Integration Course in Germany: The Complete 2026 Guide

The German Integrationskurs is 700 hours of structured learning: 600 hours of German language instruction and 100 hours of civics. It costs between €0 and €2,296 depending on your situation — and BAMF funds most of it. At the end, you sit the DTZ exam and aim for B1. That certificate opens the door to permanent residency and citizenship.

This guide covers everything: who must attend, who can volunteer, how the course is structured, what it actually costs, how to register, and what happens after you pass.

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What Is the Integrationskurs?

The Integrationskurs is a state-funded German language and integration programme run under the authority of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF). It was introduced in 2005 and is now the backbone of Germany’s immigration integration policy.

Every BAMF-approved course follows the same curriculum. You cannot pick and choose providers randomly — your course provider must be officially certified. There are thousands of approved providers across Germany, from adult education centres (Volkshochschulen) to private language schools.

What you learn in 700 hours:

• 600 hours: German language from A1 to B1 (or from your current level upward)
• 100 hours: German civic life, history, culture, law, and values (“Leben in Deutschland”)

The course ends with the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) and the “Leben in Deutschland” test. Pass both and you receive the official integration course certificate.

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Who Must Attend?

Attendance is legally required in certain situations. If you fall into one of these categories, you will receive an official invitation from the Ausländerbehörde (immigration authority):

• Newcomers with a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for work, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons — if your German is assessed as insufficient
• People receiving social benefits (Bürgergeld / Sozialhilfe) whom the Jobcenter deems to need language support
• Anyone whose Ausländerbehörde issues a formal obligation (Verpflichtung)

Refusing a mandatory course can affect your residence permit renewal. It is taken seriously.

Who is exempt from mandatory attendance:

• EU citizens and their family members
• Holders of an EU long-term residence permit from another member state
• People who already have B1 or higher (proven by a recognised certificate)
• Persons with a permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)

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Who Can Attend Voluntarily?

Even without a legal obligation, you may be eligible to participate:

• EU citizens and German nationals with insufficient German can apply voluntarily
• Recognised refugees and asylum seekers with a realistic chance of staying
• Long-term residents who never completed the course earlier
• People with a German Niederlassungserlaubnis who want to improve their German

Voluntary participants pay the same contribution rate as obligatory participants — they are not penalised financially. Places are allocated based on availability.

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Course Structure: 700 Hours in Detail

Language Module: 600 Hours

The language portion is split into two modules:

Module	Level	Hours
Basismodul (Foundation)	A1 → A2	300
Aufbaumodul (Advanced Foundation)	A2 → B1	300

You do not automatically start at A1. You take a placement test before the course begins. If you already have A2 skills, you may be placed directly into the Aufbaumodul and complete only 300 hours. This is called an abbreviated course (Verkürzung).

Each Unterrichtsstunde (lesson unit) is 45 minutes. Courses are offered in different formats:

• Full-time (Vollzeit): ~4–5 hours daily, Monday to Friday — course finishes in roughly 5–6 months
• Part-time (Teilzeit): ~2–3 hours, 3–4 days per week — takes approximately 12–18 months
• Evening courses: for working participants

Orientierungskurs: 100 Hours

The civics module covers:

• German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) and constitutional values
• German history: Weimar Republic, National Socialism, division and reunification
• Germany’s political system: Bundestag, Bundesrat, separation of powers
• Rule of law, freedom of religion, gender equality
• Daily life: healthcare, housing, employment, neighbourhood coexistence

This module is taught in German. You are expected to be at approximately B1 level before it begins.

Special Course Variants

Not every participant fits the standard format. BAMF certifies these specialised course types:

Course Type	Target Group
Alphabetisierungskurs	Participants who cannot read/write in Latin script — 1,000 hours total
Elternkurs	Parents with childcare obligations — adjusted timetable
Jugendintegrationskurs	16–27 year olds — combined language + vocational orientation
Frauenintegrationskurs	Women-only environments (some participants prefer this)
Intensivkurs	Faster-paced format: 430 hours for highly educated participants
Förderkurs	Additional 300 hours for participants who fail first DTZ attempt

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Costs: What You Actually Pay

The official rate per Unterrichtsstunde is €2.29 (2026 rate set by BAMF).

