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- Migration in Germany<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How organizations and volunteers support migrants & refugees<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What you should look out for when volunteering with migrants & refugees<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Find your volunteer position with migrants & refugees on vostel.de<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about volunteering with migrants & refugees<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
1. Migration in Germany<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/migration-germany-1024x341.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMigrants, refugees, newcomers: Who is meant?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The terms often overlap in everyday life, but refer to different groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- According to the Federal Statistical Office<\/a>, people with a migrant background<\/strong> are all persons who themselves or at least one parent of whom was not born with German citizenship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Migrants<\/strong> is the generic term for all people who move from one country to another, voluntarily or involuntarily, permanently or temporarily. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Refugees<\/strong> are a subset of this group: people who have had to leave their home country due to war, persecution or other threats. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- We also often use the term newcomer<\/strong> in our engagement: it is an open, appreciative term for all newcomers, regardless of the reason for their migration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How many people live in Germany with migration or refugee experience?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In 2025, around 25.8 million people<\/strong> in Germany will have a migration background, which corresponds to 31.1%<\/strong> of the total population. Of these, 16.4 million have immigrated themselves<\/strong>, i.e. almost one in five people in Germany. Among children and young people up to the age of 20, the proportion with a migrant background is as high as 43.1 percent<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2024, approximately 1.7 million people moved to Germany, about 430,000 more than the number who left the country. However, this meant that net immigration was below the average for the previous ten years, which was around 601,000 people per year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important reasons for immigration since 2015 were flight, asylum and international protection (31 percent<\/strong>), employment (23 percent<\/strong>), family reunification (21 percent<\/strong>) and study and training (8 percent<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of 2025, an additional 3.2 million people<\/strong> were registered as seeking protection, including over 1.3 million<\/strong> from Ukraine. (Sources: Destatis migration statistics 2024<\/a>; Destatis \/ Mediendienst Integration, microcensus 2025<\/a>; Destatis AZR 2025<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role does migration play in our society?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Migration is a politically charged topic that is often reduced to problems and conflicts in the public debate. Yet the figures show that it is an important part of our society, because: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The baby boomer generation is currently retiring en masse from working life, and the domestic labor force potential is falling by around 300,000 people per year<\/strong> according to DIW forecasts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In 2024, employment subject to social insurance contributions in Germany was already growing exclusively due to foreign nationals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- People with a history of immigration now make up more than one in four of the<\/strong> country’s workforce<\/strong> and are significantly younger on average: 36.1 years<\/strong> compared to 47.6 years<\/strong> for people without a migration background.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Immigration has high innovative power<\/strong>: in 2022, one in seven patent applications in Germany was already attributable to people with a migration background, compared to one in twenty in 2000. In addition, companies with culturally diverse teams have a significantly higher innovation rate and can respond better to global markets. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cultural and social diversity:<\/strong> Migrants bring different languages, perspectives and experiences that enrich our society, whether in schools, neighborhoods, clubs or in the workplace. Studies show that cultural diversity promotes collaboration and creative thinking. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
(Sources: DIW Berlin 2025<\/a>; Federal Institute for Population Research 2025<\/a>; Institute of the German Economy 2024<\/a>; IW study via migrando.de 2025<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Challenges for newcomers in Germany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As important as migration is for our society, the path to participation is a rocky one for many newcomers. A lack of language skills<\/strong> is often the starting point for many problems. But the hurdles go far beyond language: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Housing:<\/strong> In an already tight housing market, newcomers often experience additional discrimination when looking for accommodation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work:<\/strong> Long recognition procedures for foreign qualifications, lack of work permits and language barriers delay entry. Many therefore initially work far below their qualifications. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Authorities:<\/strong> Complex administrative procedures and a lack of native speaker support make dealing with authorities and asylum procedures a real challenge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Risk of poverty:<\/strong> People with a migration background are more than twice as likely to be at risk of poverty as people without a migration background, due to discrimination, poorer access to education and more frequent employment in the low-wage sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Psychological stress:<\/strong> Many refugees carry traumatic experiences of flight and persecution with them, which can make arriving even more difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
