Germany visa: which German level do you need for which visa?

Which level for which visa?

How does the law name the levels?

The German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) does not use letters but words. Section 2 defines them: einfache (basic) German is A1, hinreichende (sufficient) is A2, ausreichende (adequate) is B1, gute (good) is B2, and if you beherrschen (master) the language, that is C1. So when a section says „hinreichende deutsche Sprachkenntnisse“, it means A2.

Joining a spouse: A1 before you arrive

If you want to join your husband or wife in Germany, you usually need to be able to communicate in German at least in a basic way, which is A1. The law has exceptions, among others when the partner in Germany holds an EU Blue Card or certain skilled-worker permits, for illness or disability, for nationals of countries whose citizens may enter without a visa, and when learning German before arrival is impossible or unreasonable in the individual case.

You can practise the A1 exam under real conditions with us: Goethe-Zertifikat A1 or telc Deutsch A1.

Study and vocational training

For university study the law sets no level. The authority only asks for language proof if the university did not check your language at admission and you will not learn it in a preparatory course. What universities ask for is in German language test for university admission.

For qualified vocational training you need B1, unless the training institution has already tested your German or you learn it in a preparatory German course.

Work: Blue Card, skilled workers, Opportunity Card

For the EU Blue Card the law requires no German. For the Opportunity Card, which lets you look for work in Germany for up to a year, you need at least A1 German or B2 English. For a visa to take a measure to recognise your professional qualification in Germany, at least A2 usually applies. For regulated professions such as doctor or nurse, the recognition authority asks for its own proof; see German level for doctors.

Later on: permanent residence

For a settlement permit the law usually asks for B1 (§ 9 AufenthG). With a Blue Card it is faster: after 27 months with A1 or after 21 months with B1 (§ 18c(2) AufenthG). Citizenship also requires B1; see German B1 test for citizenship.