Which German Certificate Is Best? Goethe vs telc vs ÖSD vs TestDaF vs DTZ
There is no single best German certificate; the best one is the one your authority, employer or university accepts for your goal. For a spouse visa at A1, the German Federal Foreign Office lists Goethe, telc and ÖSD. For citizenship at B1, Goethe, telc, ÖSD and the DTZ are commonly accepted. For nursing recognition you need B2 and often a nursing-specific test. For university, TestDaF or a university’s own test is the usual path.
Below is a pick-by-goal table, then a short profile of each exam, with what we verified in October 2026 and what you must still confirm. Rules change and differ by authority, so always check with the office that will receive your certificate before you pay for an exam.
Which German certificate fits which goal?
| Your goal | Common choices | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse visa to Germany (A1) | Start Deutsch 1 (Goethe), Start Deutsch 1 (telc), ÖSD Zertifikat A1 | The embassy page for your country and the age limit of the certificate |
| Citizenship in Germany (B1) | Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD Zertifikat B1, DTZ | Your local citizenship office |
| After an integration course | DTZ (A2 or B1) | The course provider; the test is part of the course |
| Nursing recognition (B2) | telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege, Goethe-Test PRO Pflege | The competent authority of your Bundesland |
| University study | TestDaF, or other university-accepted tests | The university’s admission page |
| General job in Germany | Goethe, telc or ÖSD at the level in the job ad | The employer |
| Personal progress | Any, based on your local exam centre | Price, date, location |
Switzerland and Austria have their own residence and naturalisation rules. This article covers Germany; check the official site of the country you are moving to.
Goethe-Zertifikat
The Goethe-Institut offers certificates from A1 to C2. Its FAQ states that these certificates are valid without a time limit. It also warns that many institutions and employers want a certificate that is not older than two years, and it tells candidates to ask the recognising body directly. Retake rules on the Goethe FAQ: A1 and A2 are retaken as a whole, while from B1 upwards you can retake individual modules.
Strengths: widely known, many exam centres worldwide, free model papers on goethe.de. Weakness: seats and dates fill up in some countries, and fees differ by country and centre. See Goethe B1 passing score for how scoring works at B1.
telc
telc offers general exams, plus telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege for nurses. The nursing exam combines listening (4 parts, 25 min), reading (4 parts, 60 min), language elements, writing (30 min) and a paired speaking test of about 16 minutes. It cannot be taken as a partial exam, according to telc. telc states that its certificates are recognised by schools, universities, employers and authorities; that is a broad claim, so confirm for your specific purpose.
The BAMF notes that DTZ and telc certificates can be verified online since 1 October 2021, which makes authenticity checks easier for authorities.
ÖSD
The Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD) offers levels A1 to C2 and lists variants for healthcare professionals. It says its certificates are accepted worldwide, but its homepage does not say anything specific about Germany or Switzerland. The embassy leaflet for spouse visas does name the ÖSD A1 certificate as accepted. For nursing in Germany, check with the authority before choosing the ÖSD healthcare exam. For a comparison of the speaking exams, see ÖSD vs Goethe speaking.
DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer)
The DTZ is the final test of the integration course. The BAMF states that it measures levels A2 and B1, has written and oral parts across the four skills, and that since 2023 the exam is administered by g.a.s.t. e.V. If you pass the DTZ and the “Leben in Deutschland” test, you receive the integration course certificate.
Is the DTZ easier than telc? No official ranking exists. Both aim at B1, and the DTZ can also certify A2 for people who do not reach B1. Our comparison in telc B1 vs DTZ vs Goethe explains how they differ in format.
TestDaF
TestDaF describes itself as the main German exam for international students who want to study at a German university, and states that its certificate has unlimited validity. It is the exam for academic goals, not for a visa at A1 or for citizenship. Universities set their own requirements, so look at the programme page, as covered in the German level to study in Germany. For the Goethe C2, the Goethe FAQ says it is generally recognised for university study in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and that B2 or C1 may suffice at some universities.
Practise your German out loud with SipLingo, free to try on iPhone and Android:
Which certificate is best for nurses?
For nursing recognition, the Anerkennung portal names B2 for general nurses. The two nursing-specific exams are telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege (available since 2013 according to a Goethe-Institut article) and Goethe-Test PRO Pflege (introduced in 2019). The Goethe-Institut says its test is recognised by the Federal Foreign Office, the BAMF and the Make it in Germany portal. Still, the final decision rests with the Bundesland authority handling your case. Read the telc B1-B2 Pflege exam and German level for nurses before booking.
Which certificate is accepted in Germany?
Every authority chooses what it accepts. A practical method:
- Write down the exact purpose (visa, citizenship, recognition, job, study).
- Find the official page (embassy, citizenship office, Anerkennung authority, university).
- Copy the list of accepted tests and the maximum certificate age.
- Choose the test from that list that is offered near you at a price and date you can manage.
- If the page is unclear, email the office and keep the answer.
Example email:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich möchte mich für … bewerben. Welche Sprachzertifikate erkennen Sie an, und wie alt darf das Zertifikat sein? Vielen Dank.
(Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to apply for … Which language certificates do you accept, and how old may the certificate be? Thank you.)
Certificate age: a common trap
The Goethe certificate does not expire, but the office may still want a recent one. The embassy leaflet for spouse visas, issued by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, says certificates are generally accepted only if the exam date is not more than one year back. The leaflet is a snapshot, so confirm on your embassy’s current page. More detail: A1 certificate validity for a visa.
Practise the speaking part for any of them
All of these exams include a speaking component, and most learners lose points there first. SipLingo (our app) lets you rehearse everyday and work scenarios by voice, with corrections explained in your own language. It is a practice tool and does not replace official exam materials, and it is not affiliated with Goethe, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF or BAMF. To prepare alone, see how to practise the speaking exam alone.
Official sources
For the official details and the latest updates, see:
- Goethe-Institut: Goethe-Zertifikat B1 – official exam page – Modules, durations, fees, 350–650 lessons to B1, results in 2 days–2 weeks
- telc gGmbH: Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1 – official exam page – Written and oral parts, timings, 3-part pair speaking exam with 20-min prep
- ÖSD: ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1) – official exam page – Four modules, certification rules, paper and digital formats, model set
Frequently asked questions
Which German certificate is best?
The one accepted by the office you are applying to. Check the official list for your purpose, then choose between Goethe, telc, ÖSD, DTZ or TestDaF.
Is DTZ easier than telc?
There is no official comparison. Both target B1, and the DTZ is designed for integration course participants; the best choice depends on what your authority accepts.
Which exam is best for nurses?
For recognition, B2 is the level named by the Anerkennung portal. telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege and Goethe-Test PRO Pflege are built for nurses, but your Bundesland authority decides.
Which German certificate is accepted in Germany?
It depends on the purpose. For A1 spouse visas, Goethe, telc and ÖSD are listed by the Federal Foreign Office; for B1 citizenship, Goethe, telc, ÖSD and DTZ are commonly named.
Do German certificates expire?
Goethe says its A1 to C2 certificates are valid without limit, but offices may want a recent one. Ask the office.
Once you know which exam you need, practise speaking German out loud every day, with corrections in your own language.
