Exam requirements guide
A2 German: what it unlocks in Germany
A2 is the elementary level of German, one step past beginner. It earns your first language point on the Opportunity Card, marks a checkpoint in the state integration course, and covers everyday situations with confidence. It is not the settlement or citizenship level, both of which require B1, so treat A2 as a milestone on the way to B1.
Last verified July 2026. Level requirements are reproduced from Make it in Germany, BAMF, and DAAD (linked below). Rules change, so always confirm current requirements at the official source before applying.
At a glance
What A2 unlocks
- Opportunity Card points
- A2 = 1 point · First language point above the A1 threshold
- Integration course
- A2 · Placement can skip the first 300 hours
- Everyday situations
- A2 · Shopping, work basics, local topics
- Settlement + citizenship
- Not enough · These require B1
Overview
What A2 gets you
A2 is elementary proficiency: you can understand sentences and common expressions tied to areas of immediate relevance such as personal and family details, shopping, your local area, and employment, and you can handle simple, routine exchanges. It is a real step up from A1, but it still sits in the beginner half of the CEFR scale.
Its most concrete official value today is the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Under the points system, A2 German earns one point toward the six required to qualify, the first language point above the A1 or B2 English entry threshold. In the state integration course, an A2 result on the placement test lets you skip the first 300 hours and move straight to the higher module, though the course itself targets B1 and finishes with the Deutsch-Test fuer Zuwanderer (DTZ).
What A2 does not do is clear the big immigration bars. BAMF sets B1 as the standard language requirement for the settlement permit and for naturalization, and German-taught university programs generally require C1. The most useful way to view A2 is as the last checkpoint before B1, the level where settlement and citizenship become possible. Plan straight through to B1 rather than stopping here.
Certification
How to certify A2
The following exams certify A2 and are accepted for immigration and integration purposes in Germany:
- Goethe-Zertifikat A2
- telc Deutsch A2
- OESD Zertifikat A2
- Deutsch-Test fuer Zuwanderer (DTZ), which can certify A2
Goethe-Zertifikat A2, telc Deutsch A2, and OESD Zertifikat A2 are the standard standalone certificates. The Deutsch-Test fuer Zuwanderer (DTZ) is taken at the end of the integration course and certifies A2 or B1 depending on the result. Always confirm which certificate your authority accepts before booking.
Read the guide: How to pass the Goethe A2 exam (format, scoring, strategy)Official sources
Trusted references
For visa and residence specifics, contact the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence or your local Auslanderbehorde.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about A2 German requirements.
What does A2 German get me?
Is A2 enough for permanent residence or citizenship?
Which exam certifies A2 German?
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