Full course calculation:

Component	Hours	Cost
Language module (Basismodul + Aufbaumodul)	700 UE	€1,603
Orientierungskurs	302 UE	€693
Total	1,002 UE	€2,296

(Note: BAMF counts Unterrichtsstunden at 45 minutes each; 600 clock-hours = 800 UE; total programme = approx. 1,000 UE)

Who Pays What?

You pay 50% (€1.145) if:

• You have a residence permit and are legally obligated to attend
• You are a voluntary participant without social benefit support

You pay nothing if:

• The Jobcenter or Sozialamt covers your costs (recipients of Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, AsylbLG benefits)
• You receive a full fee waiver from BAMF based on financial hardship

You get 50% back if:

• You pass the B1 DTZ exam within two years of registering
• This is called the Kostenbeitragserlass — BAMF refunds your contribution upon request

In practice, most participants either pay nothing (Jobcenter-funded) or receive a refund after passing. The effective cost for a motivated participant who passes B1 is €0.

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How to Register

Step 1: Get Your Zulassungsbescheid

You need an official approval document before you can enrol. There are two ways to get it:

Option A — Referral: If your Ausländerbehörde or Jobcenter obligates you, they issue the Zulassungsbescheid automatically. You receive it by post or in person at your appointment.

Option B — Self-registration: You can register yourself at BAMF:

1. Go to bamf.de and fill out the online application form
2. BAMF assesses your eligibility and sends a Zulassungsbescheid
3. You then find a certified course provider

Step 2: Find a Course Provider

Use the BAMF Kurssuche (course search) at bamf.de to find certified providers near you. Filter by:

• Your postal code / city
• Course type (standard, Alphabetisierung, Eltern, etc.)
• Start date

Search for language schools in Germany →

Step 3: Enrol

Contact the provider directly. Bring your Zulassungsbescheid, residence permit, and any existing language certificates. You will take a placement test on the first day.

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The DTZ Exam: Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer

The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer is the official end-of-course exam. It is developed by telc and administered at certified test centres.

What the DTZ Tests

Skill	Format
Reading	Multiple choice + short answer
Listening	Audio recordings with comprehension questions
Writing	Short written task (letter, form, message)
Speaking	Conversation with examiner

Results

The DTZ covers A2 and B1 levels. You receive one of three possible outcomes:

• B1 — the target level, required for Einbürgerung and Niederlassungserlaubnis
• A2 — partial pass; you have completed the course but not reached B1
• Below A2 — you have not passed; a Förderkurs (300 additional hours) is available

The “Leben in Deutschland” Test

The civics test runs alongside the DTZ. It consists of 33 multiple-choice questions from a pool of 300 officially published questions. You need at least 17 correct answers to pass.

All 300 questions are publicly available on the BAMF website for free preparation.

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What Happens After the Integrationskurs?

Passing the Integrationskurs — especially achieving B1 — has concrete legal consequences:

Path to Citizenship (Einbürgerung)

Under the 2024 reforms to the Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz:

• Standard path: 5 years with residence permit + B1
• Fast track for special contributions: 3 years with C1 and outstanding civic engagement

B1 is the minimum language requirement for any naturalisation application.

Path to Permanent Residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis)

A B1 certificate from the DTZ can be submitted as proof of language skills when applying for a Niederlassungserlaubnis after 5 years. Some permits allow earlier application with proof of integration.

If You Only Reach A2

You have completed the course but not met the full requirement. Your options:

• Take the Förderkurs (300 hours of additional support, free for obligated participants)
• Repeat the Aufbaumodul
• Continue privately with a language school

If You Fail the DTZ Entirely

You can retake the exam. The first retake is covered. Third and further attempts may require an additional contribution. There is no limit on the number of attempts.

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Integrationskurs vs. Private Language School: A Comparison

Factor	Integrationskurs	Private Language School
Cost	€0–€1,145 (usually refundable)	€200–€600/month
Duration	700 hours (structured)	Flexible
Certificate	DTZ (state-recognised)	TELC/Goethe (internationally recognised)
Curriculum	Fixed BAMF framework	Flexible, exam-prep focused
Class size	Up to 20	Usually 8–15
Flexibility	Limited schedule options	Full-time/part-time/online
Visa relevance	Directly accepted by authorities	Also accepted with right certificate
Best for	Newcomers needing official integration	People targeting work/university requirements

Many participants do both: the Integrationskurs for official recognition, and additional private lessons to accelerate progress or target specific goals like TestDaF for university.

