The integration course: 700 hours to B1

The Integrationskurs is a state-subsidised programme designed to help newcomers to Germany develop German language skills and understand German law, history, culture, and society. Combining around 600 hours of intensive German lessons with a 100-hour orientation course on German life, this 700-hour journey culminates in two final exams: the DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) language test and the Leben in Deutschland civics test. Whether you are entitled, obliged, or able to attend depends on your residence permit status and language level.

Who can attend the integration course?

Eligibility for the Integrationskurs falls into three broad categories. First, certain groups are legally entitled to attend. Second, some people are formally obliged to attend by their Ausländerbehörde (immigration office), Jobcenter, or social welfare office. Third, EU citizens and other residents may apply voluntarily if places are available.

Entitled to attend

You have a legal right to an Integrationskurs if you hold a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) issued for more than one year and fall into certain categories: recognised refugees, persons entitled to subsidiary protection, persons with residence permits for employment purposes, late repatriates (Spätaussiedler), and several other groups with humanitarian or tolerated status. Non-EU citizens receiving a multi-year residence permit typically receive a Berechtigungsschein (certificate of eligibility) automatically from your immigration office when the permit is issued.

Obliged to attend

You may be formally obligated to attend if your Ausländerbehörde, Jobcenter, or social welfare office determines that you need to improve your German or integration capabilities. Such an obligation is issued in writing. When you are obliged to attend, the full cost is waived by BAMF, and you receive free instruction.

Voluntary participation (with restrictions)

EU citizens and other residents without a formal entitlement or obligation may request to participate voluntarily. However, access to voluntary courses is limited. As of 2026, BAMF has announced a freeze on approving voluntary participations due to budget constraints, meaning new voluntary admissions are not being granted. If you want to attend without entitlement or obligation, you must pay the full course fees yourself.

How to apply

Before you can enrol in a course, you need a Berechtigungsschein (certificate of eligibility or obligation) from BAMF. This is your official permission slip to register with a course provider.

Getting your certificate

If you are entitled or obliged, contact your local BAMF regional office (Außenstelle). You can find the office responsible for your area on the BAMF website. Download the application form from bamf.de, complete it, and submit it along with supporting documents: a copy of your residence permit or Duldung (tolerated stay), proof of identity, and any documentation of financial hardship if you plan to request a fee waiver. Applications can be submitted online via the federal portal (Verwaltungsportal) if you have an eID, or by post to your regional BAMF office.

Finding and registering with a provider

Once you receive your Berechtigungsschein, use the BAMF Kurssuche (course finder) at bamf.de/kurssuche to locate accredited providers near you. Approved providers include Volkshochschulen (VHS—public adult education centres) and private language schools. You then register directly with your chosen provider, presenting your certificate and passport photo. Registration must occur within three months of receiving your certificate, and is subject to available space in the course.

Course structure and content

The standard Integrationskurs consists of 700 hours: approximately 600 hours of language instruction and 100 hours of orientation on German society, politics, law, and culture.

Language component

The language component spans six modules and brings you from beginner level to B1 (upper intermediate). You learn practical everyday German—how to communicate with authorities, handle official paperwork, manage healthcare, understand employment, and engage in social situations. By the end, you should be able to act independently in most daily matters.

Orientation course (Orientierungskurs)

The orientation component teaches you about the German political system, democracy, law and rights, equal rights for men and women, religious diversity, recent history, and German culture and everyday life. This module is always conducted in German—there are no official translations. This is intentional: by the time you reach this stage, you should have sufficient B1 language skills. The course material and exam are designed to be accessible at that level.

Costs and fee waivers

Integrationskurs participants typically pay a fee of EUR 2.29 per lesson hour. For a full 700-hour course, this amounts to around EUR 1,603 in total. However, substantial reductions and waivers are available.

Who pays nothing

If you are obliged to attend (by a formal obligation letter from your Ausländerbehörde, Jobcenter, or welfare office), BAMF covers the entire cost and you pay nothing. Additionally, if you receive citizens' allowance (Bürgergeld), unemployment benefits, or other welfare assistance, you are automatically exempt from course fees.

Fee waivers based on income

If you are not on benefits but have a low income, you can apply for a cost exemption (Kostenbefreiung). BAMF assesses eligibility based on your gross monthly income. If your earnings are below approximately 33 per cent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance scheme (adjusted upwards if you have children), you may qualify for a full waiver. Apply by submitting the fee waiver form to your local BAMF office, along with proof of your income or benefit status (e.g., a notification of unemployment benefits or a tax declaration). Submit the application well in advance of your course start date; retroactive exemptions are not possible.

