For an Ausbildung in Germany you usually need German at level B1, and many companies ask for B1 or B2. German embassies accept certificates from a few providers only. This guide explains the levels and which certificate to take.
The levels from A1 to C2
German levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). There are six levels.
| Level | What you can do | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Understand and use simple everyday phrases. | First steps |
| A2 | Talk about familiar topics in simple sentences. | Some volunteer services, some visa exceptions |
| B1 | Handle most everyday situations at work and in daily life. | The usual level for the Ausbildung visa |
| B2 | Follow complex texts and talk fluently about work topics. | Asked for by many companies, makes vocational school easier |
| C1 | Use German flexibly and precisely at work. | Some careers with a lot of writing or customer contact |
| C2 | Understand almost everything, close to a native speaker. | Rarely asked for |
Which level you need
- Ausbildung visa: usually B1. Some embassies accept A2 if the company confirms that it checked your German or that you will take a preparatory course. See our Ausbildung visa guide.
- Visa to search for a training place: B1.
- The company: each company decides. Our Ausbildung Explorer shows the level usually asked for in each career, for example careers that usually ask for B1.
- FSJ or BFD (volunteer service): there is no single rule. It depends on the organisation and the embassy. Ask your organisation.
The vocational school teaches in German, with technical words and exams. B1 is the usual minimum. Many trainees find the first months easier with B2.
Which certificates embassies accept
For visa applications, the German Federal Foreign Office accepts certificates from these providers (Auswärtiges Amt):
- Goethe-Institut
- telc
- ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom)
- ECL
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) of the Standing Conference of Education Ministers
- TestDaF, only for levels from B2
Other certificates, for example from private schools or online courses, are usually not accepted for the visa. The DSH is a German test for university admission and is not on this list.
How old the certificate may be
For the visa, the exam should usually not be older than one year. If you repeated single parts (modules) of the exam, the date of the oldest passed part counts. Plan your exam so that it is still valid when you apply for the visa.
Tips for the exam
- Book early. In many countries, exam dates fill up months ahead.
- Check which parts the exam has: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Practise all four.
- Use the free practice tests on the website of your exam provider.
- Keep the original certificate safe. You need it for the visa appointment.
