Overview
- Union and SPD leaders reached a deal Tuesday that ends the blanket ban on voluntary participants and restarts access from June 1 under a capped system.
- The government will limit spending to about €600 million a year, creating a set number of state-funded places for people who join by choice.
- Priority will go to people with temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act, especially many Ukrainians, and to EU citizens seen as important for the labor market.
- Asylum applicants and tolerated migrants will no longer join the full courses and will instead get expanded starter classes from November that teach basics and fewer hours.
- How many people actually get seats now depends on the coming budget talks and on how the migration office and course providers roll out the new rules.