German Language Test for Immigrants: What Were the Rules Until Now?
The German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) is the exam taken at the end of an integration course. It assesses German language skills in three areas:
- Listening and Reading
- Writing
- Speak
To pass the exam with a B1 overall score, participants previously had to achieve a B1 level in two of the three sections.
The speaking section of the exam always had to be passed at the B1 level. In addition, the B1 level had to be achieved in either the reading and listening section OR the writing section. There was no minimum requirement for the third section.
Simply put: Until now, anyone who wanted to pass the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) at the B1 level had to achieve at least the following score:
- Speaking: at least B1
- Listening/Reading OR Writing: at least B1
What will be more difficult on the German test starting in November 2026?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior now plans to tighten this rule. In the future, participants will be required to achieve a certain minimum score in all three areas.
The new rule is set to take effect on November 1, 2026. Anyone who wants to pass the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) at the B1 language level by then must achieve the following scores:
- Speaking: at least B1
- Listening/Reading OR Writing: at least B1
- In the third exam section: at least A2
So what's new is that students must now achieve at least the A2 level in the third exam section as well. Previously, this was not required.
The following table provides an overview of the scores you will need to achieve in the future to pass the German test for immigrants at the B1 level:
Speak | Listening and Reading | Writing | Passed B1 |
|---|---|---|---|
B1 | B1 | B1 | Yes |
B1 | B1 | A2 | Yes |
B1 | A2 | B1 | Yes |
B1 | B1 | Under A2 | No |
B1 | Under A2 | B1 | No |
B1 | A2 (or lower) | A2 (or lower) | No |
Below B1 | any | any | No |
Important: Anyone who does not meet the new requirements for B1 will receive either an A2 certificateor simply a notification of their test results, depending on their score. However, for future Naturalization , however, the A2 language level is not sufficient.
Why are the rules getting stricter?
According to the ministry, the reason for the stricter rules is attempts to cheat on the German language test for immigrants. The ministry stated that there have been repeated cases in the past where test-takers illegally purchased the correct answers online.
The listening and reading sections of the exam are particularly affected. In these sections, test-takers must answer a total of 45 questions. Those who already know the answers can simply check the correct ones without having to actually solve the problems.
With these stricter rules, the Ministry of the Interior aims to prevent these attempts at fraud and make the exams more secure.
Do the new rules also apply to other B1 language exams?
The planned changes apply only to the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ). Other recognized B1 language exams, such as those offered by telc or the Goethe-Institut, are not affected.
The difference: The DTZ is taken at the end of an integration course. Other language exams can be taken at the end of a language course or independently of it. Anyone who already speaks German well enough can register for such an exam even without taking a language course.
Important: Both the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) and a B1 language certificate from another recognized provider can be accepted as proof of Naturalization or Settlement permit .
So anyone who takes a B1 exam through telc, the Goethe-Institut, or another recognized provider is not affected by the new rules. Anyone who takes the DTZ exam at the end of an integration course should expect stricter rules starting November 1.
