If you're planning to become a German citizen, or to stay in Germany for good on a permanent settlement permit, you'll need to show B1 German. If you're still abroad and about to join your spouse, the first step is smaller: A1 before you get your visa.
The good news is that one exam can cover more than one step. Here's what each stage asks for, what counts as proof, and who is exempt.
What level of German do you need for citizenship?
Section 10 of the Nationality Act (StAG) requires "sufficient" German, which it defines as meeting the requirements of a B1 language exam, the third of the six CEFR levels. The naturalisation authority decides whether your proof is enough, but the guidance from Freiburg and Karlsruhe and Bavaria's list of accepted proof shows what normally counts:
- a B1 certificate with an overall B1 result, such as the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (all four modules passed), telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch), ÖSD Zertifikat B1, or the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) when it certifies B1;
- four years of successful attendance at a German-language school, or moving up into year 10 of a German secondary school;
- a German school-leaving certificate (Hauptschulabschluss or higher);
- a degree from a German-language course at a German university, or a completed German vocational training.
If you're taking an exam, take it before you apply. Both cities say an application without language proof is delayed or refused, and you pay the exam fee yourself.
Who is exempt from the B1 requirement?
The law makes a few exceptions:
- children under 16 only need language skills normal for their age;
- people who can't reach B1 because of illness, disability or age don't need to prove it. Freiburg asks for a detailed report from a specialist doctor, not a general note;
- people who show that, despite serious and sustained effort, they can't reach B1 may only need to get by orally in everyday life. This hardship rule is decided case by case;
- guest workers recruited before 30 June 1974, contract workers who arrived in East Germany before 13 June 1990, and spouses who joined them at the time only need everyday spoken German.
There's no exemption for EU citizens, for long-term residents or for spouses of Germans. They all need B1.
How long do you have to live in Germany first?
The B1 rule doesn't change with the route, but the residence period does. In 2024 Germany cut the standard wait from eight years to five and added a three-year fast track for exceptional integration. The federal government abolished that fast track with effect from 30 October 2025, through an amendment to the Nationality Act.
| Your situation | Lawful residence needed |
|---|---|
| Standard route (StAG §10) | 5 years |
| Married to a German citizen (StAG §9) | 3 years in Germany, with the marriage at least 2 years old |
| Spouse and minor children applying with you | Can be naturalised with you before reaching 5 years |
| Exceptional integration ("Turbo-Einbürgerung") | Abolished from 30 October 2025 |
Language is only part of the application. You also need the right type of residence permit, enough income to support yourself and your family without basic benefits, and no criminal conviction beyond minor ones. According to the BAMF, naturalisation costs €255 per adult and €51 for each child naturalised with a parent.
The citizenship test
Alongside B1, you have to show you know how Germany's legal system, society and daily life work. Most people do that with the Einbürgerungstest: 33 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, and you pass with 17 correct answers. A German school-leaving certificate exempts you, and so does a score of at least 17 in the integration course's "Leben in Deutschland" test. Our guide to the German citizenship test covers the format, the €25 fee, the question catalogue and how to prepare.
Language rules for German residence permits
You'll usually meet German language rules well before citizenship. These are the main ones, from the Residence Act (AufenthG):
| Permit | Level | When |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse joining a partner in Germany (§30) | A1 | Before the visa, with exceptions |
| Permanent settlement permit (§9) | B1, plus basic knowledge of German society | After 5 years with a residence permit |
| EU long-term residence permit (§9a) | B1, plus basic knowledge of German society | After 5 years with a residence permit |
| Permanent permit for skilled workers (§18c) | B1 | After 3 years, or 2 after a German degree or vocational training |
| Permanent permit for EU Blue Card holders (§18c) | A1, or B1 for the faster route (Berlin guidance) | After 27 months with A1, or 21 months with B1 |
For the spouse visa, the BAMF leaflet names the certificates embassies accept: Start Deutsch 1 from the Goethe-Institut or telc, ÖSD Grundstufe Deutsch 1, or TestDaF. You're exempt if, for example, your partner in Germany holds an EU Blue Card, works as a skilled worker, or is a citizen of a country such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia. The leaflet has the full list, and the embassy decides.
Here's where the levels connect. The integration course ends with the DTZ language exam and the "Leben in Deutschland" test. A B1 result in the DTZ plus a pass in "Leben in Deutschland" earns the integration course certificate, which covers the language and knowledge conditions of the permanent settlement permit. "Leben in Deutschland" is passed with 15 points, but if you score 17 or more, the BAMF says it also counts for citizenship. So if you reach B1 in the DTZ and score 17 in "Leben in Deutschland", you may need no further exam for citizenship.
How to get your German to B1
Every B1 exam tests listening and speaking as well as reading and writing. The speaking part is a conversation with an examiner, and in daily life B1 is what lets you handle an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde, a call to your landlord or a chat with a neighbour without switching to English.
Our app, Copycat Cafe, is built around exactly those moments. In one of our B1 German lessons, you're at the immigration office for your residence permit:
„Guten Morgen. Ich habe einen Termin wegen meiner Aufenthaltserlaubnis.“
"Good morning. I have an appointment about my residence permit."
„Danke. Die Bescheinigung ist gültig, aber auf dem Formular fehlt Ihre Unterschrift.“
"Thank you. The certificate is valid, but your signature is missing from the form."
You hear each conversation at normal or slow speed and rebuild every line by ear, say the lines aloud and get a 0–100 pronunciation score on every word, then use the same German with Copy, your AI conversation partner. The German course has 50 lessons at each level from A1 to B2, so you can start with A1 for a spouse visa and work up to B1 for permanent residence and citizenship. Copycat Cafe costs $174 a year ($14.50 a month) or $29 a month in the US, with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on your first payment.
Frequently asked questions
What level of German do I need for German citizenship?
B1, shown with a recognised B1 certificate or a German school, university or vocational qualification. You also need to pass the citizenship test or have an equivalent result.
Can I still get German citizenship after three years?
Only if you're married to a German citizen: three years in Germany, with a marriage of at least two years. The three-year fast track for exceptional integration was abolished from 30 October 2025, so everyone else needs five years.
Which certificates prove B1 for German citizenship?
Common ones are the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD Zertifikat B1 and the DTZ with a B1 result. Your naturalisation authority makes the final decision.
Do I need German for a spouse visa?
Usually A1, proved before the visa with a certificate such as Start Deutsch 1, unless an exception applies, for example because your partner holds an EU Blue Card.
Is the permanent settlement permit the same level as citizenship?
Yes, both ask for B1. EU Blue Card holders can get permanent residence with only A1 after 27 months, or with B1 after 21 months.