Germany has officially amended its integration course examination rules, introducing stricter requirements for migrants taking the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ). The changes take effect on 1 November 2026 and will require candidates to demonstrate German language skills across all three assessed areas.
Germany is introducing tougher passing requirements for one of its most important language examinations for migrants. Under a regulation published in the Federal Law Gazette on 20 October 2026, candidates taking the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) will face additional minimum performance requirements to achieve an overall B1 result.
The new rules will come into force on 1 November 2026, affecting migrants who use the examination to demonstrate their German language abilities after attending integration courses (Integrationskurse).
The amendment to Section 10(1) of the Integrationskurstestverordnung (IntTestV) has already been officially adopted and published. It is therefore a confirmed regulatory change rather than simply a government proposal.
What Changes From 1 November 2026?
Until now, candidates could achieve an overall B1 result in the DTZ by obtaining B1 in speaking and B1 in either listening and reading or writing.
This meant that an applicant with strong speaking and listening/reading results could still obtain B1 even with a very poor performance in writing.
From 1 November 2026, this will no longer be sufficient.
Candidates seeking an overall B1 result must demonstrate:
- Speaking (Sprechen): B1 level is compulsory.
- Listening and Reading (Hören und Lesen): B1 or at least A2, depending on the writing result.
- Writing (Schreiben): B1 or at least A2, depending on the listening and reading result.
In other words, candidates must achieve B1 in speaking and at least one of the two other assessment areas. The remaining area must reach at least A2.
Old vs New German Language Test Rules
| Examination requirement | Until 31 October 2026 | From 1 November 2026 |
| Speaking | B1 compulsory | B1 compulsory |
| Listening and Reading | B1 if writing is below B1 | B1 or minimum A2 |
| Writing | B1 if listening/reading is below B1 | B1 or minimum A2 |
| Overall B1 result | B1 in speaking and one other area | Same, plus A2 minimum in the remaining area |
| Leaving writing blank | Could still allow B1 overall | No longer sufficient for B1 |
The B1 language level itself has not been increased to B2. Instead, the authorities have changed how performance across different examination areas is combined to determine whether someone has achieved B1.
Examples: Who Will Pass Under the New Rules?
The following examples explain the practical difference.
| Speaking | Listening/Reading | Writing | Overall B1? |
| B1 | B1 | A2 | Yes |
| B1 | A2 | B1 | Yes |
| B1 | B1 | B1 | Yes |
| B1 | B1 | Below A2 | No |
| B1 | A2 | A2 | No |
| A2 | B1 | B1 | No |
These examples concern the award of an overall B1 result, not whether every candidate receives an A2 certificate or another document reflecting their achieved level.
For migrants preparing for the examination, the key message is straightforward: strong speaking skills alone, combined with a strong performance in one other section, will no longer compensate for falling below A2 in the remaining assessment area.
Why Is Germany Making the Language Test Stricter?
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior says the changes are intended to prevent examination fraud and improve confidence in language qualifications.
According to the ministry’s explanation, some candidates allegedly obtained examination questions or answers illegally through the internet, particularly for the listening and reading assessment.
Under the previous system, a candidate could potentially use those answers to obtain a B1 result in listening and reading, achieve B1 in speaking, and leave the writing section completely unanswered.
The candidate could still receive an overall B1 result because there was no minimum score requirement in the third assessment area.
The new regulation closes this gap by requiring candidates to demonstrate at least A2 proficiency in that remaining area.
However, there is an important distinction between the government’s concerns and the available evidence.
At a government press conference on 19 October 2026, Interior Ministry spokesperson Kaminski acknowledged that the exact number of suspected cheating cases could not be established. The spokesperson suggested that the number of suspected cases was probably relatively small.
This means that while preventing examination fraud is the stated purpose of the reform, the government has not provided a verified figure showing how widespread the specific problem is.
How Many Migrants Take the German Language Test?
The DTZ is widely used in Germany’s integration programme, which is administered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Figures for 2025, reported by The Local and attributed to the Interior Ministry, show the scale of the examination.
| DTZ results in 2025 | Candidates | Percentage |
| Achieved B1 | 175,193 | 55.0% |
| Achieved A2 | 102,663 | 32.2% |
| Below A2 | 40,694 | 12.8% |
| Total | 318,550 | 100% |
These statistics describe results under the previous assessment requirements. They do not establish how many candidates would fail under the new rules or how much pass rates will change.
Who Will Be Affected by Germany’s New B1 Test Rules?
The changes are particularly relevant to foreign nationals who take the DTZ as part of Germany’s integration programme.
This includes migrants who are currently attending integration courses, those preparing to take the DTZ after 1 November 2026, and individuals who intend to use a successful integration course certificate as evidence in residence or citizenship procedures.
