The federal government requires different visa categories different language levels - from elementary A1 to C1 for certain residence permits. The wrong certificate or a missing one Evidence is one of the most common reasons for rejection at the embassy.
Visa types at a glance
The following table summarizes the legal requirements of the most important residence permits.
Legal requirements according to Residence Act
| Visa / residence permit | Required CEFR level | Recognized tests (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Spousal reunification with third-country nationals欧盟 | A1 (before entry) | Goethe A1, telc A1, ÖSD A1 |
| Job search visa | A1 (recommended, partly mandatory) | Goethe A1, telc A1 |
| Work visa (skilled workers) | Not a legal requirement, but B1-B2 is often expected by the employer | No binding requirement |
| EU Blue Card | None, but useful for professional practice: B2 recommended | No obligation |
| Settlement permit (permanent residence) | B1 (according to Section 9 Residence Act) | Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ B1, ÖSD B1 |
| Naturalization | B1 (according to StAG § 10) | Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ B1, ÖSD B1 |
Spouse reunification – the A1 obligation
For spouses to join a third-country national (non-EU), an A1 certificate is mandatory before entry - unless an exception applies (e.g. highly qualified, partner studying, illness).
What you need to be able to do for A1 and which exams are accepted
Accepted A1 exams:
Work Visa & Blue Card
There is no legal requirement, but without sufficient language skills there is no visa - that is the practice.
| Field of activity | Expected level (message) | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Highly qualified IT / engineer (international team) | A2–B1 is often sufficient if English is the working language | Embassy checks whether you can communicate at work. In English-only teams, German is often secondary. |
| Nursing professional | B2 must be proven (strict requirements of the nursing chambers) | Professional recognition requires B2, the visa requires recognition. |
| Trade (e.g. electrician) | B1 often accepted because team communication takes place in German | Without B1, occupational safety is at risk (understand the instructions). |
| Simple auxiliary work (warehouse, production) | A2 sufficient (oral) + simple written instructions | Embassy often accepts A2 if the requirements are low. |
Settlement permit & naturalization
After staying in Germany for several years, B1 is the decisive criterion for the prospect of permanent residence.
Proof of an integration course (DTZ) or equivalent examination
Important exception: Integration course participants who only achieve A2 in the DTZ do not receive a settlement permit - they have to repeat the exam. Around 20% of participants only achieve A2.
Which test for which visa?
Not every certificate is recognized by every embassy or immigration office. Here is the recommendation for each type of visa.
telc, Goethe, ÖSD – all three are equivalent for authorities
Next steps
You now know which language levels are required for different visas.
Let’s discuss your individual visa strategy together – including the appropriate language certificate.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
As of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.