Successful completion refund

If you successfully complete the course within two years and pass both final exams (the DTZ at B1 level and the Leben in Deutschland test), BAMF will refund you 50 per cent of the fees you paid. To claim this refund, you must apply to your regional BAMF office after receiving your completion certificate. This refund can be substantial and makes the net cost more manageable.

The final examination: DTZ and Leben in Deutschland

Success in the Integrationskurs is measured by passing two final exams. Both are mandatory to receive the Zertifikat Integrationskurs (integration course certificate), which is recognised as proof of language ability and civic knowledge for residence and citizenship purposes.

The DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer)

The DTZ is the official language exam taken at the end of your course. It tests all four language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—at levels A2 and B1. The exam lasts approximately 115 minutes: 100 minutes for written sections (listening, reading, writing) and about 15–16 minutes for the oral component. Your results are scaled and reported as either an A2 certificate or a B1 certificate; there is no simple pass or fail. You must achieve B1 in all four sections to receive a B1 certificate. Speaking carries the greatest weight (30 points out of 100 total), so do not underestimate the importance of oral practice. If you score below A2 overall, you receive confirmation of participation but no graded certificate.

The DTZ is included in your course fees; you do not pay extra for the first attempt. If you take the exam a second time, a repeat fee of EUR 160 applies. You must complete at least 100 teaching hours of the course before you are eligible to sit the DTZ.

The Leben in Deutschland test

After completing the orientation course, you take the Leben in Deutschland (Life in Germany) test. This 60-minute exam consists of 33 multiple-choice questions drawn from a published question bank. You must answer at least 17 questions correctly to pass. Thirty of the questions cover national topics such as the German political system, rights and responsibilities, history, democracy, and values like equality and religious freedom. Three questions focus on your federal state (Bundesland) and local legal particulars. The exam is free for all Integrationskurs participants. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may retake it for a fee of EUR 25.

Why the integration course matters for your future

Completing the Integrationskurs with a B1 result in the DTZ is more than a personal achievement—it unlocks important legal pathways in Germany.

Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit)

Successfully completing the integration course is accepted as proof of sufficient German language ability for the Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit or permanent residence permit). Under section 9, paragraph 2 of the Residence Act, if you hold a temporary residence permit and have been legally resident for the required period (typically 5 years), you can apply for permanent residence. Passing your Integrationskurs at B1 level satisfies the language requirement without needing to take a separate test. A permanent residence permit gives you the right to live and work in Germany indefinitely without needing to renew your permit.

German citizenship

For citizenship applications, you must demonstrate B1-level German. The DTZ B1 certificate from your Integrationskurs fulfils this requirement. You also must pass the Leben in Deutschland test, which covers the legal and social order of Germany—and successfully completing it as part of your Integrationskurs satisfies this requirement as well. Combined with other conditions (lawful residence for at least 5 years, financial independence, clean criminal record, and a declaration of loyalty to the free democratic order), passing the Integrationskurs substantially shortens your path to naturalisation.

What if you don't reach B1?

If you complete the course but only achieve an A2 result on the DTZ, you have not yet met the language requirement for permanent residence or citizenship. However, BAMF may approve a Förderkurs (intensive supplementary course) of 300 additional hours if you were formally obliged to attend the original course. This extra support is designed to help you reach B1. Participation in a Förderkurs is dependent on BAMF funding and availability. If you took the DTZ and scored below A2, you are entitled to retake the exam once for free through BAMF.

Practical tips for success

• Attend regularly: Missing lessons makes it harder to progress. The course is designed as a continuous journey, and gaps can leave you unprepared for the final exam.
• Use BAMF's free resources: Download the Leben in Deutschland question catalogue from bamf.de and practise the 310 national questions and 10 state-specific questions well in advance.
• Invest in speaking: The DTZ oral exam is worth 30 points and is often where students lose marks. Speak with classmates, your instructor, and language partners outside class.
• Ask about digital options: Some providers now offer hybrid or online components (though the final exam must be taken in person). If you have time constraints or travel difficulties, check whether your provider offers flexible learning.
• Plan your finances early: If you need a fee waiver, submit your application before your course starts. Processing can take time, and retroactive exemptions are not possible.
• Register for the exam in module 6: You typically register for the DTZ during the final module of your language course. Do not miss this deadline.

Finding your course provider

Use the BAMF Kurssuche at bamf.de/kurssuche to search for providers near you. You can filter by city, course start date, and course type. Over 1,700 providers are certified across Germany, including community colleges (Volkshochschulen), private language schools, and specialised integration course organisations. Many providers offer evening or weekend courses to accommodate working adults and parents. Some also offer fast-track intensive formats if you can commit to longer daily hours. Once you have your Berechtigungsschein, contact your preferred provider directly to reserve a place.