German spouse visa: how to prove A1 and who is exempt
Redaktion · 13 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short
To join your spouse in Germany you usually need German at A1, proven with a certificate from a recognised exam provider. Which providers the German embassy accepts and how old the certificate may be differs from country to country: ask your embassy before you register. There are exemptions, for example for illness or if your partner holds an EU Blue Card.
What does the law require?
If you want to join your husband or wife in Germany, you must be able to communicate in German at least in a basic way (§ 30(1) first sentence no. 2 AufenthG). That corresponds to A1 of the Common European Framework. You usually bring the proof with your visa application.
Which certificate does the embassy accept?
That is not set by the law but by the German mission in your country. Their information sheets show how much it can vary:
| German mission | Accepted | How old may the certificate be? |
|---|---|---|
| German missions in Turkey | Goethe-Institut „Start Deutsch 1“ and the Austrian language diploma (ÖSD) | at most 12 months at the time of application |
| German embassy in Montevideo (Uruguay) | A1 certificate from a provider certified to ALTE standards with a local office; in Uruguay currently the Goethe-Institut | no fixed limit; how current it is is checked case by case |
So a telc certificate accepted in one country may not be enough in another. Read your embassy's information sheet on spouse reunification before you register for an exam.
What is the A1 exam like?
The A1 exams of Goethe, telc and ÖSD test listening, reading, writing and speaking: understanding simple announcements and short texts, filling in a form, writing a short message, introducing yourself and asking simple questions. The differences between the three are in German A1 exam: Goethe, telc and ÖSD compared.
You can practise the exam with us under real conditions, with time limits and audio: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, telc Deutsch A1 or ÖSD A1.
Who does not need A1?
§ 30(1) third sentence AufenthG lists exemptions. Among others, no proof is needed
- if your partner in Germany holds an EU Blue Card or certain permits as a skilled worker, researcher or self-employed person,
- if you cannot prove German because of a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability,
- if your need for integration is evidently low,
- if you are a national of a country whose citizens may enter Germany without a visa for longer stays,
- if learning German before arrival is impossible or unreasonable in your individual case.
Whether an exemption applies is decided by the embassy together with the foreigners' authority. An overview of the levels for other visas is in Germany visa: which German level.
Frequently asked questions
What German level do I need for a German spouse visa?
Usually A1: you must be able to communicate in German at least in a basic way (§ 30 AufenthG).
Is telc A1 accepted for the spouse visa?
That depends on the German embassy in your country. Some missions name only certain providers; the missions in Turkey, for example, name Goethe and ÖSD. Read your embassy's information sheet.
How long is the A1 certificate valid for the spouse visa?
The certificate itself does not expire, but embassies may set a maximum age. In Turkey it may be at most 12 months old when you apply.
Who does not need A1 for the spouse visa?
Among others, spouses of EU Blue Card holders, people with an illness or disability, nationals of certain visa-free countries and cases where learning German before arrival is unreasonable.
Sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG), § 30 spouses, checked 9 October 2026
- German missions in Turkey: information sheet 01F, spouse reunification, checked 9 October 2026
- German embassy Montevideo: information sheet on proof of basic German for spouses (as of 17.10.2025), checked 9 October 2026
