The short answer: An Intensivkurs (20–30 h/week) gets you one CEFR level in 4–8 weeks for €600–1,500/month. An Abendkurs (4–10 h/week) takes 3–6 months per level for €200–500/month. A Wochenendkurs (4–8 h/week) matches the evening pace at €150–400/month. Your visa situation, job, and budget decide the winner.
Every year thousands of people arrive in Germany to study German — and pick the wrong course format. They either burn out in an Intensivkurs they cannot keep up with, or they sign up for an Abendkurs and realise two years later that their German is still at A2. Choosing the right format from day one saves money, time, and frustration.
This guide gives you the full picture. You will know exactly which format fits your life.
| Feature | Intensivkurs | Abendkurs | Wochenendkurs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours per week | 20–30 h | 4–10 h | 4–8 h |
| Lessons per day | 4–6 | 2–3 evenings | Sat + Sun |
| Time to 1 CEFR level | 4–8 weeks | 3–6 months | 3–5 months |
| Monthly cost (Berlin) | €600–1,200 | €200–450 | €150–350 |
| Monthly cost (Munich) | €800–1,500 | €250–500 | €180–400 |
| Visa-eligible (§ 16f) | Yes (≥18 h/week) | No | No |
| Best for | Visa holders, full-time students | Workers, au pairs | Busy professionals |
| Class size typical | 8–15 students | 8–20 students | 6–14 students |
An Intensivkurs is full-time language study. You go to class every weekday, typically from 08:30 or 09:00 until 13:00 or 14:00. That gives you 20–25 contact hours per week. Some schools offer extended Intensivkurse with afternoon modules that push it to 30 hours.
At 20 hours per week, you cover the same material in one month that an Abendkurs covers in three or four months. The immersion effect is real: your brain switches into German-mode because there is no alternative for most of the day.
The Common European Framework (CEFR) estimates 80–120 hours to move one level (A1→A2, A2→B1, etc.). At 20 hours per week:
So A1 to B2 takes roughly 6–8 months in a full Intensivkurs. Compare that to 2–3 years in an Abendkurs. If you want to start a German university programme or pass the TestDaF, the Intensivkurs is almost always the correct choice.
Prices vary significantly by school type and city:
| School type | Monthly cost (Berlin) | Monthly cost (Munich) |
|---|---|---|
| Private language school | €700–1,200 | €900–1,500 |
| Volkshochschule (VHS) | €200–400 | €250–450 |
| Goethe-Institut | €900–1,400 | €1,000–1,500 |
| Small independent school | €500–900 | €600–1,100 |
Volkshochschulen are publicly subsidised and often half the price of private schools. Quality is generally solid for A1–B1 levels. For B2 and above, private schools often have more specialised exam preparation.
The biggest mistake is underestimating the mental load. Six hours of class plus two to three hours of homework per day leaves you exhausted. Students who also try to work part-time or manage complex lives often fall behind by week three. If you cannot commit fully, consider a semi-intensive format instead.
An Abendkurs meets two or three evenings per week, typically 18:00–21:00. You get 4–6 hours of German per week plus homework. Most courses last a full semester (3–4 months) to cover one CEFR level.
Some schools also offer late-afternoon slots (16:00–19:00), which function identically. The key feature is that your daytime schedule stays free for work, university, or other obligations.
At 6 hours of class per week and 2–4 hours of homework, you accumulate roughly 32–40 hours per month. To cover one CEFR level (80–120 hours) takes 2–4 months of consistent attendance. In practice, most students reach the next level in one semester (3–4 months) because teachers pace the material to the group.
Realistically:
This is not a failure — it is the natural result of 6 hours per week. Many people reach B1 or B2 via the Abendkurs while working full-time. The key is consistency. Missing two or three weeks sets you back noticeably at this pace.
| School type | Monthly cost (Berlin) | Monthly cost (Munich) |
|---|---|---|
| Private language school | €280–450 | €320–500 |
| Volkshochschule (VHS) | €60–150 | €80–180 |
| Online with in-person option | €150–300 | €150–300 |
VHS Abendkurse are genuinely cheap. In many cities you can do a full semester for under €100. The trade-off is large class sizes (sometimes 20+ students) and less individual attention.
Evening fatigue is real. After a full workday, concentration drops. Students who attend Abendkurse regularly report that the last 30–45 minutes of a three-hour session are much less productive. Sitting in the front row and doing all homework the same evening helps significantly.
A Wochenendkurs concentrates your German study into Saturday and Sunday. Typical format: Saturday 09:00–13:00 and Sunday 09:00–13:00, giving you 8 hours per weekend. Some schools run Saturday-only formats with longer sessions (09:00–15:00, so 6 hours in one day).
