integrAIt · Guides

German language guides for your visa

Which German level does your visa, permanent residence or citizenship need? Three short guides, each point tied to the statute it comes from.

Checked: October 2026

A1 German for the spouse visa
If your spouse lives in Germany and you apply to join them, the law usually asks you to show basic German, level A1, before you travel. This guide covers who has to prove it, who does not, and what the German mission in Pakistan asks for.
Read the guide
B1 German for permanent residence and citizenship
Most routes to a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or German citizenship ask for “sufficient German”, which the law defines as B1. This guide shows where B1 applies, how long each route takes and how to prove the level.
Read the guide
German for Ausbildung: which level do you need?
For a training visa with a contract, the statute asks for B1 only in one situation. For the permit to search for a training place, B1 is always required. This guide explains the difference.
Read the guide

What each German level unlocks

The levels follow the Common European Framework (A1 to B2). The law itself defines them in § 2 AufenthG.

Level	What it unlocks
A1	Spouse visa: the language requirement for joining a spouse in Germany (unless an exemption applies) § 30 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 1–2 AufenthG A1 German for the spouse visa Chancenkarte: the minimum for the points route (or English at B2), but it earns 0 language points § 20a Abs. 4 S. 3 Nr. 2 AufenthG Blue Card permanent residence after 27 months § 18c Abs. 2 AufenthG
A2	Chancenkarte: +1 point Anlage zu § 20a Abs. 3 Nr. 2, § 20b AufenthG
B1	Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) under § 9 after 5 years, or under § 18c after 3 years (2 with German training or degree) § 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG B1 German for permanent residence and citizenship Blue Card permanent residence after 21 months § 18c Abs. 2 AufenthG Citizenship after 5 years § 10 StAG B1 German for permanent residence and citizenship Ausbildung visa: the statutory level, required only if the provider has not tested your German and no preparatory course is planned § 16a Abs. 3 S. 2 AufenthG German for Ausbildung: which level do you need? Training-place search permit (up to 9 months) § 17 Abs. 1 AufenthG German for Ausbildung: which level do you need? Chancenkarte: +2 points Anlage zu § 20a Abs. 3 Nr. 2, § 20b AufenthG
B2	Chancenkarte: +3 points Anlage zu § 20a Abs. 3 Nr. 2, § 20b AufenthG

This is orientation, not legal advice. Laws and practice change. For a binding answer ask the German mission (embassy or consulate) or the Ausländerbehörde that handles your case.

German language guides for your visa

A1 German for the spouse visa

B1 German for permanent residence and citizenship

German for Ausbildung: which level do you need?

What each German level unlocks