Germany is changing how the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) awards a B1 result. From 1 November 2026, you need B1 in speaking, B1 in one written part, and at least A2 in the other written part. A blank or weak writing paper will no longer sit beside a B1 certificate.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior signed the amending regulation on 13 October 2026. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt issued the text, and the Federal Law Gazette published the change on 20 October 2026 as BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 306. The regulation rewrites section 10(1) of the Integrationskurstestverordnung (IntTestV), the rulebook for the final tests of the integration course.
If you plan to apply for German citizenship, a settlement permit, or the Zertifikat Integrationskurs, this change affects how you prepare and when you book your exam.
What changes on 1 November 2026
The DTZ has three skill areas. The written exam lasts 100 minutes and covers listening, reading, and a short letter. The oral exam is a paired conversation of about 15 minutes. The test covers levels A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Here is the scoring rule for an overall B1 result, before and after the change:
- Until 31 October 2026: B1 in speaking, plus B1 in either listening and reading or writing. The third area played no role in the B1 result.
- From 1 November 2026: B1 in speaking, plus B1 in either listening and reading or writing, plus at least A2 in the remaining written area.
In plain terms, every part of the exam now counts. You need to complete both written sections with real effort. Strong speaking and strong reading will not rescue a writing paper left blank.
The rule for an overall A2 result stays the same. An A2 certificate still needs A2 in speaking and in one of the two written areas. If your score sits below A2, you receive no certificate, only a notice of your result from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Why the Interior Ministry acted
The ministry links the change to cheating. A draft regulation from 8 October 2026 said fraud attempts in the DTZ had increased. According to the draft, some candidates bought exam tasks and answers illegally online. They entered the purchased answers in the listening and reading section, left the writing section empty, and still received a B1 certificate after passing the oral exam at B1.
The new A2 floor for the weaker written area closes this route. Candidates must now show real writing skills to reach B1.
The scale of the problem is unclear. A ministry spokesperson told reporters on 19 October 2026 suspected cases were likely few in number, and gave no figures. The integration news site MiGAZIN pointed out the rule makes the bought-answers method harder but does not stop exam papers from reaching the black market.
How many people take the DTZ
The DTZ is the closing language exam of the state-funded integration course. According to federal government figures reported by MiGAZIN and dpa, 318,550 people sat the DTZ in 2025. Their results were:
- 175,193 (55 percent) reached B1
- 102,663 (32.2 percent) reached A2
- 40,694 (12.8 percent) stayed below A2
With more than 300,000 candidates a year, even a small share of borderline results matters. Honest candidates with good speaking and reading skills but weak writing also lose out. Under the old rule, a person with B1 in speaking and in listening and reading, but below A2 in writing, still earned B1. From November, the same scores give no overall B1.
Your citizenship and settlement plans
The legal language level for citizenship has not changed. German nationality law generally requires German at B1 level, and many residence procedures accept B1 as proof of sufficient German. The regulation changes only the way one B1 certificate, the DTZ, gets awarded.
The DTZ also feeds into the Zertifikat Integrationskurs. To receive this certificate, you need an overall B1 in the DTZ and a pass in the orientation course test "Leben in Deutschland" (15 of 33 questions correct). Immigration offices often treat this certificate as proof of language skills and civic knowledge, so a weaker DTZ result now delays the full certificate.
For naturalisation, a separate rule applies to the civic test. You need 17 of 33 correct answers in "Leben in Deutschland" to receive the certificate used for citizenship, where your federal state has an agreement with BAMF.
Expect delays on the civic side too. As of 19 October 2026, the BAMF website said the office was evaluating "Leben in Deutschland" and naturalisation tests with exam dates up to 31 July 2026. Plan your timeline with this backlog in mind.
Certificates you already hold
The published regulation sets new testing requirements from 1 November 2026. The text contains no provision on certificates issued before this date. The Local Germany noted on 21 October 2026 a change of this kind would not normally reach back to certificates already awarded. Keep your original DTZ certificate and copies safe, and attach a copy to any citizenship or settlement application.
Under the start date in the regulation, exams held up to 31 October 2026 fall under the current scoring rule. If your exam falls on 1 November 2026 or later, the new rule applies.
Other ways to prove B1 German
The DTZ is one route among several. For citizenship, German authorities also accept certificates such as:
- telc Deutsch B1
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1
- ÖSD Zertifikat B1
- DSD I (Deutsches Sprachdiplom, first level)
Some German school qualifications, completed vocational training in Germany, and German university degrees also count as proof of language skills. If you never joined an integration course, you likely do not need the DTZ at all. Check with your local naturalisation office or Ausländerbehörde (foreigners authority) before you pay for any exam and ask for the list of accepted documents.
Repeat costs
A failed or weaker result now carries a real cost risk. MiGAZIN reported a state-funded repeat of the course and exam is not available to every participant. If you miss B1, you face paying for another exam at a private test centre, plus extra lessons. Budget for this before your exam date.
Steps to take now
- Check your exam date. If your DTZ is booked for early November, you sit the exam under the new rule. Ask your course provider whether an earlier date in October is still open.
- Train your writing. The DTZ writing task is a short letter. Practise short letters on everyday topics with clear openings, requests, and closings. Aim for solid A2 at minimum, and B1 if possible.
- Do mock tests in full. Complete every section under timed conditions. Do not skip the writing part to save time for listening and reading.
- Ask your teacher for a level check. Integration course teachers know the DTZ format. Ask for honest feedback on your writing level before the exam.
- Keep a backup plan. If writing is your weak area, compare the telc, Goethe, and ÖSD B1 exams. Each one has a different format and fee.
- Gather your documents early. For citizenship, collect your language certificate, civic test certificate, residence documents, and income proof in one folder.
- Watch for official guidance. BAMF and test providers will update their information pages. Read the BAMF page on the final exam before you book.
Who feels the change most
The rule hits candidates who speak and read well but struggle with written German. This group often includes workers who learned German on the job, older learners, and people who attended literacy courses. BAMF itself notes many participants in literacy courses do not reach B1 by the end of their course.
Employers who rely on integration course graduates should also take note. A B1 certificate often supports a settlement permit for Skilled Workers and their families. Fewer B1 results in the DTZ would push more people toward private exams and longer timelines.
The government argues written German matters for daily life, from dealing with authorities to joining the labour market. For you, the message is direct: treat the writing section as a full part of the exam, and plan your citizenship or settlement timeline around a result you earn in all three skill areas.
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