German language skills

Third-country nationals (persons who are neither  EU-citizens nor other EEA-citizens  nor Swiss nationals) - who are 14 years of age or older - must provide proof of German language skills when applying for a residence permit for the first time, if one of the following residence titles is involved:

• Red-White-Red Card Plus as a family member if the professional in the family has a Red-White-Red Card (exception: Red-White-Red - Card for particularly highly qualified persons)
• The residence permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung)
• The non-worker's residence permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit)
• The dependant's residence permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Angehöriger)
• The family member's residence permit (Familienangehöriger)
• The artist's/performer's residence permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Künstler)
• The special employment residence permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Sonderfälle unselbständiger Erwerbstätigkeit)

Since initial applications for residence permits must generally be submitted abroad before entering Austria, German language skills must also be proven before immigration. They must correspond to the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The required knowledge is elementary German at the most basic level.

In addition, language certificates from other institutions that are internationally recognised and contain information on the language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages can also be accepted. The language proficiency test must cover all active and passive skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). Successful online tests are only accepted by the Austrian authorities if the test format ensures that the test was taken by the applicant him/herself (e.g. photo on the certificate, accompanying filming of the tests).

The language diploma must not be older than one year at the time of submission.

Anyone who has completed a study programme at a recognised higher education institution, can present proof of general university entrance qualification or has completed a vocational secondary school does not need an A1 German certificate.

Instead, the corresponding proof is submitted to the residence authority. Depending on the country of issue, verifications may be necessary. It is important that the qualification comes from a recognised educational institution and that the award certificate of the diploma or proof of general university entrance qualification or vocational secondary school leaving certificate was issued in German or English or is a certified translation. This certificate is valid both as a substitute for the German Certificate A1 before immigration and for the Integration Certificate A2 (Module 1 of the Integration Agreement).

In addition, family members do not need to present a German certificate for the first Red-White-Red Card Plus if the skilled worker in the family has one of the following residence titles:

• Red-White-Red - Card for particularly highly qualified persons
• EU Blue Card
• Residence permit for researchers
• Red-White-Red Card Plus if the skilled worker previously held a Red-White-Red Card for Particularly Highly Qualified Persons, an EU Blue Card or a Residence permit for researchers
• Permanent residence EU if the skilled worker had a Red-White-Red Card for Particularly Highly Qualified Persons, an EU Blue Card or a Residence permit for researchers in the past.

Learning German is not only relevant with regard to obtaining or renewing a residence permit. Language skills contribute significantly to integration and mutual understanding between international skilled workers and Austrian companies.

The decisive point is the classification of language proficiency levels in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (“Ge­mein­samen Europäischen Referenzrahmen für Sprachen”):

• Level A reflects elementary language skills (basic user).
• Level B reflects an independent use of the language (independent user).
• Level C reflects a proficient use of the language (proficient user).

In turn, each level is divided into two sub-levels. This means that there are six levels in total: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. German language skills up to a B2 level are relevant for immigration and residence in Austria.