A2 is not just a language level – it is a door opener. For the settlement permit, for family reunification, for naturalization. Anyone who has A2 has a crucial hurdle in their right of residence. If you don't have it yet, you should understand what it really means.
What A2 really means
What you can do at A2 level, what it means in terms of residence law and what many people underestimate.
GER level A2
A2 is the second level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It follows A1 and is below B1. What is specifically expected at this level – and how the exam is structured.
| Exam part | Content | time |
|---|---|---|
| Listen | Short dialogues, announcements and statements – multiple choice and assignment | approx. 30 minutes |
| Read | Read short texts and obtain information – notices, emails, forms | approx. 30 minutes |
| Write | Write a short message or letter on a given topic | approx. 30 minutes |
| Speak | Examination interview in pairs or with an examiner – introducing yourself, exchanging information, reacting to statements | approx. 15 minutes |
All three certificates are recognized in Germany. Goethe Institute A2 and telc German A2 are the most common Variants for authorities and visa applications. This ÖSD A2 is also accepted, but is less commonly available. When it comes to family reunification, German embassies accept all three – Ask the embassy of the destination city in advance if there is any uncertainty.
Preparation
A2 is not a difficult certificate - but it requires structured preparation. Anyone who learns without a plan will learn the wrong thing. This strategy works for course supervision as well as for self-study.
What really helps – and what is a waste of time
Don't start with textbook audio files - they are too slow and too clear. Short radio reports Deutschlandradio Nova, NDR Info Special or the app DW Learn German (Level A2) with real speakers. 15 minutes a day consciously overwhelms you - it trains your hearing faster than 1 hour with perfect teaching material.
Simple messages: DW news in simple language – Read 10 minutes a day. Do not look up unknown words immediately: first understand it from the context, then look it up. If you look up vocabulary immediately, you remember less.
The writing part follows a fixed format: short message with 3-4 points. Write a message like this every day for the last 4 weeks before the exam – Use topics from old exams (free from Goethe and telc). Get feedback from native speakers or course instructors.
The biggest mistake when preparing to speak: waiting until you know what to do are “good enough”. Speak German out loud from the first day of learning – alone in front of the mirror, with language learning partners (tandem apps), with AI language assistants. In the interview, content is assessed, not freedom from accent.
The structured path
Don't rely on self-assessment. An official placement test at Goethe-Institut, at telc or a VHS course provider shows where you really stand. Anyone who has already almost completed A2 can save months of course time - or choose directly the correct course section.
All levels in comparisonWhy do I need A2 – and until when? Family reunification date, application deadline, residence permit extension date? Plan backwards: exam date minus 6 weeks = registration deadline. Registration deadline minus course time = learning start.
Popular exam dates are booked up quickly - especially before the visa season (spring/autumn). Register early.Three formats, three time profiles: Intensive course (daily, 6–10 weeks), Evening course (2–3×/week, 4–6 months) or Online course (flexible, but requires greater self-discipline). If you need a date quickly, choose Intensive. Those who work in parallel choose evening or online.
Compare providersCourse lessons alone are not enough. If you don't practice every day, you'll forget next hour more than he learns. Minimum: 20 minutes daily outside of class – Vocabulary app (Anki, Babbel), reading German news, Listen to German radio while doing housework.
Download official sample exams (Goethe-Institut, telc – free). Practice all four parts of the exam under real time conditions. Goal: Make the format so familiar that on exam day No more energy is needed to understand the task.
Address weaknesses specifically: If you regularly fail at listening, only train listening for the last 2 weeks. Broad practice is less effective than targeted sharpening.Submit the certificate to the relevant authority, embassy or employer. Keep a copy. Start immediately with B1: If you take a break after A2, you will lose up to 30% of what you have learned in the first 4-8 weeks without exercise.
Continue to B1Course provider 2025
These providers are established in Germany and their certificates are issued by Authorities and embassies recognized. Courses and exams can be booked separately.
