Facts, not myths

Hundreds of thousands of people are making their way from the Balkans to Germany this year. Their goal: to lead a better life than in their homeland. Their hope: to improve prospects for themselves and for their children, to get work and to give their kids better work alternatives. In contrast to the exodus twenty years ago, when the civil war in the former Yugoslavia caused thousands to flee as refugees, these days there is thankfully no violence and despotism in the region.

The Balkan countries are now, in 2015, hoping to get into the European Union, and war and repression are things of the past. But in many areas there is high youth unemployment, clientelism and economic stagnation. The disappointment about a weak economy and the lack of options for young people are obvious reasons why people leave their homeland.

But it is problematic that people who apply for asylum from these regions at the moment many are unsuccessful. Generally, people receive asylum in Germany if they are being persecuted for their political views or if they come from an area of civil war, like Syria.

Those without a right to stay have to go

People that come to Germany because of the poor economic situation in their homeland do not have a right to asylum. They have to leave the country again. That seems to be not clear to everyone.

Many people think that Germany is a great place to be, where everything is better than at home. They think it is very easy to get work and an apartment and that it doesn't take long to earn good money. But that's not necessarily true, no matter what people may be saying about Germany's welcoming nature at the moment. And it is especially not the truth if you are trying to obtain asylum or be taken in as a refugee here.

In Germany, a country which, in comparison to many other EU nations, is throwing open its doors for refugees, being a foreigner is not easy. In order to gain a footing in the country, you have to learn the German language and your qualifications also need to be officially recognized. Germany has its own strict rules on this issue. If you are not a European citizen, you will often be bypassed by locals or EU passport holders, for a job.

The legal way to Germany

In the last few decades, Germany has integrated millions of foreigners into community life here. It is an open and economically-strong country in the heart of Europe, which will continue to welcome people from around the world for years to come.

For people from the Balkans, there are completely normal ways of getting to Germany, which will allow you to get training or find work here. In this special, DW lays out the requirements that are necessary for staying in Germany and outlines who can stay and who has to leave. Thorough explanation and clarifying information about the real situation in Germany are the focus. "Facts, not myths“ should be a useful and meaningful guideline for all those who are trying to get to Germany.