According to BMI (Ministry of Interior) - Updated January 2026
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch
Austrian InstitutionGoethe-Zertifikat
German InstitutionWe prepare for thisThe European Language Certificates
German InstitutionWe prepare for thisÖsterreichischer Integrationsfonds
Austrian InstitutionCertificates must NOT be older than 1 year at submission. Source: Source
Your visa type determines your required level (2026 regulations)
German A1 required BEFORE immigration (Deutsch vor Zuwanderung). Certificate must not be older than 1 year at submission.
A1 German certificate required to join spouse/family in Austria. Must be obtained before visa application.
A2 level required within 2 years of arrival. Needed for residence permit extension.
B1 German + citizenship test required. Must prove integration with recognized B1 certificate.
B1 level (Integration Agreement Module 2) required after 5 years for permanent residence.
No strict language requirement initially, but B1/B2 German helps with integration and PR applications.
Austria requires proof of German language skills for most residence permits and citizenship. The BMI (Federal Ministry of the Interior) recognizes ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, TELC, and ÖIF certificates. For third-country nationals, "Deutsch vor Zuwanderung" (German before immigration) mandates A1 certification before entering Austria for Red-White-Red Card Plus, settlement permits, and family reunification.
TELC and Goethe are equally accepted—neither is preferred by authorities. ÖSD is the Austrian diploma but offers no legal advantage. Choose based on exam availability, dates, and which format suits your learning style. Certificates must not be older than 1 year at submission.
Step 1: Pass A1 in your home country (2-3 months preparation for beginners). Step 2: Apply for your visa (Red-White-Red Card, family reunification, etc.). Step 3: After arrival, fulfill the Integration Agreement—A2 within 2 years, B1 for permanent residence and citizenship. Total timeline from zero to B1: typically 18-24 months with consistent study.
Costs: Exam fees €120-180 per level. Integration courses in Austria are subsidized but may have waiting lists. Online preparation with DeutschExam reduces course costs significantly while you prepare from abroad.
With B1 German and professional recognition, skilled workers from healthcare, IT, engineering, and trades find strong opportunities in Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck. Austrian employers value German proficiency for workplace safety and integration.
EU Blue Card holders have no initial language requirement but B1-B2 accelerates permanent residence and improves job prospects. Nursing and care workers are in particularly high demand across Austria.
Everything you need to prepare for TELC and Goethe exams
Practice complete TELC and Goethe exams covering Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking sections.
Record your speaking responses and get instant AI feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
Learn German letter writing with exam-style scenarios. Download as PDF for offline study.
Understand why each answer is correct. Up to 100 AI explanations per day with Premium.
Prepare online with us, take your exam at these official centers
Goethe-Institut Wien, ÖSD, TELC, ÖIF
ÖSD Prüfungszentrum, Goethe-Institut
ÖSD, TELC Authorized Centers
VHS Linz, ÖSD, ÖIF Zentrum
Goethe-Institut, ÖSD, VHS Tirol
ÖSD, TELC Authorized Centers
Prepare for officially recognized German exams from anywhere
Practice anytime from Vienna, Graz, or anywhere in Austria. No travel needed for practice sessions.
Get instant explanations for every answer in English or German. Understand why answers are correct.
Native German speakers. Train your ear for Hochdeutsch used in official exams.
Upload handwritten letters via photo. AI transcribes and grades them with detailed feedback.
TELC and Goethe formats - both officially recognized by Austrian authorities (BMI/ÖIF).
Track your improvement across all skills. Know exactly when you're exam-ready.
Choose the plan that fits your exam timeline
Real results from learners preparing for Austrian immigration
"Passed my A1 for the Red-White-Red Card while still in Turkey. The platform helped me prepare before immigration!"
"Used it to prepare for B1 citizenship exam. The AI feedback helped me understand German grammar patterns."
"Needed A1 for family reunification from Serbia. Platform covered exactly what ÖIF exam asked."
Verify requirements directly with Austrian authorities
Helpful guides for your German exam journey
Compare TELC and Goethe B1 for Austrian and German citizenship applications.
Read more →Master the speaking section for B1 citizenship and permanent residence.
Read more →Accelerated A1 preparation for family reunification to Austria or Germany.
Read more →Essential tips for the A1 speaking exam required before immigration.
Read more →Join thousands preparing for Austrian immigration exams online
Austria German exam requirements - January 2026
According to BMI (Austrian Ministry of Interior), Austria officially recognizes: ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch), Goethe-Institut, TELC GmbH, and ÖIF (Österreichischer Integrationsfonds). Certificates must NOT be older than 1 year at submission. DeutschExam prepares you for TELC and Goethe formats, both fully recognized. Source: bmi.gv.at
Since 2011, Austria requires third-country nationals to prove A1 German BEFORE entering Austria for most residence permits. This applies to Red-White-Red Card Plus, Settlement Permits, and Family Reunification. You must pass an A1 exam in your home country before applying for the visa. Source: oesterreich.gv.at
For residence permits longer than 1 year, you must fulfill the Integration Agreement: Module 1 requires A2 German within 2 years, Module 2 requires B1 German for permanent residence and citizenship. Note: A language certificate alone is not sufficient - you need an integration exam testing both language AND values/social knowledge. Source: workinaustria.com
Austrian citizenship requires German B1 level plus a citizenship test covering Austrian democracy, history, and the federal state you live in. The language requirement is defined in StbG § 10a. You can fulfill this with a recognized B1 certificate (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD) or an ÖIF B1 integration exam.
Exemptions apply to: children under 14, persons with health limitations preventing language learning, certain family members of visa holders (e.g., minors), and artists with special residence permits. Check with your local MA35 (Vienna) or Bezirkshauptmannschaft for specific cases.
All three (ÖSD, TELC, Goethe) are equally recognized by Austrian authorities. ÖSD is Austrian but not more advantageous than German certificates. Choose based on: exam availability, dates, and which format you practice best with. DeutschExam covers TELC and Goethe - both are universally accepted.
We provide 100 full mock exams in TELC and Goethe format (both accepted by Austria), AI-powered feedback on every answer, handwriting recognition for writing practice, speaking practice with AI assessment, and 75+ letter templates. You practice the exact exam format you'll face, available 24/7 from anywhere.
TELC A1 typically costs €120-150, B1 €150-180. Goethe-Institut exams are similar. ÖSD (Austrian) exams are comparable. Exam fees vary by center. DeutschExam preparation costs a fraction of traditional courses.
Both are equally recognized by BMI. TELC is often considered slightly more predictable in format. Goethe has more global centers. Choose based on availability in your city and which format you practice best with.
Yes. A1 German (Deutsch vor Zuwanderung) is required before applying for family reunification (Familiennachzug) to Austria. The certificate must not be older than 1 year at submission.
Yes. DeutschExam offers 100% online preparation. Practice all four skills 24/7. You only need to take the final exam at an authorized center (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD) in your country or Austria.