(Sources: Mediendienst Integration 2024<\/a>, Statista \/ Destatis 2024<\/a>; IAB \/ Markt und Mittelstand 2025<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, developments in recent years show that integration works if it is given time and support. Over 62%<\/strong> of those who have fled to Germany since 2015 are now employed, more than half of them in system-relevant professions such as healthcare, logistics or construction. (Sources: Rescue.org<\/a>; IAB 2025<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Newcomers as volunteers: Commitment as a bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many newcomers to Germany do not wait for support to come to them, but actively get involved themselves. More and more newcomers are volunteering because they want to give something back to society, because they want to make contacts and because volunteering is one of the best ways to practise the language in real life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research results from the FAU project EMILIE confirm this: Through their involvement, migrants contribute skills and talents that they would otherwise hardly be able to bring to bear, such as their multilingualism, intercultural competence or specific knowledge about their region of origin. Volunteering thus becomes a bridge in both directions. (Source: Kordel\/Weidinger\/Spenger, Wegweiser B\u00fcrgergesellschaft 07\/2024<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. How organizations and volunteers support migrants and refugees<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/imagine-foundation-1024x341.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat non-profit organizations do<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Germany, many different actors are involved in supporting and integrating migrants and refugees. In addition to government agencies, it is primarily non-profit organizations and charities that are active on the ground. The largest of these include <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Caritas:<\/strong> Migration advice, language courses, support in everyday life, volunteer exchange for volunteers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diakonie:<\/strong> Around 100,000 volunteers are involved in helping refugees in the church and Diakonie alone across Germany<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AWO:<\/strong> Operates accommodation in initial reception centers as well as hundreds of migration and integration services with German courses and socio-educational support<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- DRK, Malteser, ASB, Johanniter:<\/strong> support in accommodation, care services, leisure activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Parit\u00e4tischer Gesamtverband:<\/strong> Represents numerous smaller organizations with a wide range of services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- UN refugee aid:<\/strong> As the German donation partner of the UNHCR, it supports facilities and projects throughout Germany<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Many organizations are also represented on vostel.de, including Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe<\/a>, the Berlin City Mission<\/a> and the Munich Refugee Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How volunteers are involved<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BLOG-Zwischenbilder-2026-48-1024x341.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs a volunteer, you create personal encounters and genuine exchanges that give newcomers direct access to their new world. Your tasks can be very different: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Language support & tandems:<\/strong> In language tandems, language caf\u00e9s or informal discussion groups, you help newcomers to practise German in real life and become more confident.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accompanying people to appointments:<\/strong> You accompany people to appointments with authorities, doctors or government offices, where language barriers and unfamiliarity with the system can quickly become an obstacle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Education & mentoring:<\/strong> You support children and young people with their homework or help young people with a refugee or migrant background to enter training and work. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leisure & social participation:<\/strong> Joint excursions, city tours, sports activities or museum visits create connections and provide a low-threshold introduction to social life. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Meeting opportunities:<\/strong> Open meetings, creative groups or workshops create space for exchange and networking, often the first step towards real friendships and local arrival. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Orientation & everyday support:<\/strong> You will help you navigate your new everyday life, whether it’s finding accommodation, getting to know the local infrastructure or dealing with practical questions about settling in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Accompanying people to appointments:<\/strong> You accompany people to appointments with authorities, doctors or government offices, where language barriers and unfamiliarity with the system can quickly become an obstacle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diakonie:<\/strong> Around 100,000 volunteers are involved in helping refugees in the church and Diakonie alone across Germany<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work:<\/strong> Long recognition procedures for foreign qualifications, lack of work permits and language barriers delay entry. Many therefore initially work far below their qualifications. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In 2024, employment subject to social insurance contributions in Germany was already growing exclusively due to foreign nationals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Migrants<\/strong> is the generic term for all people who move from one country to another, voluntarily or involuntarily, permanently or temporarily. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How organizations and volunteers support migrants & refugees<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
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