Overview
- A coalition deal announced Tuesday ends the blanket stop and restores limited, state-funded places from June 1.
- The government intends to cap annual spending at about €600 million, creating a budget-tied contingent whose size will be set in upcoming budget talks.
- Priority within the contingent goes to people with temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act, notably Ukrainians, and to selected EU nationals needed in the labor market.
- Asylum seekers and tolerated migrants will largely be steered away from full courses, with shorter Erstorientierungskurse of about 300 teaching units slated to expand from November.
- The shift follows a surge in costs from under €500 million in 2021 to roughly €1.3 billion in 2025, a rise that sparked criticism of February’s blanket stop and pressure to protect targeted language access.