We cannot bear that: A third of EU citizens want to leave Germany
A new study reveals that about one third of EU citizens living in Germany are considering leaving the country, raising concerns about the country’s attractiveness for foreign workers and its long-term labor market stability.
The research, conducted by the Institute for Applied Economic Research on behalf of the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Migration and Integration ناتالي بافليك, found that rising living costs and feelings of poor integration are major reasons behind the growing dissatisfaction. According to the report, many EU residents face language barriers, discrimination, and difficulties entering the labor market despite having equal legal rights.
At the end of 2023, around 5.1 million people with citizenship from other EU countries were living in Germany. The largest groups come from Romania and Poland, followed by Italy, Bulgaria, and Croatia. The study found that only 23 percent of respondents said they never felt disadvantaged or excluded, while 63 percent reported experiencing such feelings occasionally.
Another major concern highlighted in the report is the lack of recognition of professional qualifications. Many EU immigrants, particularly in sectors such as nursing, are forced to work in positions far below their skill level because their degrees are not recognized in Germany.
ناتالي بافليك also criticized Interior Minister ألكسندر دوبرينت over a decision by the Interior Ministry to halt new enrollments in integration and language courses. According to her, the move has prevented around 130,000 people from accessing these courses, including about 37,000 EU citizens, limiting their opportunities to integrate into German society.
She warned that Germany cannot afford to lose a large share of EU citizens who contribute to the workforce and economy. The integration commissioner called for better access to language education, stronger protection against labor exploitation, improved recognition of qualifications, and stricter action against discrimination in the workplace.