Starting up a new life in a new country is never easy. Not only do you have to learn the language, but you also have to find your way around in everyday life. Refugees, in particular, face many difficulties because they have not been able to prepare themselves for life in the new country. That is why in Germany, the so-called "Initial Orientation Courses" ("Erstorientierungskurse") are organised. In an initial orientation course, you can learn your first words and sentences in German and will receive essential information about life in Germany. For example, you will learn how to call an ambulance in an emergency or can familiarise yourself with customs and traditions in Germany.
Important: Many refugees can start an Integration Course ("Integrationskurs") straight away. You can find out more about these courses in our "Integration courses" chapter. "Erstorientierungskurse" is for refugees who cannot participate directly in Integration courses.
You may participate in an Initial Orientation Courses" ("Erstorientierungskurse") if you meet all of the following four requirements:
- You have applied for asylum but do not come from a country with a reasonable prospect of staying ("guter Bleibeperspektive"). Countries the citizens of which have good prospects of staying in Germany currently are Eritrea, Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan. Please note: Asylum seekers with good prospects of staying are eligible to attend an integration course directly. If that is not possible, they can take part in an initial orientation course instead as an exceptional measure.
- You do not come from a safe country of origin. Currently, all member states of the European Union, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Senegal and Serbia are considered safe countries of origin.
- The authorities have not yet decided on your asylum application.
- You are not required to go to school. In Germany, everyone is required to go to school from the age of 6 up to a maximum of 18 years.
In addition, people who fled Ukraine after February 24, 2022, and can apply for a residence permit according to Section 24 of the Residence Act are currently allowed to participate in an Initial Orientation Course.
Others may only take part in an Initial Orientation Course in exceptional cases. For instance, when there are free places available. You can inquire directly from the organisations that offer Initial Orientation Courses. To find Initial Orientation Courses nearby, see the section "How Can I Find an Initial Orientation Course nearby?".
No. Although the lessons are in German, you do not need prior knowledge of the German language. The teachers speak basic German and use plenty of pictures and other materials during the sessions.
Participation in an Initial Orientation Course is free. You only have to pay for your commuting expenses.
In an Initial Orientation Course, you will learn things useful for your everyday life in Germany, for instance, how to call an ambulance in an emergency or buy a ticket for the train. Or how you introduce yourself or which sentences you need in the supermarket or other stores. During the course, you will visit important places with your teacher and other participants, such as the Immigration Office, the city library or shops. You will also learn essential words and phrases in German.
Course teachers decide precisely how to run the course and what to teach. That means each course may differ to some extent.
There is no exam or language test at the end of the Initial Orientation Course. However, you can ask the course provider for a language test. Keep in mind that you usually have to pay for the test.
No, you do not have to participate in an Initial Orientation Course. There is no attendance obligation, so participation is voluntary. That means you would not face a penalty if you don't attend the course or miss a session (for example, because you're sick or have a doctor's appointment).
Important: Although participation is voluntary, you should try to attend all sessions – this is how you can benefit from the course the most.
You can register directly with an Initial Orientation Course provider. See the section "Where can I find an Initial Orientation Course nearby?" to find a course provider nearby. Ask the staff what documents you need for registration. If you need help, contact a counselling centre for support. You can find nearby counselling centres' addresses on the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees website. If you are under 27, seek help from the Youth Migration Service. Their staff often speak various languages.
The Initial Orientation Course takes between 3 and 4 months to finish. The number of sessions per week and the duration of each session varies from course to course.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has compiled a list of all available Initial Orientation Courses. You will find the names and addresses of all course providers throughout Germany (in German) on their list. You can download the current list from the BAMF website.
No, there is no childcare available, so you need to arrange for childcare yourself. If you cannot find any, contact your teacher or course provider and seek help. They will advise you on where to find childcare in your area. You can also ask the Youth Migration Service staff for support. The employees often speak various languages. You can find a counselling centre nearby at jugendmigrationsdienste.de.
