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The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides German language courses throughout Austria, from literacy to C1 level, for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and Ukrainian displaced persons, in accordance with the Integration Act. These courses are offered by certified providers according to uniform, legally standardized quality standards across Austria. The ÖIF thus enables all eligible individuals to quickly access a suitable German language course.
The Austrian Integration Fund's (ÖIF) German language course program is a key component of the federal government's integration measures. From literacy to language level C1, German courses are planned, implemented, and implemented throughout Austria with quality assurance. Nationwide coordination ensures that a needs-based range of courses is available in all federal states, that course places are allocated quickly, and that uniform quality standards apply. At the same time, central management guarantees the efficient and responsible use of public funds. In addition to in-person courses, digital learning resources and – if needed – individualized support options are available.
Who is eligible for funding?
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), on behalf of the federal government, promotes German language courses for the target groups defined in the Integration Act. These include:
- Refugees
- beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
- Displaced persons from Ukraine
Eligible participants are individuals aged 15 and over with the aforementioned residence permits and legal residence in Austria, whose status was granted on or after January 1, 2015. Subject to available resources, asylum seekers with a high probability of being granted asylum may also participate in German language courses.
Which courses are eligible for funding?
German language courses from literacy level up to level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are subsidized. If needed, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers part-time courses during off-peak hours as well as courses with childcare.
In addition to in-person courses , online German courses are available from course providers. These are equivalent to in-person courses, are based on the ÖIF framework curricula, and allow for flexible participation – especially for those who are employed or have caregiving responsibilities.
All courses funded by the ÖIF are based on nationally standardized course curricula. In addition to German language instruction, the courses also include content on values and orientation in Austria. From language level A2 onwards, an ÖIF integration exam is required as the course completion. German courses and exams are free of charge for eligible participants.
Legal framework
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides German language course funding based on the Integration Act and other relevant federal regulations. The Integration Act governs rights and obligations in the integration process and mandates language and integration measures for asylum seekers and those granted subsidiary protection. As a central federal institution, the ÖIF is responsible for implementing, coordinating, and administering the German language course funding program and ensures uniform implementation across Germany.
Quality assurance
All subsidized German language courses are subject to uniform quality standards across Austria. These standards pertain in particular to the qualifications of the German language instructors, the implementation of the curricula, the documentation of course progress, and regular evaluations. The courses are conducted based on the framework curricula developed by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and are continuously reviewed. Standardized monitoring and binding guidelines ensure a comparable and legally standardized quality of subsidized German language courses throughout Austria.
Funding programs
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides German language course funding through the "Startpaket Deutsch & Integration" (German & Integration Starter Package) program. The standardized program structure ensures transparent processes, efficient use of funds, and a comparable quality of German language courses across Austria.
In addition to regular German course funding, individual fundingis available if no suitable regular German course is available in a region due to insufficient demand, or if participation is not possible for personal reasons. In such cases, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) covers the costs of a single German course place with a provider on the open market.
Award
Since 2023, German language courses have been awarded through the nationwide "Startpaket Deutsch & Integration" program, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Procurement Act. The public tender process is conducted transparently by Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BBG), the purchasing service provider of the Republic of Austria, based on the best-value principle, with equal consideration given to quality and price.
This ensures that qualified course providers are commissioned, that uniform quality standards are maintained nationwide, and that public funds are used efficiently and responsibly. At the same time, the tendering process guarantees fair competition and ongoing quality control of the German language courses offered.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) ensures the quality of the German language courses it commissions through a comprehensive quality assurance system. This system begins before the course starts with the selection of course providers and continues throughout the entire course until successful completion. Legal requirements, nationwide uniform standards, and ongoing monitoring work together to guarantee comparable quality of German language course funding across Austria.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) continuously monitors the quality of its German language courses through standardized evaluations and written surveys. In 2025, approximately 700 courses were evaluated, and an external evaluation institute surveyed 350 teachers and 3,400 participants. The results serve to ensure the ongoing quality and further development of the German language courses and simultaneously demonstrate their high level of acceptance and effectiveness.
- Supplement to the framework curriculum for literacy courses (PDF, 174 KB)
- Everyday basic communication Alpha level (PDF, 157 KB)
- Everyday basic communication A1 (PDF, 202 KB)
- Framework curriculum A1 (PDF, 269 KB)
- Framework curriculum A2 (PDF, 265 KB)
- Framework curriculum B1 (PDF, 288 KB)
- Framework curriculum B2 (PDF, 256 KB)
- Framework curriculum C1 (PDF, 322 KB)
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) promotes German language courses for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and displaced persons from Ukraine. Eligible individuals are those aged 15 and over with legal residence in Austria whose status was granted on or after January 1, 2015. Subject to available resources, asylum seekers with a high probability of being granted asylum may also participate.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) promotes German courses from literacy to language level C1. In addition to in-person courses, online German courses are available, as well as, if needed, courses for working professionals during off-peak hours and courses with childcare.
ÖIF German courses are offered at approximately 250 locations throughout Austria. Online German courses are also available.
Standardized digital assessments determine individual language levels. This allows participants to be assigned to a suitable course based on their German language skills.
All subsidized German courses are based on nationally standardized ÖIF framework curricula. In addition to German language skills , knowledge of values and orientation, as well as basic digital skills, are also taught.
The Integration Act stipulates mandatory language and integration measures for refugees and those granted subsidiary protection. For subsidized German courses, there are binding requirements for participation and cooperation.
In accordance with the Integration Act, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) promotes German language courses for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and Ukrainian displaced persons. These courses are offered by adult education providers. Providers offering ÖIF-funded German courses must be certified by the ÖIF. As part of the certification process, the ÖIF verifies the necessary reliability regarding the organization and delivery of high-quality German courses, including the associated financial management, in accordance with the Integration Act Implementing Regulations. Additionally, the ÖIF conducts site visits to each provider's registered premises to assess their suitability for conducting courses and examinations.
As part of the German & Integration starter package, comprehensive suitability and award criteria are additionally defined and checked in the tendering procedure, which must be adhered to throughout the entire implementation.
Quality assurance for German language courses offered by course providers is a multi-stage process that includes both measures implemented by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and external audits. These include:
- Valid teaching license and completion of mandatory qualifications
- Event-driven verification of the required C1 language proficiency level for teachers
- Unannounced on-site inspections in ongoing courses (including review of the implementation of the ÖIF framework curricula, teaching material documentation, and the teaching of values and
(Orientation knowledge, self-study plans, materials used, administrative duties) - Random checks of documentation requirements: attendance recording, correct course setup, documentation of course completions, correct administration of dropouts/exclusions/deregistrations
In addition, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) regularly surveys both participants and teachers in its German courses regarding the quality and organization of the courses and incorporates this feedback into the further development of the German courses. In the last survey, 85% of participants rated the courses with high satisfaction.
If a suitable regular German course cannot be offered in a region due to insufficient demand, individual fundingis available. In this case, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) covers the costs of a single German course place with a provider on the open market. This ensures that a suitable German course place is always available for eligible individuals.