For years, Germany attracted thousands of migrants with promises of stability, equal opportunities, and secure jobs.

However, many of them today are thinking about returning home or moving to other countries. The feeling of not being accepted and everyday obstacles are often stronger than the initial enthusiasm, and the personal stories of migrants reveal the complexity of this phenomenon.

One of them is Giannis N., who arrived in Germany from Greece at just 18 years old, hoping for a better future, writes Deutsche Welle. After sixteen years of life, a degree, and a successful career, he decided to return to his homeland. The key moment came when he realized that, regardless of his effort and integration, he would always remain “that Greek.” Experiences such as unpaid work and open hostility toward his origin left a deep mark.

A comprehensive study by the Institute for Labor Market Research confirms similar obstacles, revealing that as many as a quarter of migrants in Germany are considering leaving. Particularly worrying is the fact that the largest group among them consists of highly educated and well-integrated people, precisely those the German economy needs most. Their decisions are motivated by a combination of personal, economic, and social reasons, including a feeling of not being accepted, high taxes, and bureaucracy.

Utku Sen, a cybersecurity expert from Turkey, also left Germany after three years because of a feeling of isolation. Without knowledge of the German language, his life was like a “ghost life,” and discrimination was part of everyday life. By moving to London, he found a society in which he feels accepted, which brought him relief and new life energy.

But even perfect knowledge of the language is not always enough. Kalina Velikova from Bulgaria, who spent nine years in Bonn, claims that the sense of distance toward foreigners is deeply rooted. Although she spoke flawless German, she never gained a sense of belonging. By returning to Sofia, despite lower income, she felt an improvement in quality of life.

Economist Christian Dustmann points out that language is key to successful integration, but also warns that the feeling of a hostile environment is not specific only to Germany. The rise in the number of migrants is causing concern among the local population, which is also reflected in the growing popularity of right-wing political options. The public is increasingly worried about pressure on social systems, housing, and education, and politics is forced to balance between openness and the protection of domestic interests.

Anastasios Penolidis, manager of a refugee camp, believes that a cultural transformation of society is also needed for real change. He emphasizes the importance of political and social education, the fight against racism, and fairer tax policy. Although he himself is also thinking about returning to Greece, he hopes for changes that would allow him to stay and start a family in Germany.

Germany today has more than a quarter of its population of migrant origin, and since 2015 it has received around 6.5 million people, mostly from Syria and Ukraine. Despite this, the feeling of belonging and acceptance remains an unattainable goal for many.

The stories of migrants show that integration is not only a matter of politics and economics, but also of everyday relationships, prejudice, and culture. Without deeper social change, Germany risks losing precisely those people it needs most for the future.