Exam preparation.
I prepare people for the German exams used in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Sometimes the reason is a job or a residence file. Sometimes someone just wants the certificate. I teach the exam. I don’t issue the permit.
What each country usually asks for, and what the levels feel like, is on the permits page. Those lines get old. Check the official page for your own case too.
By goal
A1
Spouse visas in Germany and Austria, the Swiss family B permit, and the gate for the German Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Usual exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1), telc Deutsch A1, and ÖSD Zertifikat A1. Switzerland also accepts fide at spoken A1.
Germany · Switzerland · Austria
A2
German recognition visas, Austrian Integration Agreement Module 1, and the spoken half of an ordinary Swiss C permit. Usual exams: Goethe, telc, or ÖSD at A2. Austria’s own exam is the ÖIF Integrationsprüfung at A2. A Swiss C permit also asks for written A1 beside spoken A2.
B1
German settlement and citizenship, Austrian Module 2 and long-term residence, the spoken half of an early Swiss C permit, and German vocational-training visas. Usual exams: Goethe, telc, or ÖSD at B1, a DTZ result at B1 for many in-country German procedures, and the ÖIF Integrationsprüfung at B1 in Austria. An early Swiss C permit pairs spoken B1 with written A1.
B2 and above
German-taught university study often starts around B2, and the programme can set its own rule. A regulated profession, such as medicine, nursing, or teaching, can ask for about B2 plus a test for that profession, even when the work visa itself has no language line. Nursing has its own exam: telc Deutsch B1·B2 Pflege.
University
The usual proofs for a German-taught degree are TestDaF with TDN 4 in every part, DSH-2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, Goethe-Zertifikat C2, or the level the programme names.
Speaking and writing scored apart
Switzerland scores speaking and writing separately. The fide-Test and the Sprachenpass are built for that split. A Goethe or telc certificate can still cover a Swiss level when it is on the recognised list. Details are on the Switzerland section.
The exams, by name
Goethe-Zertifikat
A1 (Start Deutsch 1), A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. C2 is the Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom. Used across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
telc Deutsch
A1 (including Start Deutsch 1), A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule is for university. telc Deutsch B1·B2 Pflege is for nursing.
ÖSD Zertifikat
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch, A1 through C2. This is the Austrian diploma. Germany and Switzerland accept it for many procedures too.
ECL
A smaller certificate. It appears on accepted lists, including Switzerland’s list of recognised certificates.
DTZ
Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer, the test at the end of the BAMF integration course. The result is A2 or B1. A B1 DTZ is the usual in-country proof for German settlement and citizenship. From 1 November 2026, a B1 DTZ result needs B1 in speaking, B1 in one written part, and at least A2 in the other written part.
Checked 8 November 2026.
TestDaF and Digital TestDaF
University exam. Scores are TDN 3, 4, or 5 on each part. TDN 4 in every part is the usual bar for a German-taught degree.
DSH
Taken at a German university. DSH-2 is the usual bar for admission.
DSD I and DSD II
School diplomas. Relevant for pupils, not for most adult permits.
Leben in Deutschland
The civic test for German settlement and citizenship. It sits next to the B1 language certificate. It isn’t a language exam, and it doesn’t replace one.
ÖIF Integrationsprüfung
Austria. Module 1 is German A2 plus the values test. Module 2 is German B1 plus a deeper values test. For the “German before immigration” step, the Interior Ministry names ÖSD, Goethe, telc, and ÖIF, and that diploma must be no older than one year. The permit levels are on the Austria section.
fide
Switzerland. The fide-Test, with the Sprachenpass, reports spoken and written levels from A1 to B1 separately. fide-Test edu and the fide-Dossier are part of the same system. Goethe, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, and ECL count when they are on the SEM list of recognised certificates. The list dated 1 October 2026 is the one used here. SEM updates that list again on 1 January 2027. The Switzerland block on the residency page carries the check date for these permit levels.
Tell me the exam
Which exam, which country, and when you hope to take it. The form stays in the browser.