Which German Certificate Do You Need for Citizenship?

DTZ, Goethe B1, telc B1, or the "skalierte A2/B1-Prüfung" — which German certificate does your Einbürgerungsbehörde actually accept? A clear, no-fluff comparison for 2026.

If you've spent any time on immigration forums, you've probably seen the same question asked a dozen different ways: "Do I need the DTZ or can I use my telc B1? Does Goethe count too? What's the difference between DTZ and the 'skalierte Prüfung'?" The confusion is real, and it's not really your fault — Germany accepts several different certificates for citizenship, they're issued by different organizations, and the rules depend partly on which authority (Ausländerbehörde or Einbürgerungsbehörde) is handling your file.

This guide untangles it in plain terms.

The short answer

For German citizenship (Einbürgerung) under §10 StAG, you need to demonstrate German language ability at B1 level. The following certificates are all accepted, and are broadly equivalent for this purpose:

If you already completed a BAMF-funded Integrationskurs, your DTZ certificate from that course is almost always sufficient — you don't need to sit a separate exam. If you didn't take an Integrationskurs, or your DTZ only certified A2, you'll need to book one of these exams separately.

One detail that trips people up constantly: it's your specific Ausländerbehörde or Einbürgerungsbehörde that decides which certificate they'll accept for your individual case — not a single nationwide rule. Most accept all of the above interchangeably, but if your case has any complications (naturalization under a specific paragraph, a shortened residency track, etc.), it's worth confirming with your caseworker before you book an exam, so you don't end up sitting the wrong one.

DTZ, Goethe B1, and telc B1 — what's actually different between them

All three certify the same B1 level under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), and for citizenship purposes, authorities generally treat them as equal. Where they differ is in who they're designed for and how they're administered.

DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer)

Goethe-Zertifikat B1

telc Deutsch B1

The practical takeaway

If you're doing an Integrationskurs: just do the DTZ that comes with it — it's already built in, and it's specifically prepared for the course content. If you need a B1 certificate on your own, outside a course, telc B1 is usually easiest to book quickly, and Goethe B1 is worth considering if international recognition matters to you. All three satisfy the citizenship requirement equally.

Understanding your DTZ result: A2 vs. B1

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the DTZ, so it's worth spelling out clearly.

The DTZ is scored on a single 0–100 scale, and there's no separate pass/fail line — instead, your total score determines which level you're certified at:

If citizenship specifically requires B1, an A2 result from your DTZ won't be enough on its own — you'd need to retake and reach the B1 threshold, or bring a different B1-level certificate instead. But it's worth knowing your A2 result isn't wasted: it's still useful documentation, and it tells you exactly how close you are to B1, which helps you target your prep for a retake.

One more detail that catches people out: to receive a B1 certificate overall, you need to reach B1 not just on the combined written score, but specifically in the speaking (Sprechen) portion, plus at least one of the written sections (Lesen/Hören combined, or Schreiben). A strong written score can't fully compensate for a weak speaking result if your speaking falls below A2 — so don't neglect Sprechen practice in favor of just drilling vocabulary lists.

Do you need the language certificate AND the Einbürgerungstest?

Yes — and this is the part that surprises the most people. German citizenship requires two separate things, not one:

  1. A B1 language certificate (DTZ, Goethe B1, telc B1, or equivalent) — proves your German ability
  2. The Einbürgerungstest (also called the "Leben in Deutschland"-Test) — proves knowledge of Germany's legal and social order

These are entirely independent requirements. Passing one doesn't substitute for the other, and you can take them in either order. The Einbürgerungstest itself is a 33-question multiple-choice exam drawn from an official pool of 300 nationwide questions plus 10 state-specific ones (Bundesland-specific), and it's administered separately from any language exam — usually at your local Volkshochschule.

If you're preparing for citizenship, it's worth treating both as parallel tracks from the start, rather than finishing your language exam and only then discovering you still have a whole separate civic-knowledge test ahead of you.

A quick comparison table

| | DTZ | Goethe B1 | telc B1 | |---|---|---|---| | Administered by | g.a.s.t. (on behalf of BAMF) | Goethe-Institut | telc GmbH | | Content focus | Integrationskurs topics | General B1 German | General B1 German | | Level outcome | A2 or B1 (dual-level) | B1 only | B1 only | | Typical setting | Built into Integrationskurs | Standalone test centers | Widest network, incl. many VHS | | Best for | Integrationskurs graduates | International recognition needs | Fastest booking availability | | Accepted for citizenship | Yes (with B1 result) | Yes | Yes |

Frequently asked questions

Is a DTZ certificate with an A2 result useless for citizenship? Not useless — but not sufficient on its own if your specific case requires B1. It's valid documentation of your A2 level and can support other parts of your file, but you'll need a separate B1-level result from somewhere (a DTZ retake, or a Goethe/telc B1) to satisfy the language requirement for standard naturalization.

Can I take telc B1 without attending an Integrationskurs first? Yes. Unlike the DTZ, which is typically tied to Integrationskurs completion, telc and Goethe B1 exams can be booked independently, with no course prerequisite. You register directly through a test center.

If I fail one part of telc B1, do I have to retake the whole exam? It depends on the level. For telc A1/A2, the entire exam must be retaken if you don't pass. For telc B1/B2/C1, individual written or oral sub-sections can sometimes be retaken separately — check with your specific test center, since this can vary.

Does my Ausländerbehörde definitely accept all three certificates equally? In the large majority of cases, yes — DTZ (B1), Goethe B1, and telc B1 are treated as equivalent proof of B1 German for standard citizenship applications. But because individual caseworkers and specific naturalization paths can vary, it's always worth a quick confirmation with your own Einbürgerungsbehörde before booking, especially if your case involves any non-standard circumstances.

Do I need to pass the Einbürgerungstest and the language exam at the same time, or can I space them out? You can take them in either order and at different times — there's no requirement to complete them together. Many applicants find it easier to prepare for one at a time rather than juggling both simultaneously.

ExamDeutsch offers DTZ-style mock exams alongside the complete official Einbürgerungstest question bank — all 310 questions — free, in one place, so you can prepare for both citizenship requirements without switching between platforms. Explore DTZ practice tests →

← Back to all articles