Which temporary visas require German language skills?

Anyone wanting to come to Germany to work, study, or undertake vocational training will quickly encounter the question: "Do I need to learn German beforehand?" The answer is: It depends! Depending on the visa you are applying for, different requirements apply according to the Residence Act (AufenthG). Here is a concise guide to help you determine the language level you need for your goal.

1. Visas without legally required German language skills

For some Visa cards, there is no strict legal requirement regarding language proficiency. However, this does not mean that German language skills are not helpful – they are simply not a formal requirement for the application.

• Visa for skilled workers (with recognized qualifications)

• EU Blue Card

• Work visa for experienced professionals (including IT specialists)

• Visa for self-employment

• Research visa

• Visa for language acquisition (the goal here is precisely learning)

• Visa for completing a study-related internship EU

2. Visa with basic knowledge (level A1 or A2)

For visas that involve recognition of qualifications or a points assessment, basic knowledge is often required:

• Opportunity card (point system): Here you need at least German at level A1 OR English at level B2 .

• Visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications: Requires at least A2 level German.

• Visa for employment within the framework of a recognition partnership: Here too, level A2 is a requirement.

3. Visa for education and studies (level B1 or B2)

If you want to learn or study in Germany, the requirements are higher, as you have to follow the lessons:

• Visa for completing qualified vocational training: Minimum B1 level .

• Visa for the purpose of seeking an apprenticeship: Also at least B1 level .

• Visa for studying: Generally, a B2 level of English is expected (however, this can vary depending on the course of study, e.g., for purely English-language Master's programs).

• Visa for university search: The requirements depend on the desired course of study.

It should be noted, however, that the aforementioned requirements merely describe legal prerequisites for residency. Even if there is often no legal requirement for a work visa, your future employer may demand certain language skills. Furthermore, additional language tests may be necessary as part of recognition procedures for certain professions (e.g., in healthcare). In practice, it is also common for foreign missions (embassies and consulates) to review language requirements as part of their plausibility checks. Particularly for visas for short-term, quota-based employment or for chef visas, language requirements are not formal prerequisites; however, embassies often assume that the job cannot be performed in practice if no German language skills are present. In these cases, the language requirements are introduced "through the back door," contrary to the law.

Conclusion: Language skills are the key to a visa.

In summary, the requirements for German language skills are as diverse as the visa types themselves. While highly qualified professionals (e.g., holders of the EU Blue Card ) or researchers can often enter without formal proof of language proficiency , the hurdles for trainees and students increase significantly ( level B1 to B2 ). For pathways to professional recognition or the new opportunities card , however, solid basic knowledge ( A1 to A2 ) is essential.

Important for practical application: The legal minimum requirements of the Residence Act are only half the story. In reality, three additional factors often determine success:

1. Employer requirements: Even without a legal obligation, companies usually require usable German language skills.

2. Professional regulations: In the healthcare sector (e.g., nursing), specialist language examinations are often mandatory.

3. The embassies' "back door": Consulates check the plausibility of applicants. Anyone claiming to work in Germany but who speaks no German risks rejection due to lack of suitability, despite the absence of a legal requirement to do so.

   
   

This means for applicants: Anyone who wants to gain a foothold in Germany in the long term should not rely on the legal minimum, but should invest in language acquisition early on – for the visa and later integration.