What level of German you need for work and life in Germany
Family reunification, work, permanent residence, citizenship, university: an overview of the German levels most often required, all in one place.
We hear the question "what level do I need?" almost every day. The answer depends on what you're planning, and the difference between A1 and C1 is several years of learning. That's why it helps to know your goal before you start.
Overview by situation
| Situation | Level most often required |
|---|---|
| Family reunification (spouse joining) | A1 |
| IT and technical jobs | Often not legally required; employers usually ask for A2 to B1 |
| Ausbildung (vocational training) | B1 to B2 |
| Nursing and healthcare (recognition of qualifications) | B1 to B2, depending on the profession and state |
| Doctors | B2 plus an additional specialist exam at C1 level |
| Permanent residence | B1 |
| Citizenship | B1 |
| University studies in German | Usually C1 (DSH or TestDaF) |
Why B1 is the key milestone
B1 is the level at which you get by on your own: you talk to colleagues, handle paperwork and see a doctor without an interpreter. That's why it's required for permanent residence and citizenship, and many employers treat it as the minimum for jobs that involve people.
The road to B1 goes through A1 and A2. With regular work and a course with a teacher, each level takes about three months, so B1 is a realistic goal in about nine months. With fast-track courses it can be quicker.
How to plan your learning
- 1Find out the exact level and type of certificate your employer or the authority requires. Sometimes any certificate will do, sometimes a specific exam is required.
- 2Work out where you are now. If you're not sure, the home page has a five-question finder that suggests a course for your level.
- 3Calculate how much time you have until your deadline and pick a format: a group course for a steady rhythm, fast-track when you're in a hurry.
- 4Register for the exam in time, because dates at popular centres often fill up weeks in advance.
Want this explained step by step?
In our courses we go through the whole level like this: with explanations in our language, exercises and corrections.