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ΕλληνικάWhy Learn German?
Deutsch is the most widely spoken language in the EU and the foundation for a successful life in Germany. Good German language skills help you with:
- Government matters — forms, letters, conversations
- Work — Most jobs require at least B1
- Daily life — shopping, doctor visits, neighbors
- Integration — making friends, understanding culture
- Residence permits — B1 or B2 required for settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and citizenship
Language Levels (CEFR)
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) divides language skills into 6 levels:
| Level | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner — simple sentences, self-introduction | Deutschkurs start |
| A2 | Elementary — simple conversations | Minijob, basic government matters |
| B1 | Intermediate — manage everyday situations | Settlement permit, many jobs |
| B2 | Upper Intermediate — communicate fluently | Apprenticeship, study, qualified jobs |
| C1 | Advanced — understand complex texts | University, academic careers |
| C2 | Mastery — native speaker level | Interpreting, journalism |
Free Online Deutschkurs
Deutsche Welle (DW)
Deutsche Welle (dw.com/deutschlernen) offers one of the best free options:
- Nicos Weg — interactive video course (A1–B1), very popular
- Deutsch Interaktiv — self-paced course (A1–B1)
- Top-Thema — current news in simple German (B1–B2)
- Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten — news you can read along with
- Available in 30+ languages
VHS Lernportal
VHS Lernportal (vhs-lernportal.de) offers free BAMF-approved courses:
- A1, A2, B1, B2 — structured courses with exercises
- Exam preparation — DTZ, telc, Goethe
- Tutor support — real tutors correct your assignments
- Also available as an app
Goethe-Institut
Goethe-Institut (goethe.de) offers:
- Free: "Deutsch für dich" — community with exercises and learning games
- Paid: Online-Kurse with teacher (from €200/course), very high quality
- Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1–C2 (internationally recognized)
Other Free Offers
- Duolingo (app) — learn German playfully, good for beginners
- Busuu (app) — basic version free, Premium with tutor feedback
- Memrise (app) — learn vocabulary with spaced repetition system
- YouTube — channels like "Easy German", "Deutsch lernen mit der DW", "Learn German with Anja"
- Tandem (app) — language exchange with native speakers (free)
Paid Online-Kurse
| Provider | Cost | Level | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe-Institut | from €200 | A1–C2 | Teacher, certificate |
| DeutschAkademie | from €150 | A1–C1 | Live classes, small groups |
| Lingoda | from €60/month | A1–C1 | Native speakers, flexible |
| Babbel | €7–13/month | A1–B2 | App + web, structured |
| Preply | from €10/hour | A1–C2 | Private lessons, personalized |
| italki | from €8/hour | A1–C2 | Private lessons, affordable |
Deutschkurs Integrational Course — The Official Course
The Deutschkurs integracional course is the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees)-funded language course for newcomers:
- 600 hours of language instruction (A1–B1) + 100 hours of orientation course
- Cost: €2.29/hour (your share), free on basic income support
- Final exam: "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" (DTZ)
- Providers: VHS, Goethe-Institut, private language schools
- Authorization/Requirement through the immigration office
Also available online: Since the COVID pandemic, BAMF-approved Online-Integrationskurse are available.
Professional Language Courses (DeuFöV)
After completing the Deutschkurs integrational course, you can attend professional language courses:
- B2 course (400 hours) — for most professions
- C1 course (400 hours) — for academic professions
- Specialized courses — for nursing, retail, industrial technology
- Cost: free if unemployed or on basic income support, otherwise €2.42/hour
Exams and Certificates
Which Exam Do I Need?
| Purpose | Exam | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement permit | DTZ, Goethe B1, telc B1 | B1 |
| Citizenship | Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ | B1 |
| Apprenticeship | Goethe B1/B2, telc B1/B2 | B1–B2 |
| University | TestDaF, DSH | B2–C1 |
| Doctor/Pharmacist | Professional language exam | C1 |
| General | Goethe-Zertifikat, telc | A1–C2 |
Exam Costs
| Exam | Cost |
|---|---|
| DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) | included in Deutschkurs |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | approx. €250–280 |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B2 | approx. €260–290 |
| telc Deutsch B1/B2 | approx. €150–180 |
| TestDaF | approx. €195 |
Tips for Learning German
For Beginners (A1–A2)
- Practice daily — 20 minutes daily is better than 3 hours on weekends
- Listen and repeat — podcasts, YouTube, "Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten" (DW)
- Learn vocabulary systematically — flashcards (Anki app), vocabulary book, Memrise
- Learn articles too — der Tisch, die Lampe, das Buch (always learn DER/DIE/DAS!)
For Advanced Learners (B1–B2)
- Use German in daily life — shopping, talking to neighbors, reading official letters
- Consume German media — Tagesschau, German series (Netflix with subtitles)
- Find a language exchange partner — exchange languages (e.g., Arabic for German)
- Practice writing — emails, letters, journal entries in German
For Everyone
- Mistakes are normal — Germans are happy when you speak German!
- Visit a language café — free conversation groups in many cities
- Volunteer language helpers — many organizations offer free conversation courses
- Use hamboorg.city — our assistant speaks your language and explains German concepts
Status: March 2026. All information without warranty.