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The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) generally provides funding for German language courses through the "Startpaket Deutsch & Integration" (German & Integration Start Package) program. This ensures clear procedures, efficient use of funds, and a comparable quality of German language courses across Austria.
In addition to regular German course funding, there is the option of individual funding. This comes into play if a regular German course cannot be offered in a region due to insufficient demand, or if participation in the regular program is not possible for personal reasons. In these cases, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) covers the costs of an individual German course place with a certified provider on the open market. In this way, the ÖIF ensures that every eligible person receives a suitable German course place within a short time.
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 can be subsidized as part of individual support:
- from literacy to language level C1
- according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- which take place at course institutes certified by the ÖIF or at Austrian universities of applied sciences or universities that have concluded a direct billing agreement with the ÖIF
Funding is provided on a subsidiary basis if no suitable course is available within the framework of the "Startpaket Deutsch & Integration" funding program, and is subject to the availability of funds. The ÖIF and the course provider handle the billing directly.