An integration course generally consists of German language lessons and an orientation course covering German society, history, culture and legal principles.
The standard general integration course includes 600 teaching units of language instruction and 100 teaching units of orientation instruction.
At the end of the programme, participants normally take two assessments: the DTZ language examination and the Leben in Deutschland test.
Will the New Rules Affect German Permanent Residence?
The changes may be relevant to migrants applying for a German settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis).
Depending on the applicable residence category, applicants may need to demonstrate sufficient German language knowledge and knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system.
Successfully completing an integration course can provide evidence of these requirements.
As a result, migrants planning to use a new DTZ B1 certificate for a permanent residence application will need to satisfy the revised examination requirements.
However, Germany has not introduced a universal requirement for every settlement permit applicant to retake the DTZ.
Other accepted German language qualifications may be used, and the exact requirements depend on the applicant’s residence permit category and legal circumstances.
Will German Citizenship Applicants Also Be Affected?
German citizenship applicants should also understand the distinction between the revised DTZ examination rules and the general language requirements for naturalisation.
The DTZ B1 certificate is one way applicants can demonstrate German language proficiency for citizenship purposes.
From November 2026, anyone planning to obtain that qualification through the DTZ must satisfy the updated examination rules.
However, the government has not announced a general increase from B1 to B2 for ordinary naturalisation applications through this regulation.
The amendment is specifically directed at the scoring requirements for the DTZ.
Applicants may continue to use other accepted language qualifications, subject to the applicable citizenship rules and the requirements of the responsible authority.
What Happens to Existing B1 Certificates?
Migrants who already obtained a valid B1 certificate before 1 November 2026 should not confuse the revised examination standard with cancellation of their existing qualification.
The published amendment changes the criteria for awarding future DTZ B1 results. It does not contain a general provision automatically invalidating previously issued certificates.
Nevertheless, the recognition of any particular certificate in a residence or citizenship application remains subject to the applicable legal and administrative requirements.
Applicants should therefore retain their original examination certificates and check whether their documents satisfy the requirements of the authority handling their application.
What About the Leben in Deutschland Test?
The Leben in Deutschland (Life in Germany) test is separate from the DTZ language examination.
It assesses participants’ knowledge of German society, history, legal principles and everyday civic life.
The examination consists of 33 questions.
Under the existing requirements:
- At least 15 correct answers are needed to pass the orientation course.
- At least 17 correct answers can provide proof of the civic knowledge required for naturalisation, subject to the applicable rules.
The new regulation does not change these thresholds. Its central amendment concerns the DTZ B1 language assessment criteria.
Can Migrants Repeat the German Language Test?
Yes. Under Section 9 of the Integrationskurstestverordnung, examinations may be repeated without a fixed numerical limit.
However, the number of examination attempts funded by BAMF depends on the relevant rules and the participant’s circumstances. An unlimited legal right to repeat an examination does not mean that every attempt will be free.
Participants who do not obtain the required language result should discuss their options with their integration course provider, including whether additional instruction or a funded repeat examination is available.
How Should Migrants Prepare for the New B1 Requirements?
Migrants planning to take the DTZ from November 2026 should make sure that they are adequately prepared in all assessed language areas.
Particular attention should be given to writing, especially for candidates who previously concentrated on speaking and multiple-choice listening or reading exercises.
The writing examination may involve everyday communication, such as composing a letter, making a request, explaining a situation or responding to a practical problem.
Candidates should practise creating complete written responses rather than relying exclusively on memorised examination answers.
They should also complete preparation exercises under timed examination conditions.
According to the examination information published by g.a.s.t., the DTZ written test lasts 100 minutes, while the speaking examination takes approximately 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Germany’s new B1 language test rules start?
The new requirements will take effect on 1 November 2026.
Is Germany increasing the German language requirement from B1 to B2?
No. The amendment does not increase the required DTZ target level to B2. It introduces a minimum A2 requirement in the assessment area that previously could fall below that level while a candidate still achieved overall B1.
Can someone obtain B1 without passing the writing assessment at A2?
No. From 1 November 2026, candidates must achieve at least A2 in writing to obtain an overall DTZ B1 result.
Will the changes apply to all German language examinations?
No. The amendment specifically concerns the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer. It does not automatically alter the scoring systems of every other German language examination.
Do migrants with existing B1 certificates need to take another examination?
The new regulation does not impose a general obligation to retake previously passed examinations.
Will the rules affect permanent residence and German citizenship?
They may affect applicants who rely on a newly awarded DTZ B1 certificate. Other recognised methods of proving German language proficiency remain relevant under the applicable laws.