Integration courses in Germany not only help immigrants learn the German language, but also learn more about the country’s history, culture, and legal system.

You can receive a travel allowance to attend an integration course if your home is at least 5 kilometers away from the course location. It is reasonable to expect you to walk distances of less than 5 kilometers. If, for health reasons, you are unable to walk the distance to the integration course provider—which is less than 5 kilometers—you can receive a travel allowance by submitting a doctor’s note.

You are eligible for the travel allowance if you are not required to pay the costs of the integration course yourself. You will receive either a fixed amount

• per course segment or
• per course day.

This depends largely on which mode of transportation you use.  

You must submit your application in a timely manner before the course begins. You will generally receive the travel allowance starting with the course segment that begins after you submit your application. Retroactive payment for the period prior to your application is generally not possible.

If you move or the course location changes, you generally must submit a new application. You do not need to submit a new application if the following conditions apply:

• You receive a course-section-based flat-rate travel allowance.
• You can continue to use the same ticket after moving.
• The distance to the course location is still more than 5 kilometers.

In this case, simply notify the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) of your new address.