Moving to Germany under Paragraph 22.2: Integration and Socio-Political Activism

The study was conducted by a group of researchers:

Tatiana Kasimova — MA in Sociology, researcher with the Horizonte Exilhilfe team
Vladimir Kozlov — PhD in Economics, specialist in statistical data analysis
Alexander Kukalev — PhD in Biology, expert in systems biology and data science

The goal of the second wave of the study, which was also supported by Dialogbüro Vienna, was to determine:

• what changes have occurred among humanitarian visa holders over the past year;
• what new challenges and opportunities have emerged for this group;
• which stable trends can be observed in the professional trajectories, social adaptation, and socio-political activity of visa holders.

Data collection was conducted from November 1 to 13, 2025.

The questionnaire was distributed through specialized channels and chat groups of the community of holders of humanitarian visas under §22.2, as well as through the networks of the organizations Horizonte Exilhilfe, Quarteera e.V., EQUAL PostOst e.V., Solidarus e.V., and Reporter ohne Grenzen.

The results of the second wave of the study suggest a gradual transition from the phase of emergency adaptation to more sustainable integration. While in 2024 the main concerns were housing, paperwork, and basic living conditions, in 2025 issues of employment, professional fulfillment, long-term stability, and participation in public life have become more prominent.

A number of key indicators show positive trends. The share of employed respondents, including those fully independent from social benefits, is increasing. The proportion of self-employed individuals, freelancers, and business owners has grown significantly. German language proficiency has improved, the share of respondents living in separate apartments with long-term rental contracts has increased, and the number of those enrolled in universities in EU countries has also risen. These results demonstrate that integration is cumulative: length of residence, language proficiency, and accumulated social capital mutually reinforce one another.

At the same time, the study shows that the community of humanitarian visa holders is not homogeneous. Cluster analysis reveals several stable patterns of adaptation: those who are actively integrated and politically engaged; those who are economically independent but less politically active; those who rely more heavily on social support; and those who maintain a predominant orientation toward the Russian political agenda.

Despite the positive dynamics, bureaucratic barriers remain a significant source of tension. More than half of respondents report difficulties in interacting with government agencies, including lengthy procedures, differences in administrative practices between federal states, and a lack of transparency in decision-making. Access to B2-level language courses remains a particularly sensitive issue, directly affecting opportunities for labor market integration.

The study also records a high level of trust in German society, especially toward local residents. At the same time, concerns related to the political context persist: the rise of far-right sentiments, uncertainty regarding the future of humanitarian visa programs, and potential changes in migration policy more broadly.

Overall, the results characterize the community of humanitarian visa holders under §22.2 as highly resourced, politically motivated, and actively integrating. Their future trajectories will depend not only on their own capacities but also on the stability and predictability of the institutional environment of the host society.

The full results of the study will be published soon. Stay tuned to our website for updates.