Syrians in Austria Deliberately Fail German-Language Exams to Stay on Welfare
15th August 2025
A new report on Syrian refugees in Austria has ignited political controversy after suggesting that some migrants are deliberately failing the exam after completing German courses to avoid low-paying jobs.
The findings, published in daily Kronen Zeitung and based on the Austrian Labour Market Service’s (AMS) study, have prompted sharp criticism from opposition politicians, particularly the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).
The report highlights challenges in integrating refugees into the labour market, with learning German identified as a key barrier.