What is an Integration Course and Can I Take It Online?
In a nutshell: What is an integration course?
An integration course is a state-funded German course offered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). It has two parts: a language course (German from A1 to B1) and an orientation course covering law, history, and everyday life in Germany. At the end, you take two exams: the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) and the test “Leben in Deutschland”.
You may only take these courses with a BAMF-accredited course provider. A pure self-study app or private online course does not officially count as an integration course, but it can be an excellent way to prepare.
How is an integration course structured?
The standard integration course has a total of 700 hours of instruction:
- Language course: 600 hours. It is divided into a basic language course (300 hours) and an advanced language course (300 hours). Each section has three modules of 100 hours each. The goal is B1 level.
- Orientation course: 100 hours. Here you learn about the German legal system, history, values, and everyday life.
There are also specialized courses, such as literacy courses or women’s courses. These can take longer (up to 900 or 1,000 hours).
What exams are included?
At the end, you take two tests:
- Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ). This is a test with two possible outcomes: A2 or B1. It has a written part (listening, reading, and writing a short letter, approximately 100 minutes) and an oral part (approximately 15 minutes, as a pair exam). Depending on your score, you receive a certificate showing B1 or A2. If your score is below A2, you receive only a statement of your points, but no certificate.
- “Leben in Deutschland”. This test is part of the orientation course. It tests your knowledge about Germany and corresponds in content to the naturalization test.
Can I take the integration course online?
Yes – but only in a specific form. BAMF also permits online integration courses. The important thing is that it must be a live-online course. This means you attend classes at fixed times together with an instructor and other participants in a virtual classroom. The course must be offered by an accredited provider.
Here is how the formats differ:
- Live-online integration course (official): counts as an integration course, with authorization from the immigration authority or BAMF, with a fixed group and fixed class times. You typically take the DTZ exam in person at an exam center.
- Private online German course (self-study or video course): does not count as an official integration course. However, you can use it anytime to prepare, fill gaps, or make faster progress.
How do I get a place?
- Request authorization. As a migrant, you apply for participation authorization at the immigration authority or BAMF. EU citizens and Germans can apply to BAMF for approval.
- Choose a provider and course format. Find an accredited provider that offers online or in-person courses.
- Clarify the cost contribution. You pay 2.29 euros per hour of instruction as your share. If you receive Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits, or social assistance, or if you are financially in need, you can be exempted from the cost contribution. If you pass the DTZ within two years, you may receive half of your contribution back.
Why do I need B1 level?
The B1 level is important for many steps in Germany:
- for an unlimited residence permit,
- for naturalization: Here B1 is the standard. Since the 2024 reform, typically five years of residence and B1 level are sufficient. There is no general C1 requirement; a higher level was only relevant for a very rare faster naturalization process, whose future is politically uncertain.
That is why every integration course aims to bring you to B1 level with confidence.
How can you prepare well?
Many learners want to review the material at their own pace or start before the course. That is exactly what a good online German course is for. Our Complete Package A1 to B1 guides you step by step through all three levels – with a real, certified DaF instructor (Marlene Fries, BAMF instructor) and the Hueber textbook “Schritte plus Neu”, which is also used in many integration courses.
An additional AI trainer helps you with speaking, pronunciation, and writing letters – exactly the skills tested in the DTZ. This way you prepare specifically for telc, Goethe, and the DTZ. Learn more on the Complete Package page.
Conclusion
An integration course is your official path from A1 to B1, including the orientation course and DTZ exam. Online is possible as long as it is a live-online course from an accredited provider. A private online course does not replace the official course, but it is an ideal way to prepare so you can pass the exam confidently with a B1 result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online integration course officially recognized?
Yes, if it is a live-online course offered by a BAMF-accredited provider, with a fixed group and fixed class times. A pure self-study or video course does not count as an official integration course, but it works well for preparation.
How much does an integration course cost?
The participant contribution is 2.29 euros per hour of instruction. If you receive Bürgergeld, unemployment benefits, or social assistance, or if you are financially in need, you can be exempted from the cost contribution. If you pass the DTZ within two years, you may be eligible for a refund of half the contribution.
What level will I reach in the integration course?
The goal is B1. In the DTZ, your result can be B1 or A2, depending on your score. B1 is the standard for naturalization and permanent residence.
What is the difference between DTZ and the test 'Leben in Deutschland'?
The DTZ tests your German language skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) with possible results of A2 or B1. The 'Leben in Deutschland' test is part of the orientation course and tests your knowledge of law, history, and society in Germany.
Do I need B1 or C1 for naturalization?
B1 is sufficient for standard naturalization. There is no general C1 requirement. A higher level was only relevant for a rare, faster naturalization process, whose future is politically uncertain.
Can I prepare before the integration course?
Yes, that is highly recommended. With a structured online course like the Complete Package A1 to B1, you learn at your own pace, practice speaking and writing letters, and enter the DTZ more confident.