Why many immigrants leave Germany again

Why many immigrants leave Germany again July 6, 2026"Anyone who wants to shape immigration successfully must also understand emigration," said Laura Goßner of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) at a press conference in Berlin. The organization conducted an online survey of people aged 18 to 65 who had immigrated to Germany before April 2025, asking them why they had left the country again and which factors had influenced their decision. The researchers found that emigration is not driven by any single factor. Family-related reasons, in particular, play a major role. Experiences of discrimination were also cited. Many of the contributing factors, such as bureaucracy, housing, and language acquisition, can be influenced by public policy. Who is most likely to leave Germany again? "On average, emigrants are younger. They have spent less time in Germany and are more likely to have partners and children living abroad. They are also less likely to be proficient in German but more likely to have a good command of English," explained IAB expert Theresa Koch. While 60% of emigrants return to their home countries, 40% move on to other destinations. The most popular destinations are Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Croatia. "We are competing with other European countries for skilled workers," said Yuliya Kosyakova, Head of the Research Department on Migration, Integration and International Labour Market Research at the Institute for Employment Research. Bureaucracy is one of the main drivers of emigration Emigrants criticize well-known things about Germany: lengthy processing times for naturalization applications, residence permits, visas, and the recognition of foreign qualifications. They often face long waits for responses from the authorities. High administrative fees are another common source of frustration. A further point of criticism is the lack of support for career development, whether from job centers, local authorities, or employers. All of this makes long-term planning, access to employment, and a sense of belonging in Germany more difficult, says Laura Goßner. Administrative procedures influence "how immigrants assess their future in Germany. When procedures are perceived as lengthy, confusing, or difficult to access, this can affect people's prospects of staying," the IAB expert explains. "We find that immigrants who view such procedures more negatively, on average, less likely to feel welcome in Germany." Language remains key to success in the German labor market Tilman Frank is the Chairman of the Federal Association for International Skilled Labor Recruitment (Bundesverband internationale Fachkräftegewinnung e.V.) is also the Managing Director of TalentOrange GmbH, a company that has recruited and supported thousands of nurses, childcare workers, and physiotherapists for positions in Germany. Frank tells DW that he knows why many people decide to pack their bags again after only a short time in the country: language is the key to finding one's way in Germany, particularly in the labor market, he explains. "It becomes problematic when the path to Germany is flawed from the outset - when language acquisition is not adequately supported. If these elements are not in place, the likelihood that these people will return home is relatively high. However,for people who are sufficiently prepared for life in Germany, retention rates are very high," Frank says. Elderly care workers are still in demand — but is the training a good fit? According to Frank, people from Kenya, India, and Vietnam are currently making particularly strong efforts to establish themselves in Germany. Kenya's labor ministry actively encourages young unemployed people to seek opportunities abroad. In India and Vietnam, many parents see vocational training opportunities in Germany as highly attractive for their children. Demand for skilled labor from abroad remains especially strong inelderly care. Tilman Frank is therefore calling on the German government to support German-language instruction in migrants' countries of origin. "Attempts to come to Germany without any knowledge of German are not sustainable in the long run. International degree programs taught in English are a good example — people hope this will enable them to work in Germany. But it doesn't." One reason for emigration may also be that immigrants are not employed in roles that match their qualifications: "For example, people trained in acute hospital care in their home countries may end up working in nursing homes providing basic care in Germany, without this having been clearly communicated to them in advance," Frank explains. A new approach: 'Work and Stay' agencies Frank, says that policymakers now also recognize that international skilled workers must not only come to Germany, but stay as well. His conclusion is that Germany offers a mix of strengths and shortcomings. "The Federal Employment Agency has introduced a centralized system that is faster and more reliable. The state of Hesse is establishing a central immigration authority, and there are also plans to create a federal 'Work and Stay' agency." "Operationally, however, staff shortages at public authorities continue to make many aspects of the system more difficult. We are making progress with digitalization, but only slowly and through piecemeal initiatives by individual states and municipalities. What is still lacking is a comprehensive, nationwide solution." This article has been translated from German.