The German Integration Course (Integrationskurs): A Complete Guide

The Integrationskurs is Germany's official language-and-orientation program for immigrants, run under the umbrella of BAMF (the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). If you've recently moved to Germany, it's very likely the cheapest structured path to B1 you'll find — and for some, it's mandatory. Here's how it works.

The structure: 700 hours

• 600 hours language course — six modules of 100 hours, from A1 to B1. A placement test (Einstufungstest) decides where you start; many people skip the early modules.
• 100 hours orientation course (Orientierungskurs) — German law, history, and culture, ending with the "Leben in Deutschland" test (33 questions from a public catalogue; 15 correct passes).

Who can join — and who must

• Entitled (Berechtigung): most newly arrived residents with a long-term perspective can apply for a spot via BAMF or be admitted by a course provider.
• Obliged (Verpflichtung): the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) or Jobcenter can oblige you to attend, typically when German is needed for integration or when receiving benefits. The obligation letter matters — bring it to registration.
• EU citizens can participate if spots are free; German citizens generally cannot.

Costs — often less than you think

• Standard contribution: a few euros per lesson hour (the state pays more than half).
• Full exemption (Kostenbefreiung) if you receive Bürgergeld or other benefits — apply at BAMF with proof.
• Pass the final exam within two years of admission and you can get 50% of your paid contributions refunded.

The final exam: DTZ

The course ends with the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) — a B1-level exam. Crucially, the DTZ certifies your result at either A2 or B1 level depending on performance. The B1 result is what fulfils the language requirement for the permanent residence permit and (together with the Leben-in-Deutschland test) supports naturalization. If you land at A2, you can repeat — and if obliged, you may get 300 extra subsidized hours.

Practical tips from the trenches

• Course quality varies by provider (VHS, private schools, charities). Visit two before enrolling if you can.
• Intensive (daily) courses reach B1 in ~7 months; evening courses take over a year. Choose honestly around your job and energy.
• The course alone rarely suffices for a confident B1 — plan 30 minutes of self-study daily. Our free practice courses mirror exactly the four DTZ skills, including AI-corrected writing.