From Arrival to Belonging

In many sectors of the German economy, migrant workers have become indispensable. Yet, taking up employment in Germany often involves lengthy and complex administrative procedures, including obtaining visas and having foreign qualifications recognised. Supporting partners and children as they arrive and settle into schools, childcare settings and local communities is equally challenging. 

As part of its Understanding Migration series, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung held an online event on 6 May 2026 which examined the success of efforts at different levels of government to promote the sustainable recruitment of workers from abroad, focussing on what is required in the future for Germany to develop not only as a country of immigration but also as a country where (skilled) migrant workers choose to stay.

Dissatisfaction with social life 

According to a recent FES study, social isolation and the feeling of not being welcome are two of the main reasons why foreign skilled workers employed in Germany leave again. Successful labour market integration does not automatically translate into meaningful participation in society, explains Dr Franziska Loschert, research fellow at Minor-Projektkontor and co-author of the study. Social factors are particularly important for (highly) skilled workers. Another reason for taking action is that employment growth has increased in recent years, especially among third-country nationals, while significantly fewer people have come to Germany under the EU’s freedom of movement rules. At local and regional level, Germany’s Welcome Centres, which maintain strong connections with local authorities, businesses and civil society and provide new arrivals with guidance and support, play a key role here.

Welcome Centres as a key component

As Anja Reißmann, regional advisor for the Saxony-Anhalt Welcome Centre in the district of Burgenland, explains, Welcome Centres act as coordinating hubs with experts in the field. Ms Reißmann supports professionals throughout the application process and during onboarding at companies. Another part of her job is to provide accompanying partners with career guidance and assistance integrating in local community life. In this role, she works closely with the immigration advisory services for new arrivals. Overall, Ms Reißmann believes it is the responsibility of public authorities, employers and local communities to create the conditions necessary for the successful integration of skilled workers and their families. She also stresses the importance of securing long-term funding for the Welcome Centres, including at federal level. In her view, close coordination between Welcome Centres and the planned digital Work-and-Stay Agency would be beneficial, particularly as the latter has so far focused primarily on recruitment and immigration procedures, while the “stay” aspect – settling in and integrating – has not been a priority. Involving immigrants in the design of the programme is also crucial to developing services tailored to their needs.

Settling in

Lyudmila Kapustina, co-founder of the Ukrainian Centre for Integration and Cultural Exchange e.V. in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt, emphasises that many family members who have migrated are actively seeking to integrate into their local community. Her association, which was set up by refugees themselves, offers German language courses for accompanying family members in the Burgenland district, supports them in dealing with the authorities and helps them find suitable schools for their children. Kapustina points out that immigrants have an interest in helping to shape their new communities. For example, her association is just as likely to be involved in charitable initiatives as political dialogue. At the same time, she would like to see political actors assume a more active role in fostering dialogue between local populations and migrant communities, and in promoting acceptance of immigration.

Reasons to stay

Rasha Nasr, spokesperson for migration and integration for the SPD parliamentary group, argues that the migration policy debate should place much greater emphasis on how to encourage people to stay. For her, this includes ensuring fair mobility for skilled workers that minimises the risk of exploitation. With regard to the WSA, the parliamentary group expects a draft bill to be presented before the summer recess. In the current plans for the agency, the focus has largely been on streamlining administrative structures, while insufficient attention has so far been paid to the issue of retention. In Nasr’s view, however, integration into the local community must play a more central role as plans are fleshed out.

There is still much to be done at all levels to create the conditions needed for successful participation of labour migrants in working and social life across Germany. A local infrastructure that enables people to settle and remain in the country, and that is tailored to local needs and structures, relies on coordination between stakeholders from civil society, local government and the business community, as well as on reliable financial and organisational support from the federal government.

Annemarie Schmidt is a social worker and political scientist specialising in transnationality, migration and social participation. She has analysed developments in migration and integration policy for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and also helped organise specialist conferences. Before completing her master’s degree in Lund, she worked for the German Red Cross and various different civil society organisations. She is also involved on a voluntary basis in several initiatives, including in support of young refugees.