Refugees in rural areas in Germany

The widespread assumption that refugees do not stay in rural regions but are "just passing through" to big cities was not confirmed. • Staying in a rural place of residence is favoured by living together in the nuclear family, by friendly contacts with the local population and by one’s own progress in integration. • An orientation to stay can be influenced by politics, the local administration and civil society. Civil society in particular contributes to creating bonds to a place of residence.