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Tips for Successfully Completing the Course

Attend regularly. If you miss more than 30% of lessons, you do not receive the course certificate — even if you pass the exam. Attendance is tracked strictly.

Do the homework. The structured curriculum only works if you consolidate outside the classroom. 30 minutes of daily review doubles your retention.

Speak German outside class. The classroom gives you structure. The street gives you fluency. Talk to neighbours, shopkeepers, colleagues. Make mistakes loudly.

Prepare for the “Leben in Deutschland” test early. All 300 questions are public. Download the official question catalogue from BAMF and work through it from week one of the Orientierungskurs, not just the week before the test.

Track your attendance. Keep copies of all signed attendance sheets. If a dispute arises about your attendance record, you need your own documentation.

Apply for the cost refund. Many participants forget this. After passing B1 within two years, write to BAMF requesting the Kostenbeitragserlass. The money comes back.

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Internal Resources

• How long does each German level take? A1 to C2 timeline →
• German language course visa: the complete guide →
• Intensive vs. evening vs. weekend German course: which suits you? →
• Working during a language course in Germany →
• Cost of living in Germany: 15 cities compared →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the Basismodul if I already speak A2 German? Yes. You take a placement test before the course begins. If you demonstrate A2 level, you are placed directly into the Aufbaumodul (300 hours) and skip the first 300 hours. You still receive a full certificate upon passing the DTZ.

What happens if I miss more than 30% of lessons? You lose your right to the course certificate, even if you pass the DTZ exam. However, BAMF may allow you to continue in a new course if the absences were unavoidable (e.g., hospitalisation, court summons). Always inform your course provider immediately if you face unavoidable absences.

Is the Integrationskurs available online? BAMF approved online and blended-learning formats during the pandemic and has maintained some digital options. Ask your local provider whether hybrid or fully online participation is possible. Note: in-person attendance is still required for the final exam.

Can I do the Integrationskurs if I am an EU citizen? Yes, you can participate voluntarily. You are not obligated, but you are eligible. You pay the same contribution rate as non-EU participants — and receive the same refund if you pass B1.

What language is the Orientierungskurs taught in? German. There is no official translation. This is intentional: by the time you reach the civics module, you should have approximately B1 skills. Some providers distribute translated summaries informally, but the instruction and exam are in German only.

How do I find the list of certified Integrationskurs providers? Use the BAMF Kurssuche at bamf.de/kurssuche. You can filter by location, course type, and start date. There are over 1,700 certified providers across Germany.

Does completing the Integrationskurs guarantee citizenship? No. B1 is a necessary condition, not a sufficient one. You also need a certain number of years of residence, financial self-sufficiency, no serious criminal convictions, and other criteria. The Integrationskurs certificate demonstrates your language skills and integration effort — it is one important piece of the puzzle.

What is the difference between the DTZ and the Goethe B1 exam? Both certify B1 level. The DTZ is specifically designed for the Integrationskurs and is directly linked to residency/citizenship requirements in German immigration law. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is internationally recognised and often preferred for university or employer-facing applications. Both are accepted by German authorities as B1 proof.

Can I get a Förderkurs if I only reached A2? Yes, if you were obligated to attend the Integrationskurs (i.e., you had a formal obligation). The Förderkurs adds 300 hours of targeted support. Voluntary participants may also be eligible depending on BAMF capacity. Ask your provider or BAMF regional office directly.

My Ausländerbehörde says I must attend but there are no courses available nearby. What do I do? Notify your Ausländerbehörde in writing immediately. Course availability is not your legal responsibility — the obligation cannot be enforced if BAMF-certified courses are not available in your area within a reasonable distance. Document your attempts to register. BAMF also maintains a waiting list system.

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Related Articles

• How Long Does Each German Level Take? A1 to C2 Timeline
• German Language Course Visa: The Complete Guide
• Intensive vs. Evening vs. Weekend German Course: Which Is Right for You?
• Working During Your Language Course in Germany

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