Language & visa: which German do I need for which visa?

“Which German do I need?” has no blanket answer. The language requirement depends on the purpose of stay: sometimes it is mandatory before entry (A1 for spousal reunification), sometimes it decides access (study), sometimes it merely earns points.

The matrix

Purpose of stay	Level (rule of thumb)	Typical proof
Spousal reunification	A1 before entry (with exceptions)	Goethe/telc/ÖSD/ECL certificate A1
Vocational training (§ 16a)	usually B1	B1 certificate
Study (§ 16b)	B1/B2, depending on the programme; sometimes DSH-2/TestDaF	DSH-2, TestDaF, possibly English
Language course (§ 16f)	no minimum level	registration/language course proof
Skilled worker / EU Blue Card (§ 18 ff.)	no German required for the visa	– (German only later for settlement)
Opportunity Card	points for language	A1/B1 etc. depending on the proof
Au pair	A1/A2 (depending on the placement agency)	certificate A1/A2
Settlement / naturalisation	B1	B1 + integration course/naturalisation test

Before entry, language is rarely “nice to have”: it is often a condition of the application or a selection criterion. A file without the matching proof is among the most common formal stumbling blocks.

Spousal reunification: A1 and the exceptions

For spousal reunification, the joining partner must prove A1 before entry (§ 30 (1) AufenthG (Residence Act)). Exceptions apply on a case-by-case basis. These include a demonstrably low need for integration — where, because of training or profession, good integration without a course is to be expected —, cases of unreasonableness and hardship, where learning the language is not possible in time or is unreasonable, and certain constellations under § 41 AufenthV (Residence Ordinance). The details depend on the individual case; what counts here is the embassy's information.

Vocational training and study

For vocational training (§ 16a) it is usually B1 in consular practice, varying by profession and federal state. How the training itself works – contract, requirements, costs – is in the article Vocational training in Germany: visa (§ 16a). For study (§ 16b) it is B1/B2, for admission often DSH-2 or TestDaF; for English-language programmes English is enough. If the level is not yet enough, the language course visa (§ 16f) or a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) helps.

Skilled workers, Opportunity Card, settlement

For a visa as a skilled worker or with an EU Blue Card (§ 18 ff.) German is not mandatory; B1 only becomes relevant for the settlement permit. With the Opportunity Card, language earns points — simply omitting A1 means losing points. For settlement and naturalisation, B1 plus an integration course or naturalisation test is the rule.

Which proofs count

What is asked for are standardised certificates: Goethe, telc, ÖSD, ECL, and for universities TestDaF and DSH. Proofs are often to be obtained in the home country, so before applying. Some certificates are only recognised if they are not too old. Courses alone rarely count — the certificate is what matters.

How to plan

Determine the purpose, derive the level from it, book the certificate early (exam dates need lead time). Check the exceptions before you catch up at great expense, and submit the proofs complete and valid.

For family reunification in detail: Spousal reunification. Anyone who lives as an EU citizen in another EU state falls under EU law — see EU family members.

Note: general information, not legal or case-specific advice. The information of the competent authority is decisive. Last updated: 16.10.2026.

Sources

AufenthG — § 30 (spousal reunification/proof of language), §§ 16a–16f (vocational training, study, language course), §§ 18 ff. (employment): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/
AufenthV — § 41 (exceptions from the proof of language): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv_2004/
Goethe-Institut (examinations A1–C2): https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/kup/prf.html
TestDaF: https://www.testdaf.de/ · DSH: https://www.dsh.de/