At 8 hours per weekend, you accumulate roughly 32 hours per month — similar to an Abendkurs. Timeline to reach one CEFR level: 3–5 months. The concentrated format (all your German in two days) suits some learners better than spreading it across five evenings.
Psychologically, many students prefer the Wochenendkurs because it keeps weekday evenings free for social life, sports, and rest. The cost of this is the “forgetting curve” — five days pass between Friday evening and Saturday morning. Regular review during the week is more important in this format than in any other.
| School type | Monthly cost (Berlin) | Monthly cost (Munich) |
|---|---|---|
| Private language school | €220–380 | €260–420 |
| Volkshochschule (VHS) | €50–130 | €70–160 |
| Intensive weekend (crash) | €350–600 | €400–700 |
Some schools offer monthly intensive weekend courses (Friday evening + full Saturday + Sunday morning) designed for people who want faster progress without committing to a full week. These function more like a mini-Intensivkurs.
A growing number of schools now offer semi-intensive formats: 15–20 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday with shorter daily sessions (3–4 hours). This format has become popular because it solves the two main problems of the extremes:
| Feature | Semi-Intensive | Intensivkurs | Abendkurs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours per week | 15–20 h | 20–30 h | 4–10 h |
| Time per level | 6–10 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Monthly cost | €450–900 | €600–1,500 | €200–500 |
| Visa-eligible (§ 16f) | Yes (if ≥18 h) | Yes | No |
Semi-intensive courses also leave afternoon time free for work, meaning you can do a few hours of freelance work or a mini-job while still qualifying for the language course visa. This is a significant practical advantage.
Use this table to find your starting point. Then read the nuances below.
| Your situation | Recommended format |
|---|---|
| On a § 16f language course visa | Intensivkurs (≥18 h/week) or Semi-Intensive |
| Working full-time (35–40 h/week) | Abendkurs or Wochenendkurs |
| Working part-time (20 h/week) | Semi-Intensive or Intensivkurs |
| Enrolled in German university | Abendkurs at VHS (slow and cheap) |
| Hard deadline in 6 months | Intensivkurs |
| On a tight budget | VHS Abendkurs (cheapest per hour) |
| Shift work or travel schedule | Wochenendkurs |
| Parent with young children | Wochenendkurs (daytime slots) |
| Au pair (mornings busy) | Abendkurs (3 evenings/week) |
| Retired or independent income | Intensivkurs (most efficient) |
If you enter Germany on a § 16f Aufenthaltserlaubnis (language course residence permit), the Ausländerbehörde will want proof that you are enrolled in a course with at least 18 hours of instruction per week. A standard Abendkurs (6–8 h/week) does not meet this threshold.
Check your visa conditions carefully. Some visa holders can supplement an Abendkurs with a certificate from the immigration office if they are transitioning between courses, but this is the exception. When in doubt, choose the Intensivkurs. Read the full breakdown in our German language course visa guide.
Many successful language learners use a two-phase approach:
Phase 1 — Intensive start (2–3 months) Begin with an Intensivkurs to reach A2 or B1 quickly. This gives you enough German to function in daily life, which reinforces learning outside the classroom. It also satisfies visa requirements during an initial permit period.
Phase 2 — Maintenance via Abendkurs Once you have B1 and are settled into work or university life, switch to an Abendkurs for B2. You progress more slowly, but the cost drops significantly and you can sustain it for months without burnout.
This combination is used by many language learners who arrive in Germany on a student or work visa, spend the first three months in an Intensivkurs, then switch to evening study while working.
| Course format | Hours/week | § 16f eligible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensivkurs (full) | 20–30 h | Yes | Most common visa format |
| Semi-Intensive | 15–20 h | Yes (if ≥18 h) | Check with school for confirmation |
| Abendkurs | 4–10 h | No | Below 18 h threshold |
| Wochenendkurs | 4–8 h | No | Below 18 h threshold |
| Combo (Semi + Online) | 18+ h combined | Sometimes | Must be same accredited school |
The 18-hour minimum is a floor, not a ceiling. Some visa-holders choose to enroll in 25–30 hour Intensivkurse for stronger language progress and to demonstrate serious intent to the Ausländerbehörde.
