With a score of 61/100 for 2024, Germany’s integration policies are ranked as slightly favourable. The main weakness in Germany’s integration approach is the presence of great obstacles for immigrants attempting to reunite with their families or to access justice as victims of discrimination. At a time when integration scores across the EU are rather stagnant - with the exceptions of Spain (+4 pts), Croatia (+5 pts), Slovenia (+4 pts), and Portugal (+2 pts) -, a three-point increase in Germany’s score is commendable.

Germany’s integration policies are ranked by the 2023/24 MIPEX core indicators as nearly ‘slightly favourable’, but only for ‘temporary integration’. Germany’s ‘temporary integration’ approach is similar to its neighbouring Western European countries. Among these, Germany offers greater rights and support for equal opportunities than neighbouring Austria, Denmark and Switzerland.

A country’s integration policies matter because the way that governments treat immigrants strongly influences how well immigrants and the public interact with and perceive each other. Drawing on 130 independent scientific studies using MIPEX, integration policies emerge as one of the strongest factors shaping not only the public’s willingness to accept and interact with immigrants, but also immigrants’ own attitudes, sense of belonging, participation and even health in their new home country.

Internationally, the ‘Top Ten’ MIPEX countries with comprehensive policies treat immigrants as equals, neighbours and potential citizens, and invest in integration as a two-way process for society. Germany’s policies are less comprehensive when compared to other Nordic countries, neighbouring Belgium and Luxembourg, or traditional destination countries. More broadly, Germany can learn from all its neighbours: from Nordic countries’ approaches to residence policies, education and political participation, from France and Benelux countries on access to nationality and anti-discrimination, and from Austria and Switzerland on migrant health policies.

