One in Four Migrants Considering Leaving Germany Amid Bureaucratic and Social Frustrations

A comprehensive new study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has revealed that 26 percent of immigrants in Germany are contemplating leaving the country. Based on responses from over 50,000 participants, this figure represents an estimated 2.6 million people. Of those, approximately 300,000 have already formulated concrete plans to emigrate.

The findings shed light on a concerning trend: many of those considering departure are not marginal or struggling groups, but rather highly educated, economically successful, and linguistically integrated individuals—exactly the profiles Germany depends on to address its deepening skilled labor shortage.

Top Push Factors: Bureaucracy, Taxes, and Political Discontent

Respondents cited a range of reasons for their dissatisfaction. Among the most frequently mentioned were excessive bureaucracy, high taxation, and political disillusionment. These factors affect all major categories of immigrants—from labor and family migrants to students and refugees. Refugees also pointed to discrimination as a distinct and powerful reason behind their desire to leave.

While some migrants are considering returning to their countries of origin, others are planning a move to third countries. Poland emerged as the most popular destination for returnees, followed by Romania. Turkey and Ukraine were also frequently cited. Among those seeking to relocate elsewhere, Switzerland, the United States, and Spain ranked highest.

Personal and Professional Motivations Behind Emigration Plans

For migrants looking to return to their homeland, personal relationships and emotional ties were the primary reasons. Spouses, children, relatives, and lifelong friends were central in shaping these decisions.

Meanwhile, those exploring emigration to a new destination were driven by economic opportunities and career development. They tended to prioritize countries with stable economies, simplified administrative processes, and strong labor market integration systems. This distinction highlights the multi-dimensional nature of migration decisions, as both personal and professional factors intersect in complex ways.

Key Sectors at Risk of Talent Loss

The risk of emigration is especially high in fields already struggling with staffing shortages. According to the IAB data, 30 to 39 percent of migrants working in the IT, finance, insurance, and consulting sectors reported they were considering leaving Germany. Even in critical sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and social services, the emigration rate among migrants was between 24 and 28 percent.

The trend is alarming to labor market experts because it directly threatens Germany’s ability to maintain key infrastructure and economic competitiveness. The migrants most likely to consider leaving are also those most valuable to Germany’s workforce: educated, employed, and experienced professionals with strong German language skills.

Structural Barriers Undermine Integration Efforts

Despite long-standing public discussions about integration, many immigrants still face significant structural hurdles. Complicated recognition procedures for foreign qualifications, slow and non-transparent administrative systems, and inconsistent application of immigration policies were all mentioned as factors weakening trust in German institutions.

While Germany has made efforts to simplify residency pathways and recognize foreign credentials, respondents in the IAB study described their experience as burdened by inefficiencies. These bureaucratic issues, coupled with limited access to stable employment or professional advancement, contribute to a widespread sense of exclusion among some migrant groups.

Policy Recommendations Call for Urgent Reforms

Experts at the IAB stress that simply promoting immigration is not sufficient. Yuliya Kosyakova, head of the IAB’s department for migration and international labor market research, emphasized the need to build long-term settlement perspectives. These should include more efficient administrative structures, faster decision-making in immigration processes, and greater support for social inclusion.

Vanessa Ahuja from the Federal Employment Agency echoed this sentiment, calling for bold steps to streamline bureaucratic processes, digitize immigration systems, and accelerate qualification recognition. Equally important, she noted, is cultivating broad societal acceptance of migrants and recognizing their essential role in Germany’s economy.

Return Is Still an Option for Some

Interestingly, around 21 percent of migrants currently considering emigration would be open to returning to Germany at a later stage. One-third have ruled it out completely, while nearly half remain undecided. This suggests that improving current conditions could still influence outcomes positively.

For now, however, the data paints a sobering picture: Germany risks losing exactly the people it worked so hard to attract—skilled professionals who have already taken the difficult step of migration and integration.