Why immigrants leave Germany: family ties, discrimination, and bureaucracy

Immigration policy often focuses on attracting newcomers, but researchers say understanding why people leave is just as important. A recent survey by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) sheds light on the factors that drive immigrants to leave Germany again, highlighting a complex mix of personal, social, and administrative reasons.

The IAB, a research institute affiliated with Germany's Federal Employment Agency, conducted an online survey of people aged 18 to 65 who had immigrated to Germany before April 2025 and subsequently left the country. The aim was to identify what influenced their decision to depart.

According to the researchers, emigration is not driven by any single factor. Family-related reasons play a major role, and experiences of discrimination were also frequently cited. Many of the contributing factors, they note, can be influenced by public policy.

Who is most likely to leave?

IAB researcher Theresa Koch described the typical profile of an emigrant: "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," she said.

The survey found that 60% of emigrants return to their home countries, while 40% move on to other destinations, with Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Croatia being the most popular choices.

Germany's competition for talent is not limited to its own borders. "We are competing with other European countries for skilled workers," said Yuliya Kosyakova, head of the IAB's research department on migration, integration, and international labor market research.

Key claims

  • Emigration is driven by multiple factors, with family-related reasons and experiences of discrimination being major contributors.
  • Bureaucracy, housing, and language acquisition are among the factors that public policy can influence.
  • 60% of emigrants return to their home countries, and 40% move to other destinations.
  • Germany competes with other European countries for skilled workers.
  • Language acquisition is key to success in the German labor market.
  • Emigrants are typically younger, have spent less time in Germany, and are more likely to have partners and children abroad.
  • Long waits for responses from authorities and high administrative fees can make long-term planning and access to employment more difficult.
  • Lack of support for career development can affect people's prospects of staying in Germany.
  • Administrative procedures can influence how immigrants assess their future in Germany and their sense of belonging.
  • People from Kenya, India, and Vietnam are making efforts to establish themselves in Germany, particularly in the care for the elderly sector.
  • The government should support German-language instruction in migrants' countries of origin to improve retention rates.
  • International degree programs taught in English may not enable people to work in Germany.
  • The Federal Employment Agency has introduced a centralized system that is faster and more reliable, and there are plans to create a federal 'Work and Stay' agency.

Bureaucracy as a main driver

Emigrants often criticize lengthy processing times for naturalization applications, residence permits, visas, and the recognition of foreign qualifications, according to the IAB survey. Long waits for responses from authorities and high administrative fees are common sources of frustration. Such hurdles can make long-term planning and access to employment more difficult, and they can also shape how immigrants assess their future in Germany and their sense of belonging.

The lack of support for career development can also affect people's prospects of staying, the research suggests.

The IAB's Laura Goßner underscored the importance of studying emigration: "Anyone who wants to shape immigration successfully must also understand emigration," she said at a press conference in Berlin.

The findings come as Germany faces a labor shortage and seeks to attract skilled workers from abroad. Efforts to improve retention include enhancing language instruction and streamlining administrative processes. The Federal Employment Agency has already introduced a centralized system that it says is faster and more reliable, and there are plans to create a federal 'Work and Stay' agency. Some experts also suggest that supporting German-language instruction in migrants' countries of origin could improve retention rates, and they caution that international degree programs taught in English may not prepare graduates for the German labor market.

As Germany competes with other European nations for talent, understanding why immigrants leave is seen as a crucial piece of the puzzle in shaping successful immigration policy.