceed a certain amount.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is a higher German federal authority and is responsible, among other things, for the cost exemption for the integration course.

Under certain conditions, the integration course is free of charge for you. To do this, submit an application to your regional BAMF office. Submit the application in good time before the start of the course.

You can also submit your application for cost exemption together with an application for admission to the integration course or an application for one-time admission to repeat 300 lessons of the integration course.

Retroactive cost exemption for the period before your application is not possible.

You must submit the following for the application

• current proof (copy) of your financial situation, for example:
  • Unemployment benefit or
  • Citizen's allowance or
  • Benefits for living expenses (social assistance) or
  • payslip or valid employment contract stating the gross monthly salary
  • If applicable, corresponding proof from which child allowances result
• Alternatively: current proof (copy) of financial need, such as
  • receipt of housing benefit or
  • exemption from the broadcasting fee (GEZ) or
  • other proof or decision from another body regarding financial need

You can apply for a cost exemption from the integration course if:

• you receive unemployment benefit, citizen's benefit or benefits for living expenses (social assistance)
• or you are employed and your gross salary does not exceed 33% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for general pension insurance
  • Note: The amount increases by 10% for one child and by 20% for 2 or more children, in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act
• or you are financially needy for other reasons.

• Objection

Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification.

• Administrative court action

You can apply for cost exemption online via the federal administration portal or in writing to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

An authorized representative can also submit the application on your behalf.

Submit the application online:

• Open the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de and log in with:
  • the online ID function of your ID card,
  • the electronic residence permit,
  • the eID for citizens of the EU or
  • with the ELSTER certificate of your online tax office (via BundID)
• Upload the required documents as a scan.
• Submit your application.
• The regional office of the BAMF will check your application.
• You will receive notification by post or digitally that your application has been approved or rejected.

Submit your application by post:

Go to the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and open the application form.

• You can fill in the form
  • fill it out on screen or
  • download it and then fill it in.
• Print out the form and sign it.
• Send the form with the necessary documents by post to your responsible regional office of the BAMF.
• The BAMF regional office will check your application.

You will receive notification by post that your application has been approved or rejected.

You must submit the application in good time before the start of the course in order to receive the subsidy.

Fee free of charge

If you have been exempted from the cost contribution, you must inform the BAMF immediately if:

• You are no longer granted benefits or assistance,
• the amount of your gross salary exceeds the values applicable to you or
• the circumstances that led to the assumption of unreasonable hardship have ceased to exist.