Yes, you don't have to stay with the same provider and can switch to another Initial Orientation Course. To do so, look for another provider in your area. To find out where you can find other available Initial Orientation Courses nearby, see the section "Where can I find an Initial Orientation Course nearby?".
Unfortunately, Initial Orientation Courses do not offer specific support for people who cannot read or write well. Some providers, however, offer extra courses or support for these people. It is best to ask the staff of the course provider.
You cannot have an interpreter accompany you during your Initial Orientation Course. But don't worry, you will be able to follow the lesson well even without an interpreter. And if you have any questions, you can seek help from your teacher.
Social Mentoring in Germany
When you are new in Germany, suddenly, everything might seem foreign and disorientating. Wondering how you should navigate your new life? There are many counselling centres supported by various organisations that offer you help, for instance, to do your paperwork or solve legal issues. That is great support, but nothing can replace personal connections. To have someone who accompanies you over a longer period of time and supports you with everyday questions and appointments is much better. A person with whom you can also talk and spend your free time; someone who might even make you feel like a friend and family. But where do you find such a person? Social mentoring programmes are a great option to try. These programmes are voluntary and provide their service free of charge.
Good to know: Even if you have been in Germany for a long time, you can benefit from the many advantages of mentoring programmes to seek support or pass on your knowledge about life in Germany to those seeking support.
Integration Courses
If you have recently arrived in Germany, you may find that the language is one of the biggest challenges to face. In order to interact with German authorities, study at university, do vocational training or find a job, you often need to be able to communicate in German. Knowing German also facilitate your settling down in Germany and enables you to connect to other German-speakers on a personal level.
In an integration course, not only you will acquire the language, but also learn quite a lot about German culture and society. In this page, you can find out what exactly an integration course is and whether you can take part in it – you will also learn about the offices which can potentially cover the respective costs.
Learning German
There are various ways to learn German and improve your proficiency, even if you are not (yet) allowed to attend an integration- or vocational language course. Here we show you which possibilities you have to learn the German language cost-free or at an affordable cost.
German Basic Law
*** May 23, 2024, marks the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law, that is, the German constitution, which is the basis of our coexistence in a free and democratic constitutional state. The Basic Law was promulgated in 1949. In the aftermath of the atrocious crimes committed during National Socialist tyranny, the creators of the Basic Law decided that human dignity should be paramount in the new law; so that nothing like the Nazi era ever happens again in Germany. You can learn more about the Basic Law in our video series: „Was wäre wenn?“ ***
The Basic Law or "Grundgesetz" is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. It includes the most fundamental rights that determine the way society is organised in Germany. No other law may contradict the Basic Law. For instance, the Asylum Act or the Criminal Law may not contain any ordinances which conflict with the Basic Law. The Basic Law is the most prominent body of law in Germany, hence stands above all others.
The Basic Law consists of 146 sections, i.e. "articles". The first 19 articles of the Basic Law contain the so-called "fundamental rights", i.e. the most significant human rights vis-à-vis the state, designed to protect the individual from despotism, injustice and violence from the state. Some of these fundamental rights, also referred to as "human rights", apply to everyone in Germany, regardless of residence status. The Basic Law also includes a set of other rights, referred to as "civil rights", which only apply to people who have German citizenship.
Established in West Germany in 1949, The Basic Law has been applying to all of Germany since the reunification of 1990. Many of the principles included are consequences of violations of human rights during the National Socialist dictatorship between 1933 and 1945. Fundamental rights have been given a central position in the Basic Law to ensure the atrocities of Nazi times cannot happen again.
The Federal Constitutional Court is in charge of monitoring and assuring compliance with the Basic Law. The government cannot simply amend it.
Youth Migration Service (JMD) provides counselling to young migrants (under 27) and their parents on a variety of topics in different languages.
On this flyer published by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, you can find the most important information about the Initial Orientation Course. The flyer is available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Russian and Ukrainian.