German level for a Germany visa (2026)

German for moving to Germany: which level for which visa (2026)

Updated: 4 October 2026 · The Prufling team

For moving to Germany to work, study or join family, a German certificate is still on the list of documents in many cases in 2026. The table below is taken from the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) and the pages of official bodies as of 2026-10-04. Every row links to its source.

Which level the words in the law mean

The AufenthG names language levels with words, not letters. § 2 ties these words to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (GER/CEFR)^[1]:

Wording in the law	Level
einfache deutsche Sprachkenntnisse	A1
hinreichende deutsche Sprachkenntnisse	A2
ausreichende deutsche Sprachkenntnisse	B1
gute deutsche Sprachkenntnisse	B2
die deutsche Sprache beherrschen	C1

So if an embassy document says "einfache Kenntnisse", it means level A1.

Required level by purpose

Purpose	German level	Legal basis	Note
Joining a spouse (Ehegattennachzug)	A1	AufenthG § 30(1) Nr. 2^[2]	There are exceptions, for example the spouse of an EU Blue Card holder or of a skilled worker under § 18a/§ 18b. The Tashkent embassy's list asks for proof of A1^[3].
Chancenkarte (job-search card)	A1 German or B2 English	AufenthG § 20a(4), § 20b^[4][5]	A condition for the points route. Recognised skilled workers do not need points.
Ausbildung (vocational training)	B1 — only under certain conditions	AufenthG § 16a(3)^[7]	If the training institution has not tested your language and no preparatory language course is planned, proof of B1 is required.
Qualification recognition measures (Anerkennung)	Usually at least A2	AufenthG § 16d^[8]	The law says "in der Regel mindestens" — that is, as a rule; it may be higher depending on the requirements of the measure.
Skilled worker (§ 18a/§ 18b), student	No fixed figure	—	The level is set by the employer or the university. Check your contract or admission letter.
Doctor	B2 + Fachsprachprüfung	GMK 2014 resolution^[9]	General German at B2, medical professional language aimed at C1. The FSP is held by the state medical chamber.
Nurse (example: Hessen)	At least B2	Hessen guidance, 08/2023^[10]	The level is set separately in each federal state.

Chancenkarte: points for language

The Chancenkarte is issued on a points basis. You need at least 6 points. The points for language, under § 20b and the annex to the law (Anlage), are^[5][6]:

German B2 — 3 points;
German B1 — 2 points;
German A2 — 1 point;
English C1 — 1 point.

Besides the points there is a basic condition: at least A1 German or B2 English^[4]. So an A1 certificate meets the entry condition but gives no points; German adds points from A2.

Family reunion: A1 and exceptions

Under § 30 the spouse must be able to communicate in German "zumindest auf einfache Art" — at least at a simple level^[2]. The law lists exceptions: for example, if learning the language is impossible because of illness or disability, or if the spouse in Germany holds an EU Blue Card or a § 18a/§ 18b permit. Whether an exception applies to you is decided by the embassy.

Which certificates are used

When submitting documents for Germany, certificates from the following exams are usually used:

Goethe-Zertifikat (A1 Start Deutsch 1, A2, B1 and above) — at the Goethe-Institut Tashkent and at licensed centres;
telc Deutsch (A1, A2, B1 and above);
ÖSD certificates.

Which certificate is accepted is decided in each case by the embassy or the relevant authority. Before you pay for an exam, check the German embassy in Tashkent's list of documents. More on the exam structure: Goethe A1, Goethe B1, telc A1 and A2.

Common misunderstandings

"B1 is mandatory for everyone". The law does not state B1 as a general rule: for Ausbildung it is required only under the condition in § 16a(3), and for family reunion A1 is enough.
"A1 gives points for the Chancenkarte". A1 is an entry condition, not points. Points for German start at A2.
"The level in the law is the employer's requirement". An employer, a university or a professional chamber may ask for a higher level than the law does. Check both requirements.
"Any certificate will do". The list of accepted certificates is set by the embassy. Look at that list before you register for an exam.

Practical steps

Identify your type of visa and open the embassy's document list for that type.
Compare the language level on the list with the table above.
If there is an employer, a university or an Ausbildung place, ask for their requirement in writing; it may be higher than the one in the law.
Book your exam date in advance: at the Goethe-Institut Tashkent, places open on the 1st of every month (details).
Before the exam, try all the modules in the exam format — for example, with a Modelltest.

This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules change. Before submitting documents, check the current requirements of the German embassy in Tashkent and the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Which German level do I need to go to Germany for work?

It depends on the occupation and the type of visa. For a skilled-worker visa the level is usually set by the employer; doctors need B2 and the Fachsprachprüfung, and nurses in Hessen need at least B2. The Chancenkarte requires at least A1 German or B2 English.

Which level is needed for family reunion (Ehegattennachzug)?

Under AufenthG § 30 the spouse must be able to communicate in German at least at a simple level (A1). There are exceptions in some cases, for example for the spouse of an EU Blue Card holder. The Tashkent embassy's document list asks for proof of A1.

Is B1 mandatory for Ausbildung?

Under AufenthG § 16a(3), proof of B1 is required only if the training institution has not tested your language and no preparatory language course is planned. In practice employers and vocational schools often set their own requirement.

Which certificate is accepted: Goethe, telc or ÖSD?

In Germany certificates from the Goethe-Institut, telc and ÖSD are generally used, but which one is accepted is decided in each case by the embassy or the relevant authority. Check the embassy's document list before you register for an exam.

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