The German Integration Course (Integrationskurs): A Complete Guide
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.
What is the Integrationskurs?
The integration course is Germany's official programme for teaching new migrants the German language and the basics of life in the country, supervised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The standard course consists of 700 lesson hours: 600 hours of language course plus a 100-hour orientation course (Orientierungskurs).
The language course is split into six modules of 100 hours each and takes you step by step from beginner level up to B1. The orientation course covers German law, history and culture and ends with the 'Life in Germany' (Leben in Deutschland) test. Special course types also exist, such as literacy courses and courses for women and young people.
Who can join and how do you register?
Many holders of new residence permits receive an entitlement certificate (Berechtigungsschein) from the foreigners' office, BAMF or the Jobcenter, and for some groups participation is mandatory — for example for people receiving benefits or those judged to need language support. With the certificate you register at an accredited provider such as an adult education centre (Volkshochschule).
The fee is normally about €2.29 per lesson hour (roughly €1,600 for the full course), but anyone receiving benefits such as Bürgergeld can apply for a full fee exemption. If you pass the final exam within two years of receiving your entitlement certificate, you can get half of what you paid refunded.
The final exams: DTZ and the 'Life in Germany' test
The language course ends with the German test for immigrants, the DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) — an official exam that certifies level B1 or A2 depending on your performance. The orientation course ends with the 'Life in Germany' test: 33 multiple-choice questions, of which 15 correct answers are enough to pass.
If you pass the DTZ at B1 and the 'Life in Germany' test, you receive the integration course certificate, which matters for permanent residence and later for citizenship — under the new law, citizenship after five years normally requires level B1. If you do not reach B1 on the first attempt, you can apply to repeat 300 hours of the language course free of charge and retake the exam.
How to prepare with Deutsch30
The course moves fast, and the real difference is made by daily practice outside the classroom. Deutsch30 walks you step by step to B1 with a fully native-language interface, short daily lessons, spaced-repetition vocabulary review and an AI conversation partner to practise speaking — the skill that matters most in the DTZ exam.
Start with the free placement quiz to see where you stand, then follow a clear plan that complements what you learn in the integration course and takes you to B1 with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the integration course take and what does it cost?
The standard course is 700 hours (600 language + 100 orientation) — roughly a year part-time, or less in intensive formats. The fee is about €2.29 per lesson, around €1,600 in total, with a full exemption for people on benefits and a 50% refund if you pass within two years.
Is the integration course mandatory?
Not for everyone; but the foreigners' office or the Jobcenter can oblige some new residents to attend, especially people receiving benefits or with a clear need for language support. Even when it is voluntary, it is usually the cheapest structured route to level B1.
What happens if I do not pass the DTZ at B1?
You normally receive an A2 certificate if you performed at that level, and you can apply to repeat 300 hours of the language course free of charge and retake the exam. Many people pass on the second attempt after the extra practice, especially in speaking and writing.