1. Why this module exists

Many people consider leaving their country of origin.

The reasons vary: insecurity, poverty, lack of prospects, war, political oppression, or the hope of a better life.

This module explains, without emotion and without embellishment:

• what migration is in legal terms
• what asylum means—and what it does not mean
• why economic migration is treated differently
• what the consequences of wrong decisions are.

Goal

To impart knowledge before irreversible mistakes are made.

2. An important principle up front

Not every desire to migrate is illegal.

But not every desire to migrate is legally possible.

States do not act out of compassion, but according to the law.

This applies to everyone – regardless of origin, education, or hardship.

3. What does “asylum” really mean?

Asylum is protection – not a new start program

Asylum is protection regulated by international law for people who:

• are individually persecuted
• are currently threatened
• can prove this

Typical recognized reasons:

• political persecution
• religious persecution
• ethnic persecution
• persecution due to membership of a particular social group

Important

Asylum is not a tool for improving one’s economic situation.

➡️ Poverty, unemployment, lack of prospects, or the desire for education are not grounds for asylum.

4. What is economic migration?

Economic migration = search for better living conditions

Economic migration occurs when people leave a country to:

• Find work
• Earn money
• Build a better future

This is humanly understandable – but legally completely different from asylum.

European countries:

• severely restrict economic migration
• link it to qualifications, needs, and procedures
• increasingly exclude it if formal requirements are not met

➡️ Economic migration is legally controlled – not tolerated.

5. Common misconceptions (clearly stated)

❌ “Europe helps everyone.”

✔️ Europe helps within the framework of its laws.

❌ “Studying or sports are good ways to stay.”

✔️ Studying and sports are time-bound and purpose-bound.

❌ “Once you’re there, you’ll find a way.”

✔️ Illegal stays almost always lead to deportation.

❌ “Many have made it – so it’s possible.”

✔️ For every “success,” there are thousands of failed attempts.

6. Illegal routes – and why they almost always fail

Common illegal or abusive routes

• Entering as a tourist and going underground
• Providing false information on visas or asylum applications
• Misuse of study or sports visas
• Working without permission

The real consequences

• Immediate loss of right of residence
• Arrest or detention
• Deportation
• Entry ban for several years or for life
• International storage of data
• Dependence on exploitation and illegal employment

➡️ Illegal migration rarely ends in freedom – often in fear.

7. Why NADEUM-WIKO does not support migration

NADEUM-WIKO does not support migration because:

• false hopes put people’s lives at risk
• illegal routes are systematically exploited
• financial aid often reinforces exactly the wrong thing
• knowledge protects more sustainably than money

7.1. NADEUM-WIKO:

• does not organize migration
• does not accompany asylum procedures
• does not arrange residence rights
• does not finance travel

8. Responsibility and reality

Every decision has consequences.

Ignorance does not protect you from the law.

Good intentions do not change laws.

This module is not intended to deter anyone.

It is intended to prevent people from staking their lives on false assumptions.

9. Where to find official information

Only government agencies are legally binding.

A structured overview of the official information centers of all 27 EU member states can be found here:

👉 EU migration: Official bodies & responsibilities

There you can see:

• who is responsible
• where to find information
• which authorities make decisions

➡️ After that, there is no excuse: “I didn’t know.”

10. Disclaimer

This module:

• does not replace legal advice
• does not replace authorities
• does not replace procedures

It serves as a guide, source of information, and means of prevention.