Automatically translated with AI
This page was automatically translated using AI and serves as an additional aid and service. For legally binding content, please use the German page.
About the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is a fund of the Republic of Austria that supports asylum seekers, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, displaced persons and immigrants as a central point of contact for integration in Austria.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) was founded in 1960 by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) under the name "United Nations Refugee Fund." The fund's establishment was closely linked to the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 and the resulting refugee movement. The ÖIF, whose original purpose was to provide housing for refugees, was separated from the BMI in 1991. Since 1998, the ÖIF has been responsible for integration assistance under the Asylum Act, and since 2017, for the comprehensive implementation of integration measures under the Integration Act. Since 2021, the ÖIF has coordinated state-funded German language courses for refugees throughout Austria, and since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, also for displaced persons from Ukraine in Austria.
As the central point of contact for asylum seekers, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, displaced persons from Ukraine, and immigrants seeking integration in Austria and German language learning, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers a comprehensive range of integration measures through its own integration centers in all state capitals. Since June 2017, the Integration Act has defined key framework conditions for the integration of people settling in Austria long-term. Within the scope of its legal mandates under the Asylum and Integration Act, the ÖIF offers the following services:
- Orientation consultations
- Values and orientation courses as well as
- German courses and integration exams
In addition to the measures stipulated in the Integration Act, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers a wide range of further integration services to support the linguistic, professional, and social integration of refugees, displaced persons, and immigrants in Austria. These include in-depth integration courses, excursions, and topic-specific seminars with experts on subjects such as education and employment, health and family, as well as self-determination and violence prevention. With two women's centers in Vienna and Graz, the ÖIF focuses specifically on strengthening and promoting women with a migration background through multilingual counseling, educational programs, and information events. Through its integration service for skilled workers, the ÖIF supports qualified immigrants and companies with individual consultations, industry-specific German courses, and continuing education programs. The ÖIF regularly organizes professional development programs with seminars on relevant integration topics for practitioners in the integration, social, and education sectors, as well as for representatives of companies.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is a fund established under the Federal Foundations and Funds Act 2015, possessing its own legal personality and specific mandates defined in a series of federal and state laws. The ÖIF's activities are subject to oversight by an independent supervisory board and other control bodies, including the fund auditor (an independent certified public accountant) and the fund authority. Its financial management is subject to audit by the Austrian Court of Audit.
Integration Act
According to the Integration Act, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is the central federal institution for implementing language and integration measures. The ÖIF offers German courses for asylum seekers, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and displaced persons from Ukraine, starting from the age of 15, and develops the corresponding course curricula.
Other tasks include the certification of course providers, the administration of German and integration tests, and the legally required notification to the Public Employment Service (AMS) and social welfare agencies about the participation and cooperation status of course participants.
Furthermore, the ÖIF is responsible for the values and orientation courses, the processing of the integration declaration and the implementation of the integration agreement for third-country nationals.
Excerpts from the statutory mandates
- Asylum Act 2005: Orientation counselling and obligation to report to the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA)
- Recognition and Assessment Act: Operation of the recognition portal www.berufsanerkennung.at
- Non- profit Housing Act: German language tests for housing eligibility
- Integration Year Act: Values and orientation courses for the target group of the Integration Year Act
- Article 15a B-VG Elementary Education: Observations in childcare facilities
- Operating regulations for passenger transport: Language tests for taxi drivers
Around 500 employees work at the ÖIF's locations throughout Austria. We are proud of the diversity of our employees, their team spirit and cohesion, as well as their strong commitment to successful integration in Austria.
With its diverse teams, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) reflects the diversity of society. We embrace diversity and demonstrate that success is possible in Austria – regardless of origin, gender, language, or age.
All publications of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), as well as figures, data, and facts on integration and migration, can be found in the media library and on our integration data website.Order print publications via our order service. Furthermore, through the ÖIF you have the option of having ÖIF publications sent to your home.