Does the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 count for citizenship?

The Goethe-Institut states that the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is accepted as proof of German for the settlement permit and for citizenship in Germany. Your citizenship office decides on your application.

Does the DTZ count for citizenship?

The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) certifies A2 or B1 as the overall result. Below A2 there is no certificate, only a result letter. For citizenship you need the B1 result. Ask your office whether it accepts the DTZ.

How many points do I need in each module of the B1 exam?

60 of 100 points in each module. Reading, listening, writing and speaking are scored on their own, so each one must reach 60 points.

Can I retake one module of Goethe B1?

Yes. You can retake the whole exam or a single module as often as you want. A module you passed keeps its certificate. The test centre can set a waiting time before a retake date and tells you with your result.

How long is the Goethe B1 certificate valid?

The Goethe-Institut exam rules set no expiry date for the B1 certificate. The office that asks for your certificate, such as an embassy, a university or an employer, decides which certificates it accepts, so ask that office. Anyone can check that a certificate is real at goethe.de/verify.

German citizenship (Einbürgerung)

The German language rule for citizenship: B1 explained

For German citizenship you need German at level B1 (section 10 StAG). The Goethe-Institut states that its Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is accepted for citizenship, and you pass it with 60 of 100 points in each module.

Updated 21 October 2026, Faust Academy team

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B1 means you can handle everyday life and routine talks in German on your own, understand clear texts on familiar topics and write simple connected texts.

Your local citizenship office (Einbürgerungsbehörde) decides on your application. It tells you which certificates it accepts and whether an exception applies to you. Ask it before you book an exam.

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Certificates that show B1

Ask your citizenship office which of these it accepts.

The Goethe-Institut states that the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is accepted as proof of German for the settlement permit and for citizenship in Germany.
The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) certifies A2 or B1 as the overall result. Below A2 there is no certificate, only a result letter. For citizenship you need a DTZ result of B1, because A2 is below the level.
Other B1 certificates exist, such as telc Deutsch B1. Ask your office whether it accepts them.

Goethe-Zertifikat B1: the four modules

Part	Length	Tasks
Reading (Lesen)	65 minutes	30 tasks in 5 parts
Listening (Hören)	40 minutes	30 tasks in 4 parts
Writing (Schreiben)	60 minutes	3 writing tasks
Speaking (Sprechen)	Oral exam	3 parts, paired exam

Goethe B1 pass marks by module

Each module has its own result. A high score in one module does not make up for a low score in another.

Module	Maximum points	Pass mark
Reading (Lesen)	100	60 points
Listening (Hören)	100	60 points
Writing (Schreiben)	100	60 points
Speaking (Sprechen)	100	60 points

Modules and retakes

Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2 are modular. You can take Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen alone or together, and each passed module gets a certificate.

Module certificates from a later date can be combined with earlier ones. On request, and where the test centre can do it, an overall certificate shows the best results from one year.

Ask your citizenship office whether it wants all four modules on one certificate or accepts module certificates from different dates.

How to prepare for the citizenship language rule

Ask your citizenship office in writing which certificates it accepts.
Take one B1 practice paper of each module to see where you stand.
Spend most of your time on the module with the lowest score, because each module needs 60 points on its own.
Take new practice papers until every module is at 60 points or more.
Book the exam at a Goethe-Institut or Goethe test centre on goethe.de.

Goethe B1 practice papers on Faust

Faust has 48 Goethe B1 practice papers: 12 for Lesen, 12 for Hören, 12 for Schreiben and 12 for Sprechen. Every PDF is free, with the answers, and every listening paper comes with its audio.

Full access to every paper is paid. The pricing page shows the current price.

Frequently asked questions

Which German level do I need for German citizenship?: For German citizenship you need German at level B1 (section 10 StAG).
Does the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 count for citizenship?: The Goethe-Institut states that the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is accepted as proof of German for the settlement permit and for citizenship in Germany. Your citizenship office decides on your application.
Does the DTZ count for citizenship?: The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) certifies A2 or B1 as the overall result. Below A2 there is no certificate, only a result letter. For citizenship you need the B1 result. Ask your office whether it accepts the DTZ.
How many points do I need in each module of the B1 exam?: 60 of 100 points in each module. Reading, listening, writing and speaking are scored on their own, so each one must reach 60 points.
Can I retake one module of Goethe B1?: Yes. You can retake the whole exam or a single module as often as you want. A module you passed keeps its certificate. The test centre can set a waiting time before a retake date and tells you with your result.
How long is the Goethe B1 certificate valid?: The Goethe-Institut exam rules set no expiry date for the B1 certificate. The office that asks for your certificate, such as an embassy, a university or an employer, decides which certificates it accepts, so ask that office. Anyone can check that a certificate is real at goethe.de/verify.

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