Which B1 Certificate Counts for German Citizenship? (telc, Goethe, ÖSD, DTZ)
German naturalisation needs B1 German, but which certificate is accepted? A clear comparison of telc, Goethe, ÖSD, the DTZ, and the integration course proof.
One of the requirements for German citizenship is German at level B1, and this trips up more applicants than it should. The confusion is not about the level itself but about which piece of paper actually counts. Several different certificates are accepted, and you may already hold one without realising it. Here is what qualifies.
What B1 actually means
B1 is a level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. At B1 you can hold a normal everyday conversation, deal with most situations that come up in daily life, and express yourself on familiar topics. For naturalisation, you must show that you have reached at least this level. A higher certificate, such as B2 or C1, also satisfies the requirement.
The certificates that are accepted
Several recognised B1 certificates are accepted for naturalisation. The most common are the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 from the Goethe-Institut, the telc Deutsch B1 certificate, and the ÖSD Zertifikat B1. Any of these proves the B1 level on its own.
There is also the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer, known as the DTZ. This is the exam at the end of an integration course, and it reports your result on a scale. If your DTZ result reaches B1, it counts as your language proof for naturalisation. A DTZ result at A2 does not meet the standard requirement, so check which level your certificate shows.
If you did an integration course
If you completed an integration course, you may already have what you need. The course ends with the DTZ, and a B1 result there serves as your proof. The certificate from a successfully completed integration course is widely accepted by naturalisation authorities, so you usually do not need to sit a separate exam.
If you went to school in Germany
A German school-leaving qualification can also serve as proof of your German. If you completed a German Hauptschulabschluss or a higher qualification, that generally satisfies the language requirement, and in many cases it also exempts you from the citizenship test. If your schooling was in Germany, bring your school certificates to the naturalisation authority before paying for a separate language exam.
When the requirement is reduced or waived
There are exceptions for some applicants. From age 65, the language proof can fall away entirely. People who cannot meet the requirement because of illness or disability can also be exempted, usually with a medical certificate. These are decided by the authority on a case-by-case basis.
Do not confuse the language exam with the test
The B1 certificate and the citizenship test are two separate things. The B1 exam checks your German. The Einbürgerungstest checks your knowledge of German law, society, and daily life, and it is 33 questions with 17 needed to pass. You need both, but you prepare for them differently. PassCitizen covers the citizenship test side: the full official question catalogue, sorted by topic, with the state-specific questions and full mock exams. It is free and needs no account.
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