Recent news from Saxony has prompted questions about the strength of Germany’s commitment to successful integration.
The state’s government – made up of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) – has announced it will halve its funding for integration services for international residents, dropping from €6 million to just €3 million in 2026.
This means that only 21 out of 91 integration projects applying for funding will receive support in the coming year, according to the Saxony Refugee Council (Sächsischer Flüchtlingsrat - SFR).
This includes funding for integration courses, which some immigrants to Germany are obliged to attend when they arrive in the country. At these courses, students learn German and how to navigate everyday scenarios such as visiting the doctor, finding a job or going shopping.
The SFR has called the move by the state government “dangerous for society”.
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Angela Müller, Executive Director of the SFR, warned: “There is a lack of guidance and information for refugees, professionals and volunteers. There are no alternative professional support services.”
A press release from the organisation describes the consequences as, “catastrophic – both for refugees and for society as a whole: counselling, support and networking services are being cut, dedicated professionals are facing unemployment and valuable structures are in danger of disappearing.”
Other voices, including Maike Limprecht from the Dresden Culture Office and Anna WeiĂźig from RosaLinde Leipzig, have also highlighted the threat to social cohesion and the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Federal funding for integration
On the national stage, the story is more complex.
In 2024, federal spending on integration courses topped €1 billion, a dramatic rise from less than €500 million during the pandemic years.
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The extra funding, confirmed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, ensures that integration courses can continue throughout the year, giving both providers and participants a welcome degree of certainty.
Despite the increased budget, however, several planned cuts remain in place. For example, some special formats for parents, women and young people are to be reduced, restructured or merged, and opportunities to repeat courses and access work‑related language support are being restricted – even as demand grows.
Experts and advocacy groups have voiced concern that these cuts could undermine the progress made in recent years.
In 2024, around 363,000 people started an integration course in Germany. In the first four months of 2025 alone, around 122,800 people had already begun one.
Ukrainians have made up the largest single group of participants for the past three years, followed by Syrians and Afghans.
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Research shows that well-funded integration courses benefit everyone.
Analysis by the Immigration Policy Lab in 2024 found that integration courses make a significant difference when it comes to helping refugees find work.
A study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that refugees from Ukraine who attend an integration course see their job prospects improve substantially.
Further research by the same organisation suggests that integration course improve the chances of finding work for women.
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