Knowledge of German language is considered a basic requirement for successful integration.
That’s why foreign nationals who want to join their spouse must prove that they have basic German-language skills before coming here.
A foreign national coming to Germany to join a German spouse is not required to provide proof of linguistic ability if the German national has previously exercised his/her right of freedom of movement within Europe or if the efforts required by the foreign spouse in order to acquire basic German skills whilst abroad are not feasible, cannot be reasonably expected or do not prove successful within a period of one year.
What are basic German-language skills?
Generally as a rule, one is expected to have basic German-language skills that correspond with level A1 of the “Common European Framework for Languages” defined by the Council of Europe.
What really matters is for you to be able to understand familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences.
You should also be able to use these simple sentences, ask for directions, introduce yourself and others, ask and answer questions about yourself, such as where you live.
It is also important, for example, that you can write some basic words in German so that you can fill in your name, address and nationality on forms issued by the authorities.
How a spouse can prove that he or she has basic German-language skills
One of the ways of demonstrating German-language skills is to use the language during the interview while applying for a visa at a German Embassy or at a Consulate General to enable you to join your spouse.
You are in any case required to attach to your visa application a certificate showing that you have passed one of the following language examinations:
– “Start Deutsch 1” run by the Goethe Institut or telc GmbH
– “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” forming part of the Austrian Language Diploma (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD)
– “TestDaF” run by the TestDaF-Institut e.V.
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Who is exempted from demonstrating German-language skills?
– spouses of holders of an EU Blue Card
– if the spouse already living in Germany is employed as a highly-qualified worker or researcher and the marriage existed prior to their entry into Germany and
– persons who are unable to learn German due to a physical, mental or psychological disability
How to acquire basic German-language skills
Deutsche Welle radio offers ways of learning German.
The German courses for beginners and advanced students are available in almost 30 languages on the radio station’s website. These are free of charge.
Deutsche Welle has developed “Radio D”, an audio language course, in conjunction with the Goethe Institut. Beginners with no previous knowledge of German can download the course or subscribe to it as a podcast.
Click here to start learning German
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