Why has Germany succeeded in integrating Syrians while Austria has struggled?
Germany and Austria received a large number of Syrian refugees after 2015, but the integration results between the two countries have been completely different. After nearly ten years, Germany has made clear progress in the fields of work, language, and naturalization, while Austria continues to achieve slower results amid political and media tensions.
Germany hosts about 1.22 million Syrians, a size that has led it to build a comprehensive national system that includes fully funded language courses, clear vocational training pathways, and rapid integration into the labor market. Austria, which has between 95,000 and 105,000 Syrians living in it until 2025, has relied on fragmented and uncoordinated programs that have not developed into a comprehensive integration system.
The degree of legal stability also differed between the two countries. In 2024 alone, 83,150 Syrians obtained German citizenship, granting them long-term security and real opportunities for education and work. In contrast, Austria naturalized only 2,241 Syrians in the same year, with strict conditions for residency and income, which slowed access to stability and kept many under the pressure of uncertainty for years.
Germany has linked language learning to work, allowing professional integration at language levels such as A2 or B1, with the possibility of language development during training. In contrast, Austria has imposed a higher language threshold of B2 for professional stability, which has created a significant barrier, especially for older adults or those with interrupted education, and has slowed their economic participation and reduced the participation rate of women.
The political climate has contributed to widening the gap. In Austria, issues of asylum—especially those related to Syrians—have become a major focus in election campaigns, creating a general feeling of unwelcomeness and affecting employers' willingness. In Germany, despite the presence of the far right, public discourse relatively separates politics from the integration file, supports anti-racism, and encourages those who seem willing to work.