German In Austria: A Language Necessity For Expats?

If you're considering moving to Austria, you may be wondering how important it is to speak German. While it is possible to get by without German language skills, particularly in larger cities or tourist areas, learning the language is essential for full integration. Austria requires third-country nationals (those who are not EU/EEA citizens or Swiss nationals) to provide proof of German language proficiency when applying for residence permits. The required proficiency level is A1, the most basic level, and there are several ways to obtain the necessary certification. Learning German will also improve your job prospects in Austria, as it is the primary working language for most companies. However, there are international companies that may be willing to hire individuals without perfect German language skills. Ultimately, while it is possible to live in Austria without speaking German, learning the language will greatly facilitate your integration and open up more job opportunities.

German language skills for residence permits

If you are a third-country national (a person who is not an EU citizen, other EEA citizen, or Swiss national) and you want to live in Austria, you will need to prove that you have German language skills when applying for a residence permit. The level of proficiency required is A1, the most basic level, of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This level demonstrates elementary language skills and the ability to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases.

Ways to Prove Your German Language Skills

There are several ways to provide proof of your German language skills when applying for a residence permit in Austria:

• Obtain a generally recognized language diploma from institutions such as the Austrian German Diploma (ÖSD), Goethe-Institut e.V., or the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).
• Meet the requirements for Module 1 or Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, which corresponds to A2 or B1 level language skills, respectively.
• If you are a family member of a holder of specific residence permits, such as the "red-white-red card" for highly qualified individuals or an "EU blue card", you may not need to provide separate proof of language proficiency.
• If you are a minor (under 14 years old) at the time of application, you are exempt from providing proof of language skills.
• In certain cases, such as for unaccompanied minors, you may submit a request to waive the requirement of proof of German knowledge to safeguard the best interests of the individual.

German Language Skills for Employment

While knowledge of German is essential for living in Austria, there are international companies that may hire individuals without perfect German language skills. It is recommended to have at least basic German skills to increase your chances on the job market. The working languages in most companies in Austria are German and English, so it is advised that your CV and motivational letter are written in German unless the job advertisement specifies English as the working language.

Resources for Learning German

Austria offers various resources to help individuals improve their German language skills:

• The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and the Austrian Institute (ÖI) offer an online language portal (Sprachportal) with information on courses, materials, sample examinations, and recognized German language institutes.
• Vienna and other Federal States in Austria provide vouchers and financial support for German courses through programs like Start Coaching and organizations like ÖIF, VHS, and AK.
• Free lessons and materials are available across Austria, including women-only courses, and online resources like Deutsch.info and ÖIF's Sprachportal.

Exemptions to providing proof of German language skills

Third-country nationals (persons who are not EU citizens, other EEA citizens or Swiss nationals) must prove their knowledge of German when applying for a residence permit for the first time. However, there are some exemptions to this rule.

• Persons who are minors at the time of the application (up to 14 years old) are exempt from providing proof of German language skills.
• Those who cannot reasonably be expected to provide proof due to physical or mental health issues are exempt. A third-country national must provide an official medical report or an opinion from a medical officer of an Austrian professional representative authority. If no appropriate medical officer is available, the individual must submit an opinion from another doctor or medical institution designated by the Austrian professional representative authority.
• Family members of holders of specific permits, such as the "red-white-red card" for "highly qualified individuals", an "EU blue card", "residence permit – researcher", or a "Long-term resident – EU" residence permit, are exempt. This exemption also applies if the third-country national initially held specific permits, such as the "red-white-red card" for highly qualified individuals or an "EU blue card".
• Family members of persons entitled to asylum who are applying for a "red-white-red card plus" are exempt from providing proof of German language skills.
• Persons who, in accordance with the Integrationsgesetz (Law on integration), irrevocably waive their right to submit a further application for renewal after the first renewal application, are exempt.
• In the case of unaccompanied minors, the authority may dispense with the requirement of proof of German knowledge to safeguard the child's best interests.
• For the purpose of preserving private and family life within the meaning of Article 8 of the ECHR (Section 11 paragraph 3 of the NAG), the authority may waive the requirement for proof of language proficiency upon submission of a reasoned request by a third-country national.
• Individuals whose residence permit procedures were already pending before 30 June 2011 are not required to prove their knowledge of German before immigration.

While learning German is essential for living in Austria, it is possible to find jobs that do not require German language proficiency, especially in international companies. However, it is still recommended to learn German as many companies in Austria use it as their working language.

German language proficiency levels

German has 6 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) levels, which are used to determine language ability for speakers worldwide. These range from A1 (absolute beginner) to C2 (completely fluent).

A1 - German Beginner's Level

At this level, you will be able to understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences to satisfy specific needs. You will be able to introduce yourself and ask others basic questions. You will also be able to ask and answer questions such as "How old are you?" and "Where do you live?".

A2 - German Elementary Level

The topics at this level are the same as at A1, but with expanded social interactions related to areas of immediate importance, such as varied greetings, hobbies, and future arrangements. At this level, you will be able to hold a full conversation about yourself and your life, including your origin and education. You will be able to speak in full sentences and phrases on simple topics, and your listening comprehension will be improved, although you may still need others to speak slowly or repeat themselves.

B1 – Intermediate - German Independent/Intermediate Level

At this level, you will be able to discuss the same topics as at A2, as well as maintain speech in a wider range of contexts, including personal opinions and other informal discussions on experiences and events. You will be able to describe your dreams, hopes, and goals, and give short reasons or explanations for your plans and views. You will also be able to express yourself simply and coherently on familiar topics and areas of personal interest.