• Labour market mobility: Favourable: Ranked as one of the top countries in this area, Germany supports equal opportunities for non-EU immigrants to progress into stable, quality employment. In 2020 a new law on the immigration of qualified workers came into effect, making it easier for foreign professionals with certain qualifications, vocational graduates, and those seeking vocational training to immigrate. The law also introduced expedited procedures for degree recognition under some conditions. Additionally, it improved access to the EU Blue Card, which was previously limited to individuals with higher education degrees. The minimum salary requirement for the Blue Card was lowered, extending eligibility to a broader range of professions, such as IT specialists and other in-demand occupations. Thanks to these changes, according to Eurostat data for 2023, Germany issued the majority of all EU Blue Cards in the EU (69 353 or 77.9% of all EU Blue Cards issued) and the highest number of authorisations for students, researchers and other related categories (144 464 or 32.0%). The law also relaxed the requirements for foreign residents seeking self-employment, though certain conditions still apply, including the requirement to demonstrate an economic need for the service or product and to secure sufficient financial resources to launch the business. In terms of the remaining weaknesses in this area, not all temporary residents enjoy immediate access to the labour market, vocational training, or public sector jobs. 
• Family reunification: Halfway favourable: Germany’s family reunification policies are quite restrictive, with strict requirements regarding waiting periods, sponsor eligibility, grounds for rejection, status withdrawal or non-renewal, financial stability, and language proficiency. These barriers make family reunification one of the weakest areas of Germany’s immigration policies. Under the new law on the immigration of qualified workers, spouses must demonstrate A1-level German proficiency, while children under the age of 16 are exempt from language requirements. However, children aged 16 and older must meet a C1-level German proficiency standard.
• Education: Halfway favourable: Since the 2015/6 large-scale migrant arrivals, education policies have slightly improved as a priority for integration policies in Germany. Through greater federal and state standards and guidance, Germany has gone halfway towards addressing immigrant pupils' specific needs and opportunities at all school levels.  Equal access to higher education, educational guidance at all levels, and tailored measures such as orientation programmes, language assistance, and teacher training remain only partially guaranteed. In 2022, the government approved two packages of measures to enhance educational support for migrants and refugees. Package 1 expands language support with a new German-learning app, introduces volunteer-based teaching assistance, and implements early literacy programmes for refugee children in reception centres. Package 2 improves access to higher education by strengthening language support, counselling, and subject-specific assistance. It also creates 10 000 additional spots in study colleges, over four years, to help foreign nationals qualify for university admission.
• Health: Slightly favourable: Germany’s approach to migrant health changed little in recent years and remains average for Western European/OECD countries. While Germany's healthcare services have made progress in addressing the specific needs of migrant patients, state and federal policies still lack a comprehensive approach to effectively ensure access to healthcare for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. For instance, since social offices are required to inform the foreign office about health services provided to undocumented migrants, many are reluctant to seek medical care for fear of deportation. On a positive note, the number of migrants and refugees working in healthcare professions has been increasing, supported by targeted programmes aimed at enhancing their training, integration, and language skills. Additionally, government support for research on migrant health has also been growing.
• Political participation: Slightly favourable: There have been no significant policy changes in this area in recent years. With an approach similar to most Western European countries, Germany’s policies to consult and support immigrant civil society may not be sufficient to close the gaps in political participation, unless greater action is taken for ongoing information, immigrant-led structures, local voting rights and/or naturalisation. More inclusive policies could help to close the democratic deficit in political participation, engagement, trust and satisfaction between immigrants and the general public.
• Permanent residence: Halfway favourable: Like most Western European/OECD countries, Germany only goes halfway towards facilitating the path to permanent residence and securing socio-economic rights. Germany has traditionally set higher standards for migrants in terms of language proficiency and economic self-sufficiency compared to other countries. However, recent policy changes have eased these requirements for some groups, namely tolerated migrants (Duldung status holders) and professionally qualified workers, making it easier for them to obtain legal status and long-term residence. A new law enacted in 2022 allows individuals holding Duldung status who have lived in Germany for at least five years to apply for an 18-month residence permit. If, during this period, they meet specific conditions—such as achieving A2-level German proficiency, securing employment, and clarifying their identity—they can obtain permanent residency. Moreover, the previously mentioned law on the immigration of qualified workers grants permanent residence to qualified immigrant workers after four years of residence in Germany provided they meet certain conditions, including a B1-level proficiency in German, stable employment, and contributions to social insurance. Lighter linguistic and economic requirements apply to specific groups, such as EU Blue Card holders, graduates of vocational or academic programmes in Germany, highly qualified individuals (e.g., scientists with a strong track record), and those holding a residence permit for self-employment.
• Access to nationality: Slightly favourable: Since 1999, permanent residents face a clear but demanding path to German citizenship. A new citizenship reform, effective from 2024, introduces several progressive changes to the naturalisation process. The residency requirement has been reduced from eight to five years, and in cases of significant integration achievement - such as volunteer work or outstanding vocational, educational, or professional accomplishments - naturalisation is possible after just 3 years of residence. Additionally, the new law eases language requirements for specific groups, including individuals aged 67 or older, caregivers, and temporary workers. Similarly to the previous law, applicants must demonstrate sufficient income for themselves and their family, and must not rely on social benefits, with fewer exceptions allowed under the new law. A major positive change introduced by the reform is the allowance for dual citizenship, meaning individuals can now retain their prior citizenship when naturalising. While these changes represent significant improvements, major challenges remain in meeting the strict economic, linguistic, and integration requirements for citizenship.
• Anti-discrimination: Slightly favourable: Germany’s anti-discrimination policies are slightly weaker than the average European country. Some challenges remain, particularly regarding the limited mandate and powers of the equality body. Strengthening these policies could better support victims of discrimination, improve public attitudes, raise awareness, and increase trust in institutions and reporting mechanisms. The EU-MIDIS 2016 survey found that discriminated immigrants in Germany were less likely to know how to report their case to authorities than discriminated immigrants in EU countries with stronger anti-discrimination policies on MIPEX. In 2022, the Anti-Discrimination Law was expanded to include family-related grounds of discrimination for employees. Additionally, in 2023 the newly appointed Government Spokesperson for Anti-Discrimination presented a draft for reforming the law, featuring significant improvements in enforcement mechanisms, as well as broader applications and grounds for anti-discrimination protections.