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URA

URA is a reintegration project run by the federal and state governments specifically for people returning to Kosovo.

The project offers reintegration support after your return to Kosovo to enable you to sustainably reintegrate in your country of origin.


Conclusion of the ‘URA Kosovo’ project on 31 December 2026

Following almost 20 years of successful operation, the URA Kosovo reintegration project will come to an end on 31 December 2026, upon completion of a three-year knowledge transfer process with the Kosovar authorities.

Please note that the registration of new clients for the project in Pristina will only be possible until 30 October 2026 at the latest, and that counselling for returnees will also end on 31 December 2026.

After 31 October 2026, the booking systems – and thus the project’s services – will only be available for a short period and for the completion of final tasks as part of the project’s closure.


1. What support is available?

Your individual support will be discussed during a consultation on site in Kosovo and may include the following counselling and in-kind services:

Counselling and support services

  • If necessary, reception and needs-based initial orientation at the airport (can be organised before departure via a return counselling centre)
  • Psychological support
  • Free social counselling
  • Help with job searches through labour market counselling

Financial support in the form of benefits in kind

  • Payment of a bridging allowance (one-off and in cash)
  • Partial reimbursement of travel costs to the return centre in Pristina
  • Medical cost allowance
  • One-off furnishing allowance
  • Monthly rent allowance
  • Coverage of language course costs
  • Financial assistance for training costs
  • Financial assistance for living expenses during training
  • Wage subsidy
  • Start-up money for promising business ideas (only in the case of voluntary return)

Special offers for children:

  • Provision of basic school equipment for schoolchildren
  • Coverage of the costs of private tuition for children and young people
  • Coverage of the costs of club memberships and leisure activities for children
  • Coverage of the costs of childcare

Please note: There is no legal entitlement to support.

2. Who can receive support from URA?

All Kosovar nationals who have returned to Kosovo from Germany, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are eligible for free counselling and support services.

The following criteria apply to the above-mentioned financial support services:

  • Return from one of the federal states participating in the project: Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Bremen, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia (voluntary returnees only), Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia (voluntary returnees only).
  • Indigence
  • Minimum stay of six months in Germany immediately prior to return
  • Registration deadline: within eight (8) weeks of returning to Kosovo, in person at the URA Return Centre in Pristina.

3. How can you receive support from URA?

You can register for support services at the return centre in Pristina:

  • Please register in person at the Pristina project office within eight (8) weeks of your return.
  • Once your details have been registered, we will check whether you meet the requirements for financial support (see point 2).
  • Please be sure to bring your passport documents and, if applicable, proof of departure with you.

4. What documents should you bring with you?

In order to prepare for your return in the best possible way and to quickly initiate the first steps of the reintegration process, we recommend that you apply for or pack the following documents before you leave:

  • International birth certificate for children born in Germany (for registration in the Kosovar school and social system)
  • If available, your border crossing certificate (GÜB)
  • Flight or bus tickets
  • Work certificates, school certificates, other proof of qualifications, if applicable
  • Other documents, e.g. regarding social benefits, wage statements, salary statements, etc., if applicable

5. How can you contact URA?

You can find the project at the following address or contact it by telephone at the number listed below:

Rruga Arkitekt Karl Gega No. 38
10000 Pristina
Republik Kosovo

Phone: +383 45 625 886
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The project is financed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and currently nine (9) federal states, and is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to support the sustainable reintegration of returnees locally.