B2 – Upper Intermediate - German Independent Level

At this level, you will be able to discuss the same topics as at B1, as well as express a point of view on a topical or specialist issue and state the respective advantages and disadvantages. You will be able to understand the main content of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics. You will be able to communicate spontaneously and fluently with native speakers without too much strain. You will have extensive knowledge of conversational German, plus some basic technical vocabulary related to work or personal hobbies.

C1 – Advanced - German Proficient Level

At this level, you will be able to discuss the same topics as at B2, as well as speak on completely new topics spontaneously. You will be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and grasp implicit meanings. You will be able to express yourself spontaneously and fluently without having to search for words. You will have extensive knowledge of conversational German and technical vocabulary. You will be able to use the language effectively and flexibly in social and professional life or in training and studies.

C2 – Advanced - German Near-Native Level

At this level, you will be able to understand all or nearly all of the same topics as a native German speaker. You will be able to summarise information from various written and oral sources and present reasons and explanations in a coherent presentation. You will have extensive knowledge of conversational German and technical vocabulary, and you will be able to understand the vast majority of German, spoken or written, with ease.

In Austria, third-country nationals (persons who are not EU citizens, other EEA citizens, or Swiss nationals) must prove their knowledge of German when applying for a residence permit for the first time. The required level of German proficiency is A1, the most basic level.

Institutions providing German language certificates

If you are a third-country national (a person who is not an EU citizen, other EEA citizen, or Swiss national), you must prove your German language proficiency when applying for a residence permit in Austria. The level of proficiency required is A1, the most basic level, of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)

The Austrian Integration Fund is responsible for issuing German language certificates. The ÖIF website provides information on course materials, sample examinations, recognised German language institutes, and test dates. The ÖIF also offers a variety of free online exercises and recommended books for adults and children.

Goethe-Institut e.V.

The Goethe-Institut is a well-known institution for German language learning and certification. It offers German courses and examinations that correspond to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Austrian German Diploma (ÖSD)

The ÖSD is a state-approved examination and assessment system for German as a Foreign or Second Language. The exams cover reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. The ÖSD is internationally recognised as proof of German language competence.

TELC

TELC is another institution recognised by Austria that offers German language examinations.

Universities and Language Schools in Austria

Several universities and language schools in Austria offer German language courses, including:

• University of Vienna
• University of Innsbruck
• University of Klagenfurt
• University of Graz

These universities often provide intensive and semester courses during the summer months or academic year.

Online Platforms

Online platforms like Deutsch.info offer free online German courses for levels A1, A2, and B1 in multiple languages. This platform also provides practical information about living and working in Austria.

It is important to note that the language diploma must not be older than one year at the time of submission for residence applications. Additionally, German language proficiency requirements may be waived for minors, individuals with physical or mental health issues, and family members of certain residence permit holders.

Learning German in Austria

If you're considering moving to Austria, it's important to know that German is the primary language of the country and learning it will be essential for your day-to-day life. While you can initially get by with English, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, learning German will open up many more opportunities and help you integrate into Austrian society.

Learning German will be crucial in communicating effectively with locals, from navigating everyday tasks like grocery shopping to more complex matters such as legal or administrative procedures. It will also significantly enhance your career prospects, as many companies in Austria use German as their working language. Even if your employer doesn't require German skills, having a good command of the language will make networking and building relationships with colleagues and clients much easier.

German Proficiency Requirements for Residence Permits

If you're planning to stay in Austria long-term, you may need to obtain a residence permit. This is where your German skills will come into play. Third-country nationals (those who are not EU citizens, other EEA citizens, or Swiss nationals) must provide proof of German language proficiency when applying for specific types of residence permits. This includes permits such as the Red-White-Red Card Plus, Settlement Permit – Relative, and others.

The required level of German proficiency for immigration and residence in Austria is B2, which indicates an upper intermediate level of language ability. This means you should be able to understand complex texts and discussions in your professional field and express yourself with flexibility and effectiveness in various situations.

Ways to Learn German in Austria

Austria offers various options for learning German, catering to different needs and preferences:

• Many universities and public and private institutes offer German courses. The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and the Austrian Institute (ÖI) provide an excellent overview of available courses at any level through their online language portal (Sprachportal). You can filter the courses by your location and institution type (local or international).
• The EU-backed project Deutsch.info offers free online German courses for levels A1, A2, and B1 in 13 languages, which can be a great way to get started or supplement your classroom learning.
• The ÖIF's Sprachportal also offers a range of free online exercises and recommended books for adult and child learners.
• Vienna and other Federal States in Austria provide vouchers (Sprachgutschein) for courses at selected language providers. These vouchers can be a significant financial help, especially if you're seeking to obtain a residency permit and have family ties in Austria.
• If you're looking for employment or want to improve your job prospects, you may be eligible for financial support from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) or the Vienna Employee Promotion Fund (WAFF) to cover the costs of German lessons.

German Language Examinations

To obtain a residence permit or extend an existing one, you may be required to take German language examinations, also known as Integration Exams. These exams have two parts: a German language section and an integration or values section. The Integration Agreement (Integrationsvereinbarung) specifies the requirements for these exams.

In conclusion, learning German is not just a matter of convenience when living in Austria; it's a vital step towards integration and accessing various opportunities the country has to offer. By taking advantage of the many resources available for language learning, you can quickly gain proficiency in German and unlock the doors to a fulfilling life in Austria.

Frequently asked questions