Language Test in Germany: New Rules for Immigrants

Germany is changing the procedure for administering the language exam for participants in integration courses. The new requirements pertain to the evaluation of test results and may take effect as early as November 1. Relocate.to reports on this.

We’ll explain below exactly what will change for test-takers, what parts the test consists of, why the government decided to tighten the rules, and what results migrants achieved in 2025.

Are you planning to study or work in Germany and want to understand the requirements for language certificates?

An education lawyer from the Visit World portal will advise you on your options and help you plan your next steps.

What will change in the German language exam for migrants starting November 1?

Starting November 1, Germany plans to introduce stricter rules for the language exam for migrants enrolled in integration courses, particularly for citizens of France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Only those candidates who successfully pass every part of the test, including the writing section, will receive a certificate. An unsatisfactory result in even one section will mean that the exam has not been passed, even if the total score is sufficient.

The changes were reported by BILD, citing a draft resolution from the German Ministry of the Interior. The document is currently in draft form.

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What sections make up the B1 language exam for migrants?

The language exam for participants in integration courses in Germany assesses four key skills. Until now, candidates could obtain a B1 certificate based on their total score, so a weak result in one section could be offset by strong results in others. Under the new rules, each section must be passed successfully. The German language proficiency test covers:

• listening;
• reading;
• writing;
• speaking.

How can a foreigner get a mortgage in Germany in 2026? — Find out by following the link.

Why is Germany tightening the requirements for the language test?

The main reason for the changes was instances of cheating during exam preparation. Some foreigners purchased ready-made answers to reading and listening comprehension tasks online and did not complete the writing section. The points they earned were sufficient to obtain a B1-level certificate, even though these candidates’ written German skills remained, in fact, untested.

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Why Migrants Need Written German: The German Interior Ministry’s Position

The German Interior Ministry considers written German an important prerequisite for the integration of foreigners. This skill is necessary for everyday communication, as well as for interacting with government agencies, education, and employment. That is why the ministry proposes not issuing certificates to candidates who fail the written portion of the exam.

About the cost of living in Germany in 2026—in this article.

Results of the language exam in Germany in 2025

In 2025, 318,550 migrants took the German language exam. More than half of the participants achieved a B1 level; some candidates received a lower score, and a few did not even reach the A2 level. The distribution of results is as follows:

1. B1 level — 55% of participants.
2. Level A2 — 32.2% of participants.
3. Below A2 — 12.8% of participants.

See also: Taxation for Foreigners in Germany in 2026.

Important! The new language exam rules apply to migrants who are taking integration courses and plan to study or work in Germany. An education lawyer from the Visit World portal will advise you on language certificate requirements, help you assess your options, and tell you what to look out for while preparing to study abroad.

Schedule a consultation with an education lawyer on the Visit World portal to get answers to your questions and plan your next steps!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed the best cities in Germany for expats to live in 2026.

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