Filiz Polat, the parliamentary group leader for the Green party, has strongly criticized the planned reduction in federal funds allocated for integration courses, demanding that the federal government reverse the decision. The budget for the Federal Ministry of the Interior currently allocates only €590 million for these courses in 2027, which is nearly half of the amount dedicated in 2026, when the budget stood at one billion euros.
Reports from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” cited, indicate that the €590 million reserved for the upcoming year will only be sufficient to fund 150,000 participants. This contrasts sharply with the over 400,000 people who participated in the courses in 2025, although final figures for 2026 are not yet available.
The Green party’s migration expert, Polat, sharply criticized the cut, stating, “Despite participants, providers, and businesses raising alarms for half a year, the Federal Ministry of the Interior continues to tighten the integration course offering. This deliberate reduction via the budget is another attack by Minister Dobrindt on integration courses. One cannot cut language acquisition while announcing an immediate employment plan.” She emphasized that language proficiency is fundamental to acquiring employment.
Polat further insisted that to correct Minister Dobrindt’s course, the SPD and the Union must ensure sufficient funding and secure adequate course slots during the Bundestag debate. The Greens view the situation as a “systematic reversal of integration policy progress made in recent years.”
According to the program, the courses are primarily available to immigrants with a prospect of remaining long-term in the country. However, refugees from Ukraine and EU citizens are also permitted to participate. The budget plan for the Federal Ministry of the Interior is scheduled to be debated in the Bundestag this Thursday.
