German for Immigration to Germany
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.
What level you need for which route
The German level you need is not a single fixed number; it depends on your visa type and goal. For family reunification and joining a spouse, you usually need an A1 certificate before you arrive (with some exemptions). For permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and for German citizenship, you normally need a B1 certificate.
University study in Germany often requires B2 or C1, and some regulated professions (such as medicine and nursing) need B2 to have your qualification recognised. If you aim for B1 from the start, you are prepared for almost any route and save time.
The main migration routes and the German they need
The EU Blue Card is for graduates with a job contract above a salary threshold; you usually do not need a German certificate to enter, but German helps with daily life and reaching permanent residence faster. The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a points-based job-seeker route in which German knowledge earns you points.
Skilled-worker, family-reunification and asylum routes each have their own language rules; but on almost all of them, reaching B1 is what unlocks long-term residence and citizenship. So whatever your entry route, plan your language path around getting to B1.
Exams, the integration course and citizenship
A B1 certificate can be obtained from the Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD. Goethe is the most internationally recognised; telc is usually cheaper and widely available at the Volkshochschule (adult education centres); ÖSD is the natural choice if you are moving to Austria.
If you live in Germany with an eligible residence permit, you can often enrol in a state-funded integration course (Integrationskurs), which teaches German up to B1 and ends with the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) at B1 level. Under the new citizenship law, you can usually apply for citizenship after five years of residence with a B1 certificate (and even sooner with special integration). Ask your Ausländerbehörde or the BAMF about your eligibility.
How to prepare for migration with Deutsch30
Deutsch30 is a structured A0–C1 course with a Persian interface and an AI partner that answers in Persian and practises your pronunciation — exactly the daily habit migration exams reward.
Start free, check your level with the placement quiz, and follow a clear path to B1 and the DTZ exam. You do not need a card to begin.
Frequently asked questions
What German level do I need to immigrate to Germany?
It depends on the route: usually A1 for family reunification and joining a spouse, and usually B1 for permanent residence and citizenship. University study often requires B2 or C1, and some regulated professions need B2.
Do I need German for the Blue Card or Opportunity Card?
You usually do not need a German certificate to enter on a Blue Card, but it is a big help for daily life and permanent residence. With the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), German knowledge counts as points and improves your chances.
How long does it take to reach B1 for citizenship?
With regular daily practice, going from zero to B1 usually takes 6–12 months. The Goethe-Institut estimates roughly 80–160 hours of study per level.