If you speak German, your everyday life in Germany becomes much easier: at public offices, at work, at the doctor's and with your neighbours. German skills are also important for some residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel) (the permission to live in Germany) and for naturalisation (Einbürgerung) (you receive German citizenship). There are many ways to learn German: the integration course, courses at the adult education centre, online courses, apps and learning in everyday life. For some people, the integration course is mandatory. Start as early as possible.
What you need
Who can take part in the integration course?
The integration course (Integrationskurs) is a government course for immigrants. It consists of a language course and an orientation course. It is run by the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge).
- Many people have an entitlement (Anspruch) (a right to the course) if they receive a residence permit, for example for work or family reunification, and still speak little German.
- Citizens of the EU have no entitlement. However, they can apply to the BAMF for admission (Zulassung). This means: the BAMF allows you to take part if places are available.
- Other people can also be admitted under certain conditions.
Who has to take part?
- The immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) (the office for questions about your residence) can require you to take part, for example if you cannot yet communicate in simple German.
- The Jobcenter (the office that pays citizen's income, Bürgergeld) can also require you to take part.
- If you are required to take part and do not, this can have consequences, for example for your residence or your benefits.
This is only general information. The immigration office will tell you what applies to you. You can find more under Clarifying your residence permit.
Have these documents ready
- Passport or ID card
- Your residence permit, if you have one
- The certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) (a letter confirming that you may take part in the course) or the admission from the BAMF
- Your address in Germany. After registering your address, you receive a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung).
- If you receive citizen's income or social assistance (Sozialhilfe): the official notice (Bescheid) about it
- For apps and online courses: a smartphone or computer and internet, see Choosing a mobile phone plan and Internet at home
Step by step
- Check your entitlement. Ask the immigration office whether you are entitled to the course or required to take part. You often receive the certificate of eligibility together with your residence permit. If you are not entitled, apply to the BAMF for admission.
- Find a course provider. A course provider (Kursträger) is a school or institution that offers integration courses, for example an adult education centre. You can search for courses near you on the BAMF website.
- Register and take the placement test. Go to the course provider with your documents. There you usually take a placement test (Einstufungstest). This test shows how good your German already is and which course is right for you.
- Apply for a fee waiver if needed. If you have little money or receive citizen's income, ask the course provider for an application to be exempted from the costs. Submit the application before the course starts.
- Attend regularly. The language course comes first. Then comes the orientation course. There you learn a lot about history, politics and living together in Germany.
- Take the exams. At the end there is a language test, the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (German test for immigrants), and the test Leben in Deutschland (Life in Germany). If you pass both and reach level B1 in the language test, you receive the Zertifikat Integrationskurs (integration course certificate).
- Keep learning. After the integration course there are, for example, job-related language courses (Berufssprachkurse) for German at work. You can also keep learning at the adult education centre or with apps.
Other ways to learn German
- Adult education centre (Volkshochschule): The Volkshochschule is a school for adults. There is one in almost every town. It offers German courses at many levels, including in the evenings or at weekends.
- Online courses and apps: These let you learn whenever and wherever you want. Some offers are free, others cost money. Apps are good for practising, but often do not replace a course with a teacher.
- Learning in everyday life: Speak German when shopping and with your neighbours. Listen to news in simple language. Borrow books for German learners from the city library (Stadtbibliothek). Look for a language café or a tandem partner. A tandem means: two people teach each other their language.
At the bottom of this page you will find links to learning resources.
Costs and deadlines
- Integration course: The state pays most of the cost. Many participants pay their own contribution (Eigenanteil) per lesson. If you receive citizen's income or social assistance, you can apply to be exempted from the costs. The course provider or the BAMF can tell you the exact amount.
- Adult education centre: Prices vary from town to town. Some adult education centres offer discounts for people with little money.
- Apps and online courses: Before taking out a subscription, check what it costs and how you can cancel it.
- Deadlines: If you are required to take part, you must register promptly. The office will tell you by when. An entitlement also does not last forever. So register soon.
Typical problems for newcomers
- No registered address yet: Without registration, many things are harder, including at the immigration office. First register your address. You can already start learning with apps and at the library before that.
- Little time because of work: Ask about evening courses, part-time courses or online courses.
- Children at home: There are special courses for parents. Ask the course provider whether childcare is available.
- Reading and writing is difficult: If you cannot read and write, or only in a different script, you can attend a literacy course (Alphabetisierungskurs). There you also learn the Latin alphabet.
- Waiting time: Sometimes no place is available. Ask several course providers and in the meantime learn with apps or at a language café.
- Little money: Ask about the fee waiver. Many learning options in libraries and language cafés are free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take an integration course as an EU citizen?
Usually not. However, you can apply to the BAMF for admission if you would like to take part.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You still receive a certificate showing the level you reached. Under certain conditions you can repeat lessons. Ask your course provider.
Is an app enough to learn German?
An app is good for practising vocabulary. For speaking and grammar, a course with a teacher usually helps more. It is best to combine both.
What do A1, A2, B1 mean?
These are language levels. A1 is the beginning, B1 means: you can communicate well in everyday life. After that come B2, C1 and C2.
Can I change course provider?
This is often possible, for example after moving house. Talk to your course provider first.