Germany has significant price variation by city. Here is a realistic monthly budget for each format:
| City | Intensivkurs | Semi-Intensive | Abendkurs | Wochenendkurs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | €600–1,200 | €450–850 | €200–450 | €150–350 |
| Munich | €800–1,500 | €600–1,000 | €250–500 | €180–400 |
| Hamburg | €700–1,300 | €500–900 | €220–480 | €160–380 |
| Frankfurt | €750–1,300 | €550–950 | €230–480 | €170–380 |
| Cologne | €650–1,100 | €450–800 | €200–440 | €150–340 |
| Stuttgart | €700–1,200 | €500–880 | €220–460 | €160–360 |
| Smaller cities | €400–800 | €300–600 | €150–350 | €100–250 |
Munich and Frankfurt are consistently the most expensive. Berlin has the widest range — from budget VHS courses at €200/month to premium private schools at €1,200+. Smaller cities like Leipzig, Nuremberg, or Freiburg are 20–40% cheaper than Munich.
For a full breakdown of city-by-city living costs while studying, see our cost of living comparison for 15 German cities.
Almost every school offers a free placement test (online or in-person). Do not skip it. Students who overestimate their level and join a class too advanced waste money and confidence. Students who underestimate end up bored and under-challenged.
Many schools allow one free or low-cost trial lesson. Use it. The teaching style, classroom atmosphere, and classmates matter as much as the schedule. A trial lesson costs nothing and can save you from a bad three-month commitment.
An Intensivkurs with 20 students per teacher is not an Intensivkurs. You need speaking time. Ask the school: “What is the maximum class size for this course?” Good schools cap intensive classes at 12–15 students. Evening courses up to 18–20 are normal. Weekend courses of 8–12 are ideal.
If you need the course for visa purposes, confirm that the school is registered as an accredited language school (Sprachschule) with a valid business registration. Not all cheap tutoring services qualify. Schools listed at sprachschule.org/en/suche are verified.
A beautiful school 45 minutes away is a problem at 08:30 every morning. Especially for Intensivkurse, pick a school within 20–30 minutes of where you live. A long commute eats into study and rest time.
Wondering how much you can work while studying? This depends heavily on your course format. Our guide to working during a German language course has the full details, but here is the summary:
| Course format | Realistic work hours/week | Visa work permission |
|---|---|---|
| Intensivkurs (§ 16f) | 10–15 h | 120 days/year (full) or 240 half-days |
| Semi-Intensive (§ 16f) | 15–20 h | Same as above |
| Abendkurs (no visa restriction) | 35–40 h | Depends on visa type |
| Wochenendkurs (no visa) | 35–40 h | Depends on visa type |
If you are studying on a § 16f visa, you are permitted to work up to 120 full days or 240 half-days per calendar year. In practice, many students in Intensivkurse work 2–3 evenings per week in hospitality or as freelancers.
Yes. Most schools allow mid-course transfers if space is available. Notify the school and the Ausländerbehörde if you are on a § 16f visa — a format change that drops you below 18 hours/week may affect your permit. Give at least two weeks’ notice and get written confirmation from the school.
Not in total hours, but psychologically many learners find it more effective. Concentrating 8 hours into two consecutive days creates stronger memory consolidation than three non-consecutive 2-hour sessions. It depends on your learning style.
VHS Abendkurse prepare you for the same CEFR exams (Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, ÖSD). The certificate comes from the exam body, not the school. A VHS B1 certificate has the same value as one from a private school.
Intensivkurs: 8–15. Abendkurs: 10–20. Wochenendkurs: 6–14. Smaller classes cost more; larger classes are cheaper but offer less speaking time per student.
Missing more than 15–20% of sessions (roughly 3–4 days per month) usually means you cannot pass the end-of-level test and cannot move to the next level. Some schools let you make up missed lessons in a later class. For visa purposes, regular attendance is mandatory — absences may be reported to the Ausländerbehörde.
Hybrid formats (part online, part in-person) have become popular since 2020 and work well for B1+. For absolute beginners at A1–A2, in-person study has a measurable advantage for pronunciation and speaking confidence. Pure online Abendkurse are cheaper and more flexible but require strong self-discipline.
Yes, but expect very little free time. Students preparing for TestDaF or DSH while in an Intensivkurs typically spend 6–8 hours per day on language study (class + exam prep). This is sustainable for 2–3 months; beyond that, burnout rates are high. Plan recovery time.
VHS Abendkurs for A1 through B1, then a targeted B2 Intensivkurs for the final level. Total estimated cost in Berlin: €600–900 for the Abendkurs phase (12–18 months at VHS rates) plus €600–800 for a 4–6-week B2 Intensivkurs. Under €1,800 total is achievable.
The format is only half the decision. The right school matters too. Course quality, teacher experience, class size, and location vary enormously — even within the same format.
Use our school search tool to compare verified schools by city, format, price, and level. Every school listed has been manually reviewed.
For a structured study plan once you have enrolled, see our A1 to B2 six-month study plan.
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