Goethe, telc, or ÖSD: many visa, residency, and citizenship applications for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland require a certified German exam. Our coaching builds exam preparation directly into your relocation roadmap, so you pass the test and arrive ready for real life.
Not sure of your level or which certificate applies to you? That's exactly what the free consultation is for.
The certificate you need depends on where you're moving and why. Here's the typical picture. Requirements change, so always confirm the current rules with the embassy or authority handling your application. In your consultation we'll pin down exactly what applies to your case.
| Country | Purpose | Typical level required | Accepted exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Spouse / family reunification visa | A1 | Goethe-Zertifikat A1, telc Deutsch A1 |
| Permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis) | B1 (sometimes A2 with the settlement track) | Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) | |
| Citizenship (Einbürgerung) | B1 (B2/C1 can shorten the residence requirement) | Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ | |
| Many skilled-work & study paths | Varies (often B1–B2 for study/recognition) | Goethe, telc, TestDaF (university) | |
| Austria | Residence permit (family, Rot-Weiß-Rot settlement track) | A1 before arrival; A2–B1 to renew/settle (Integration Agreement) | ÖSD, Goethe, telc, ÖIF-Test |
| Citizenship | B1 + integration requirements | ÖSD B1, ÖIF B1 | |
| Switzerland | Residence permits (B/C) in German-speaking cantons | Often A1 spoken for B permit; A2 spoken / A1 written for C permit (varies by canton) | fide, Goethe, telc, ÖSD |
| Citizenship | Typically B1 spoken / A2 written; cantons can require more | fide, recognized certificates |
The most widely recognized German certificate worldwide, accepted by German authorities and embassies. With testing centers across the US and Europe, it's often the most practical choice if you're preparing before your move.
Broadly accepted in Germany for visas, residency, and citizenship. Frequent exam dates at language schools across Germany make it often the easiest to book once you've arrived.
The Austrian certificate, standard for Austrian residence and citizenship applications and recognized in Germany and Switzerland too. The natural pick if Austria is your destination.
All three test the same four skills (reading, listening, writing, and speaking), and each has its own formats, timing, and scoring quirks. Knowing your exam's format inside out is worth a large part of the grade. That's what focused prep is for.
Most exam courses drill past papers and stop there. Our coaching treats the exam as one milestone inside your bigger goal: living confidently in German. You study once, and it counts twice.
We assess your current level, confirm which exam and level your application actually requires, and set a realistic timeline that fits your move date.
Regular sessions build the vocabulary and grammar your exam tests through the real-life situations you'll face abroad, so nothing you learn is exam-only.
Timed practice with real exam formats, speaking simulations, and honest feedback, so on test day there are no surprises, only routine.
In a free 15-minute consultation we'll check your level, confirm your requirement, and map the timeline to test day. No commitment, just clarity.