Apply for travel cost allowance for integration courses

If you attend an integration course, you can receive a travel cost subsidy under certain conditions.

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

You can receive a travel cost subsidy for attending an integration course if your home is at least 5 kilometers away from the course location. It is considered reasonable for you to walk distances of under 5 kilometers. If, for health reasons, you are unable to walk the distance to the integration course provider that is less than 5 kilometers, you can receive a travel cost subsidy by submitting a medical certificate.

You can receive the travel allowance if you do not have to pay the costs for the integration course yourself. You will either receive a fixed amount of money

• per course section or
• per course day.

This essentially depends on which means of transport you use.  

You must submit your application in good time before the start of the course. As a rule, you will receive the travel cost subsidy starting from the course section that begins after your application. Retroactive payment for the period before your application is generally not possible.

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

• You are receiving a flat-rate travel allowance for specific course sections.
• You can use the same ticket after you move.
• The distance to the course location is still more than 5 kilometers.

In this case, you simply inform the BAMF of your new address.

You can apply for the travel cost subsidy online via the federal administration portal or in writing to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Online application

• You open the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de and log in with:
  • the online ID function of your ID card,
  • the electronic residence permit,
  • the eID for EU citizens or
  • using the ELSTER certificate from your online tax office (via BundID) 
• Please fill out the application.
• Upload scanned copies of the required documents.
• Submit your application. 
• The regional office of the BAMF is reviewing your application. 
• You will receive a notice by mail or electronically informing you that your application has been approved or denied.

Written application

• Go to the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and open the application form.
• You can optionally use the form
  • fill out on screen or
  • download it and then fill it out. 
• Print out the form and sign it.
• Send the form with the necessary documents by mail to your responsible regional office of the BAMF.
• The regional office of the BAMF is reviewing your application.
• You will receive a notice by mail stating whether your application has been approved or rejected.

You must submit the application in good time before the start of the course in order to receive the subsidy.

There are no costs.

• Objection

You can find further information on how to file an appeal in the notice.

• administrative lawsuit