Germany never asks for one fixed test — it asks for CEFR levels from approved providers: A1 opens doors, B1 settles you, and the same B1 naturalises you.
Overview
German immigration law works in CEFR levels, not named tests. For visa procedures the Federal Foreign Office accepts certificates only from providers whose exams follow ALTE standards: the Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, the Austrian ÖSD, the TestDaF-Institut (recognised from level B2 only) and ECL — and the certificate should generally be no older than one year, with all modules passed at the same provider. The milestones: spouses joining a partner generally need A1; the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) needs A1 German or B2 English, with higher German levels scoring extra points; settlement as a skilled worker needs B1 (Blue Card holders: A1 after 27 months or B1 after just 21); and naturalisation needs B1 plus the civic test. Inside Germany, the BAMF-run integration course (700 lessons at EUR 2.29 each) ends in the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ), whose B1 result is the workhorse certificate for settlement and citizenship. Verified against auswaertiges-amt.de, bamf.de and gesetze-im-internet.de as of June 2026.
Which Level for Which Milestone
| Milestone | German level required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/family reunification visa | A1 (basic) | Exemptions exist — e.g. spouses of EU Blue Card holders and several other categories; check your mission's checklist |
| Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) baseline | A1 — or English at B2 instead | § 20a AufenthG; German is optional if your English is B2+ |
| Chancenkarte points | A2 = 1 pt, B1 = 2 pts, B2 = 3 pts (C1 English = 1 pt) | Statutory points table, Annex to § 20b AufenthG |
| Blue Card settlement at 27 months | A1 (basic knowledge) | § 18c(2) AufenthG |
| Blue Card settlement at 21 months | B1 (sufficient knowledge) | § 18c(2) AufenthG — the 6-month shortcut is purely a language reward |
| Skilled-worker settlement (3 years) | B1 | § 18c(1) AufenthG |
| General settlement permit (5 years) | B1 | § 9 AufenthG |
| Naturalisation | B1 + naturalisation test | § 10 StAG; DTZ B1 result or an accepted B1 certificate |
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Which German language certificates are actually accepted for visa applications?
The Federal Foreign Office accepts certificates from providers whose exams meet the standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE): the Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, ÖSD, the TestDaF-Institut (recognised only from level B2 upward) and ECL. Two technical rules trip applicants up: the exam should generally be no more than one year old at the time of application, and all modules must have been passed at the same provider — combining modules from different providers is not accepted. Exams taken inside Germany count if run by an approved provider or its licensed centres.
What level of German do I need to come to Germany at all?
For the direct skilled-worker and Blue Card routes: none — there is no statutory German requirement for the work visa itself if you have the qualification, the job offer and (where applicable) the salary threshold. The Opportunity Card requires at least A1 German or, alternatively, English at B2. Spouses joining a partner generally must show A1, with exemptions for several categories including spouses of Blue Card holders. German becomes unavoidable later: B1 is required for the skilled-worker settlement permit and for citizenship, so most migrants need it within three to five years regardless of entry route.
How does the integration course work and what does it cost?
The BAMF-coordinated integration course pairs a German language course with an orientation course on law, history and society — 700 lessons of 45 minutes in the general format, through approved providers across Germany. You pay a contribution of EUR 2.29 per lesson, about EUR 1,603 for the full course; benefit recipients can be exempted, and half your contribution is refunded if you pass the final test within two years. It closes with two exams: the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ), certifying A2 or B1, and the 'Leben in Deutschland' civic test.
Is the DTZ enough for permanent residence and citizenship, or do I need a Goethe certificate?
The DTZ at B1 is sufficient — it is precisely the in-country standard evidence. The settlement permit provisions require 'sufficient knowledge of German' (B1), and the naturalisation statute accepts a B1 certificate; a DTZ result showing B1 satisfies both, and the 'Leben in Deutschland' test passed with 17 or more correct answers covers the naturalisation test requirement too. A Goethe, telc or ÖSD B1 certificate works equally well. What does not work for citizenship is a DTZ result graded only A2 — the B1 grade on the certificate is what counts.
How many Chancenkarte points can language skills earn me?
Up to four of the six you need, across two languages. German scores on a ladder — A2 earns 1 point, B1 earns 2, B2 earns 3 — but only your highest German level counts; the steps do not stack. English at C1 adds 1 further point, and that one does combine with your German score. Remember the baseline first: without at least A1 German or B2 English you cannot get the card at all, points notwithstanding. For borderline cases, moving from A2 to B1 German is usually the cheapest extra point available, and it pays again later at settlement.
I'm a doctor — is B1 enough for my medical licence?
No. Immigration milestones cap out at B1, but the Approbation (medical licence) is granted by Land licensing authorities, which require profession-specific German beyond that — in practice general German at B2 plus a specialised medical-language examination (Fachsprachenprüfung) at C1 level administered through the responsible Land body or medical chamber, with details varying by federal state. The same pattern applies in nursing and other regulated health professions. Treat the visa-level language evidence and the licensing-level language requirement as two separate projects with separate budgets and timelines — and confirm specifics with the Land authority handling your recognition.