Do I need German for a German work visa?

The permits for skilled workers in sections 18a and 18b AufenthG set no German level. You need German if the licence for a regulated job asks for it, if your employer asks for it, and later for the settlement permit.

What German level do I need for the Opportunity Card?

For the Opportunity Card on points you show at least A1 German or B2 English (section 20a (4) AufenthG). A recognised skilled worker can get the card without the points route and without this language rule.

Do I need German for the EU Blue Card?

No. Section 18g AufenthG sets no German level for the Blue Card. German shortens the way to the settlement permit: 27 months with A1, or 21 months with B1.

Which German level do I need for recognition measures?

For a permit under section 16d AufenthG you need German that fits the measure, as a rule at least A2 (hinreichende Deutschkenntnisse).

When do skilled workers need B1?

A skilled worker can get the settlement permit after three years with a work permit and adequate German (B1), among other rules (section 18c (1) AufenthG).

How are the Goethe exams scored?

Goethe A1: the exam has 100 points, 75 written and 25 speaking. You pass with 60 points in total, and you must take every part. Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2: each module has 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points.

Working in Germany

How much German do you need for the skilled worker visa?

The German skilled worker permits (sections 18a and 18b AufenthG) set no fixed German level. You need German when a regulated job needs a licence, for recognition measures (A2 as a rule), for the Opportunity Card on points (A1 German or B2 English) and later for the settlement permit (B1).

Updated 25 September 2026, Faust Academy team

Germany gives skilled workers from outside the EU a residence permit for a qualified job. A skilled worker has a vocational qualification or a degree that Germany recognises. The rules are in the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG).

Many people expect one German level for the whole work visa. The law is different: each permit and each step has its own rule. This page lists them, with the section of the law for each one.

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German by residence permit

Permit	German in the law	Source
Skilled worker with a vocational qualification	No level. A licence for a regulated job can ask for German.	§ 18a and § 18 (2) AufenthG
Skilled worker with a degree	No level. A licence for a regulated job can ask for German.	§ 18b and § 18 (2) AufenthG
EU Blue Card	No level	§ 18g AufenthG
Recognition measures (Anerkennung)	German that fits the measure, as a rule at least A2	§ 16d AufenthG
Opportunity Card on points (Chancenkarte)	At least A1 German or B2 English	§ 20a (4) AufenthG
Settlement permit for skilled workers	B1 after three years; Blue Card holders A1 after 27 months or B1 after 21 months	§ 18c AufenthG

The levels in German law

German residence law defines simple German as A1, sufficient German as A2 (hinreichend), adequate German as B1 (ausreichend) and full command as C1.

The permits above use these terms. Section 16d asks for hinreichende Deutschkenntnisse, which means A2. Section 20a asks for einfache Deutschkenntnisse, which means A1. Section 18c asks for ausreichende Deutschkenntnisse, which means B1. For Blue Card holders, section 18c also accepts einfache Deutschkenntnisse after a longer time.

Why German matters even without a level in the law

A permit for a skilled worker needs a job offer. If the job is regulated, it also needs the licence for that job (section 18 (2) AufenthG). Doctors are an example: the Approbation asks for the German that the work needs (section 3 BÄO), and the licensing authority checks it.

Employers also set their own rules. A job advert that asks for B2 German is a rule of the employer, not of the visa.

For your family, the spouse rule matters. A spouse who joins a partner in Germany must be able to communicate in German at least in a simple way (section 30 AufenthG). German law sets simple German at level A1 (section 2 (9) AufenthG). The law lists exceptions, for example for spouses of EU Blue Card holders.

The Goethe exam for each level

Level	Goethe exam	Pass rule
A1	Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1	60 of 100 points in total, all parts taken
A2	Goethe-Zertifikat A2	60 of 100 points, with at least 45 of 75 written and 15 of 25 speaking
B1	Goethe-Zertifikat B1	60 of 100 points in each module

Plan your German step by step

Check whether your job is regulated and ask the licensing authority which German it needs.
If you apply for recognition measures, plan for at least A2 before you enter.
If you apply for the Opportunity Card on points without B2 English, take an A1 exam first.
Aim for B1 in your first years in Germany, because the settlement permit needs it.
The Goethe-Institut exam rules name three formats: on paper at a test centre, digital on a laptop at a test centre, and, under certain conditions, online on your own computer. The structure, content and grading are the same in all three formats. Ask your test centre which formats it offers.

How Faust helps

Faust Academy has practice papers for every Goethe level from A1 to C2, 288 Goethe papers in total, in the Goethe exam format for Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen. Every paper gets a result.

One scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free.

Faust Academy is independent practice. It is not a product of the Goethe-Institut and issues no certificates.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need German for a German work visa?: The permits for skilled workers in sections 18a and 18b AufenthG set no German level. You need German if the licence for a regulated job asks for it, if your employer asks for it, and later for the settlement permit.
What German level do I need for the Opportunity Card?: For the Opportunity Card on points you show at least A1 German or B2 English (section 20a (4) AufenthG). A recognised skilled worker can get the card without the points route and without this language rule.
Do I need German for the EU Blue Card?: No. Section 18g AufenthG sets no German level for the Blue Card. German shortens the way to the settlement permit: 27 months with A1, or 21 months with B1.
Which German level do I need for recognition measures?: For a permit under section 16d AufenthG you need German that fits the measure, as a rule at least A2 (hinreichende Deutschkenntnisse).
When do skilled workers need B1?: A skilled worker can get the settlement permit after three years with a work permit and adequate German (B1), among other rules (section 18c (1) AufenthG).
Does my spouse need German if I have a Blue Card?: A spouse who joins a partner in Germany must be able to communicate in German at least in a simple way (section 30 AufenthG). German law sets simple German at level A1 (section 2 (9) AufenthG). The law lists exceptions, for example for spouses of EU Blue Card holders.
How are the Goethe exams scored?: Goethe A1: the exam has 100 points, 75 written and 25 speaking. You pass with 60 points in total, and you must take every part. Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2: each module has 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points.

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