Guides to Learning German

Persian speakers can start German at A1 and move step by step to B1 — the level needed for migration, family reunification and citizenship. Daily focus on vocabulary, grammar and speaking, plus exam practice, usually gets there in 6–12 months.

The German B1 exam tests "independent user" level and is required for family reunification, permanent residence and German citizenship. Three main bodies run it — Goethe, telc and ÖSD — and it has four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Arabic speakers can start German at A1 and progress step by step to B1 — the level needed to pass the integration course and to qualify for permanent residence and citizenship. With daily practice on vocabulary, grammar and speaking, plus exam preparation, most learners reach B1 in 6 to 12 months.

Russian speakers can start German at A1 and progress step by step to B1 — the level needed for migration, family reunification and citizenship. With daily vocabulary, grammar and speaking practice plus exam practice, that usually takes 6–12 months.

Ukrainian speakers can start German at A1 and progress step by step to B1 — the level needed for migration, family reunification and citizenship. With daily vocabulary, grammar and speaking practice plus exam practice, that usually takes 6–12 months.

The DTZ (German Test for Immigrants) is the final exam of Germany's integration course, developed jointly by telc and the Goethe-Institut. It measures your skills between A2 and B1 in listening, reading, writing and speaking, scored per skill. A B1 result is the usual requirement for permanent residence and applying for citizenship.

Displaced Ukrainians under temporary protection in Germany have access to integration courses (Integrationskurs) and can learn German from A1. Work usually needs A1–A2, while B1 is required for long-term residence. Daily practice plus DTZ exam preparation typically reaches B1 in 6–12 months.

If you are moving to Germany, German is usually the key requirement: A1 is enough for family reunification, but a B1 certificate is normally needed for permanent residence and citizenship. Russian speakers have a head start thanks to cases and gender, and can typically reach B1 in 6–12 months of daily practice.

For immigrating to Germany, the level you need depends on your route: A1 is usually enough to join a spouse, while permanent residence and citizenship normally require a B1 certificate. The EU Blue Card and Opportunity Card are more flexible at the start, but B1 matters for settling. With daily practice, B1 is typically reached in 6–12 months.

The Einbürgerungstest is the official 'life in Germany' knowledge test you must pass to become a German citizen. It has 33 multiple-choice questions; you need at least 17 correct to pass, drawn from a public catalogue. Besides the test you must prove German at B1 level. Since 2024 you can apply after five years' residence, and dual citizenship is allowed.

The Integrationskurs is Germany's official integration course, run by BAMF. The standard course has 600 hours of German up to level B1 plus a 100-hour orientation course on life, law and history in Germany. It ends with the DTZ language exam and the 'Life in Germany' test. You register at accredited providers such as the Volkshochschule; the fee is about €2.29 per lesson, with full exemption for people on benefits.

The main ways to immigrate to Germany are a skilled-worker visa or EU Blue Card, the Chancenkarte job-search visa, university study or vocational training (Ausbildung), and family reunification. Each route has its own German requirement — from A1 for joining a spouse to C1 for university. The better your German, the faster you reach permanent residence and citizenship: B1 opens most doors.

Most newcomers in Germany can learn German free of charge. The state funds two main tracks: the integration course (from zero to B1) and job-related language courses, the Berufssprachkurse (B1–C1). The entry ticket is a referral called a Berechtigungsschein, issued by the Jobcenter, the employment agency or BAMF. For people receiving Bürgergeld the courses are free, and Ukrainians with temporary protection under §24 have full access.