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BAMF procedures

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF)

7 official procedures available

The BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) is the central federal authority for asylum procedures, integration courses, vocational language courses and the promotion of integration in Germany. It is based in Nuremberg and operates branch offices in all federal states.

The integration course (700 hours of language instruction + 100 hours of orientation, target level: B1) is the central integration offer. Cost: €2.29 per teaching hour (free of charge if you receive social assistance or Bürgergeld, the citizen’s benefit). Service centre: 0911 943-0.

Last updated 27 August 2026
Competent authority Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
Verification Checked by AmtsDeutschland.de
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information site: We are not the BAMF, not an authority and not a paid advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent body is always authoritative. All information without guarantee. We are neither solicitors nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.
All official procedures

Available services

Choose an official procedure to see the complete guide with requirements, costs and official links.

Integration & language

In person
Integration course registration
600 hours of language instruction + 100 hours of orientation — target level B1
  • Cost: €2.29/hour (exemption possible)
  • Duration: approx. 6–12 months
  • If you reach B1: 50% reimbursement possible
Complete guide
In person
Vocational language course (DeuFöV)
B2/C1 level — specialist language for the profession
  • Cost: income-dependent — many pay nothing
  • B2: approx. 400–500 hours
  • Specialist courses: nursing, university graduates, technical professions
Complete guide
In person
Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ, German language test for immigrants)
Final test — result A2 or B1
  • Cost: free of charge (part of the integration course)
  • Reading, listening, writing, speaking
  • If you reach A2: repetition only for certain course types
Complete guide
In person
Naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest)
33 questions — 17 correct to pass
  • Cost: €25
  • 60 minutes, multiple choice
  • Can be repeated as often as needed
Complete guide

Asylum & residence

In person
Submitting an asylum application
In person at the BAMF — hearing
  • Costs: free of charge
  • Time limit for lodging an action: 2 weeks, in some cases 1 week
  • Free asylum procedure advice
Complete guide
In person
Return advice (REAG/GARP)
Voluntary return — travel costs + start-up assistance
  • Free of charge — level of support depends on country of origin
  • Confidential and open-ended
  • returningfromgermany.de
Complete guide

Recognition of professional qualifications

In writing
Recognition of foreign vocational qualifications
The BAMF provides advice — the decision is made by the competent body
  • Cost: depends on the competent body
  • 3 months once documents are complete
  • Recognition grant of up to €600
Complete guide

Useful information

Service centre 0911 943-0
bamf.de
Central information line for all BAMF services
Integration course 700 + 100 teaching hours
Target: German language proficiency level B1
Free of charge if you receive Bürgergeld/social assistance
Einbürgerungstest (naturalisation test) €25, 33 questions
17 correct = passed
All questions published online
Vocational recognition Advice free of charge
anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
Hotline: 030 1815-1111
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the BAMF

What does an integration course cost?

The personal contribution is €2.29 per teaching hour (around €1,832 in total for 800 hours). Free of charge if you receive Bürgergeld or social assistance. If you pass the DTZ at B1 level: 50% reimbursement on application to the BAMF.

How many questions does the Einbürgerungstest have?

33 multiple-choice questions (30 from the general catalogue + 3 on the federal state). 17 correct = passed. Duration: 60 minutes. Fee: €25. All 310 + 10 questions are published online.

What is the difference between an integration course and a vocational language course?

The integration course leads to B1 (everyday language, 800 hours). The vocational language course (DeuFöV) builds on this and leads to B2/C1 (occupation-specific language, 400–500 hours).

How long does the asylum procedure take?

This cannot be reliably reduced to a single figure. The duration depends on the country of origin, the type of procedure and the determination of jurisdiction; since the reformed Common European Asylum System (GEAS) became applicable on 12 June 2026, older average figures are also no longer comparable. What is time-critical is something else: after a notice (Bescheid) has been served, the time limit for lodging an action is two weeks, and in certain cases only one week. Which time limit applies is stated in the instructions on legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung).

Do I have to have my profession recognised?

For regulated professions (doctors, nursing, teachers, engineers): yes, mandatory. For non-regulated professions (IT, business occupations): voluntary, but recommended. Advice free of charge: 030 1815-1111.

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