The federal government, as announced, launched a fundamental decision on Wednesday in the cabinet to draft the planned mandatory integration program for immigrants “from day one.” This will bring, among other things, toughened German courses for those entitled to asylum as well as asylum seekers with a high probability of remaining. The ministerial presentation represents the “starting shot” for the project; implementation will likely take a long time.

The plan was already announced in the government program; the concrete drafting is now to begin. The mandatory integration program is envisaged for three years and will apply to those entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection, displaced persons, and asylum seekers with a high likelihood of recognition. In addition to mandatory German courses including proof of acquired skills, there will be basic rules courses and job-market preparation. Penalties or co-payments are to apply if German courses are not passed.

Concrete timetable still open
A key point is also the reform of social assistance, explained Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) and NEOS parliamentary leader Yannick Shetty at the press foyer after the cabinet meeting. There is no concrete timetable for implementation yet, given the multitude of changes to be made. Plakolm stressed that the government is starting “immediately after this cabinet decision.”

Shetty said they were initiating a paradigm shift and that it must go quickly. “I would ask for understanding, however, that projects as large as social assistance reform must also be well thought out.” In addition to ministries, the federal states, the Austrian Integration Fund and the Employment Service (AMS) are involved in implementation, the government press release states.

Sanctions and waiting periods
Those who refuse to participate in the integration program are to be sanctioned—e.g. by benefit cuts, administrative fines or co-payments for repeating German courses. “Integration is not an offer but an obligation,” said Plakolm. “Those who want to stay here must learn German, seek a job and not only respect our laws but live by them.” And: “Integration is a duty of effort.”

“Full social benefits will be granted only if the integration phase has been successfully completed or if enough fully insured months exist to entitle one to unemployment benefits,” Plakolm noted of a “waiting period of up to three years.” If someone refuses participation, “social benefits can be cut or administrative fines imposed.”

“Integration allowance” instead of social assistance
During the integration phase, there will be an “integration allowance” instead of social assistance, said the integration minister. How high it will be cannot yet be specified. “Incentives will be needed to successfully complete the integration program.”

Social Minister Schumann emphasized the value of good integration for the labor market: “We need well-integrated people to cover the skills shortage.” The focus is on language—to reach a level (A2) that enables labor-market integration, giving the AMS a chance to place people. There will also be a focus on women: values transmission and equality are “very important.”

Uniform federal social assistance must also be set on the way in the overall package, Schumann stressed. People able to work must be given AMS support—and for children she stressed the need for basic security. The “Social Assistance New” constitutional conditions are being examined, with close coordination with the states, she said.

“Pay taxes, not cost taxes”
Shetty called it “a good day for integration policy in Austria,” pressing the reset button for a true fresh start. “If you demand German, you must also promote German,” he said of the planned mandatory courses. “We expect immigrants to complete the courses and accept European core values. It is unacceptable if antisemitism and misogyny grow within migrant communities.”

On job-market preparation he said: “Work is the best path to successful integration. We will create the opportunity for immigrants to pay taxes, not cost taxes.”

On the legality of sanctions under EU law, Plakolm said they are examining examples from Denmark, where integration phases and a social-assistance waiting period of up to five years exist. “Those who come without a work permit have enough time to complete it,” Shetty said. “If you miss it the first time, you get a warning; willful refusal incurs fines. Explain why that should not hold up under EU law.”

Greens and Volkshilfe welcome day-one integration
The Greens welcome integration from day one. Integration spokesperson Sigrid Maurer called for higher speed: “Minister Plakolm must deliver quickly,” Maurer said, also questioning how the urgently needed expansion will be financed given cuts to the integration budget.

Volkshilfe similarly urged “German courses from hour one, faster labor-market access and stronger integration steps even during asylum.” The NGO sees increased bindingness positively—“but lower social benefits or fines are not the right way and are very questionable under EU law,” criticized Volkshilfe director Erich Fenninger.