Goethe certificate A2
Worldwide · In Germany and over 90 countries · Online and presence
Reference for German embassies. Course and exam can be booked separately. Exam possible without attending a course. goethe.de
telc German A2
Over 3,000 exam centers in Germany · Also available abroad
Often cheaper than Goethe, recognized equally. Exams available more frequently. telc.net
Courses + telc/Goethe exam
Nationwide · All major cities · Cheapest course fees
Ideal for smaller budgets. VHS offers its own courses and organizes telc exams. vhs.de
Intensive courses & individual lessons
20+ locations in Germany · Online option · Focus on working people
More expensive, but flexible and fast. Entry and final tests included. Good for working people with a tight time frame. berlitz.de
Free online learning
Online worldwide · App and browser · No exam
No certificate, but excellent for preliminary and accompanying exercises. Structured A2 program. dw.com/de/germancourses
ÖSD certificate A2
Austrian provider · In Germany and worldwide · Online testing possible
Recognized equally, but required less often. It's good when Goethe/telc dates are fully booked. oesd.at
Relevance to residence law
Language and right of residence are inextricably linked in Germany. A2 is not a nice extra - it is legally required in several places or provides concrete advantages. If you are planning your next step in your right of residence, should know what A2 means.
A2 in right of residence, family reunification and naturalization
Anyone who works towards a settlement permit (unlimited stay) after 5 years must, among other things, demonstrate sufficient knowledge of German. The minimum level is A2 – for certain groups B1. If you already have A2, you can check off this point earlier and move on to the others Focus on prerequisites.
Basically A1 is required. A2 exceeds the minimum requirement and can replace the exception to the A1 requirement in certain constellations – which is particularly relevant when testing capacities are limited in the country of origin. In addition: Anyone who enters the country with A2 fulfills the first language level of the integration course from the beginning and can be classified more directly.
The BAMF integration course consists of a language course (A1–B1) and an orientation course. Anyone who proves that they have A2 in the placement test will be placed directly in the A2 course section – and thus saves around 300 teaching hours (two course sections). That's time and money.
B1 is required for naturalization. A2 is the step before – Anyone who has A2 is on the direct path to B1 and thus to naturalization. Some municipalities accept proven A2 as evidence of the "effort towards integration" in certain discretionary decisions.
What I see again and again
Start too late – and then learn under pressure
The visa application is in 6 weeks. The A2 certificate is still missing. It's harder to learn under time pressure and exam dates are booked. Start early. A2 needs time – no panic, but no delay.
Learn only with the app – without speaking practice
Babbel, Duolingo and Co. are useful for vocabulary and reading – but they hardly practice speaking and writing in exam format. App alone is not enough. Speaking requires real conversation partners.
Not knowing the exam format
Anyone who sees how the tasks are set for the first time in the exam loses valuable time and nerves. Old exams are available for free - they are the most effective learning tool in the last few weeks before the exam.
Submit school report or foreign certificate
German embassies and authorities only accept official certificates from the Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD or equivalent institutions. School grades, university certificates or certificates from private language schools without approval do not apply.
Stop after A2
A2 is a stage, not a destination. Naturalization requires B1. Many jobs require B2. In everyday life in Germany you can get through with A2 - but not far. A2 passed? Start with B1 immediately while the momentum is there.
Numbers you need to know
60 %
Minimum number of points for each part of the exam All four parts must be passed separately. If you miss a part, you only repeat that part - not the entire exam.
§ 9
Residence Act – settlement permit A2 is the minimum language level for the settlement permit after 5 years. No permanent residence without proof.
~300 hours
Course time saved on the BAMF integration course Anyone who is classified with A2 certificate skips two course sections - time that can be invested directly in B1.
3
Recognized certificate providers Goethe Institute, telc and ÖSD. All three are equivalent for authorities and embassies. Check other providers before submitting.
Related topics
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As of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.