Goethe B1 · Vergleich
Goethe B1 vs DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer): which B1 proof should you use?
Liana · studies the official Goethe B1 Modellsätze · Stand: Juli 2026
The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) and the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 are the two most common ways to prove B1 German in Germany. A DTZ passed at B1 level counts exactly like a Goethe B1 for citizenship and permanent residence — but the DTZ is a scaled exam and can also come back at A2, and that changes everything.
Short answer: if you are currently in an Integrationskurs, take the DTZ — it is the course's final exam and generally included free of charge. If you got a DTZ result at A2, are not in a course, or are applying from abroad, the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (or telc B1) is the direct route to a certificate that actually says B1. Legally, both count the same at B1 level — there is no "better" certificate.
Key facts
- DTZ
- Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer — the final exam of the state Integrationskurs. A scaled exam: it certifies A2 or B1 depending on your performance.
- Goethe B1
- Independent certificate exam, no course required. Four separate modules, each scored /100 with a pass mark of 60 — the result is fixed at B1 or fail.
- Einbürgerung
- A DTZ result at B1 level and the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 are accepted equally (§ 10 StAG). A DTZ result at A2 does not count for citizenship.
- Cost
- DTZ: generally free as part of the Integrationskurs; a fee applies for external candidates. Goethe B1: EUR 195–230 in Germany — see the cost guide.
- Retakes
- DTZ: the whole exam is retaken. Goethe B1: modules can be retaken individually.
- Best pick
- In an Integrationskurs → DTZ. Got DTZ-A2, no course, or abroad → Goethe B1.
This page lays out what each exam is, where they genuinely differ, and which one fits your situation — so you can decide quickly and get back to preparing. The one thing to internalise before anything else: for Einbürgerung and the Niederlassungserlaubnis, what matters is the level on the certificate, not the logo on it.
What is the DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer)?
The DTZ is the final exam of the state Integrationskurs, the German integration course. It was developed in the telc/BAMF context specifically for adult immigrants in Germany, and its topics reflect everyday life here — work, housing, offices, appointments. Official details on the course and exam are on bamf.de.
The exam has three parts:
- Hören + Lesen — a combined listening and reading section, 70 minutes.
- Schreiben — writing a letter, 30 minutes.
- Sprechen — an oral exam of about 15 minutes, taken in pairs.
The defining feature of the DTZ is that it is a scaled exam: there is one exam, and depending on how well you do, your certificate states A2 or B1. You cannot "fail into" a lower exam or choose the level in advance — the result is whatever your performance earns. This is fundamentally different from the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, which tests B1 and nothing else: you either pass at B1 or you don't.
For Integrationskurs participants the DTZ is generally free as part of the course. Taking it outside a course is possible as an external candidate at licensed test centres, for a fee that varies by provider.
The Goethe-Zertifikat B1, by contrast, is completely independent of any course. It consists of four separate modules — Lesen (65 min), Hören (40 min), Schreiben (60 min), and Sprechen (about 15 min, in pairs) — each scored out of 100 with a pass mark of 60. Crucially, the modules can be booked and retaken individually, and the exam is offered at Goethe-Institut centres and licensed partners worldwide. The Prüfung overview walks through the full format.
Comparison at a glance
Here is a side-by-side overview of the practical differences between the two exams.
| Category | Goethe B1 | DTZ |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer |
| What it is | Independent certificate exam, no course required | Final exam of the state Integrationskurs (telc/BAMF context) |
| Level certified | Fixed B1 — pass or fail per module | Scaled — A2 or B1, depending on performance |
| Who it's for | Anyone: self-learners, external candidates, applicants from abroad | Primarily Integrationskurs participants in Germany |
| Format | 4 separate modules: Lesen 65 min, Hören 40 min, Schreiben 60 min, Sprechen ~15 min (in pairs) | 3 parts: Hören + Lesen combined 70 min, Schreiben (letter) 30 min, Sprechen ~15 min (in pairs) |
| Scoring | Each module /100, pass mark 60 | Scaled result: certificate states A2 or B1 |
| Cost | EUR 195–230 in Germany (cost guide); varies by country | Generally free within the Integrationskurs; fee as external candidate (varies by provider) |
| Retake rules | Modules retakable individually — fail Schreiben, retake only Schreiben | The whole exam is retaken |
| Availability | Goethe-Institut centres and licensed partners worldwide | Licensed test centres in Germany, usually tied to course cycles |
| Einbürgerung accepted? | Yes | Yes — only with a B1 result; a DTZ-A2 does not count |
| Niederlassungserlaubnis | Yes | Yes, with a B1 result |
Which counts for Einbürgerung?
Both — at B1 level. German citizenship law (§ 10 StAG) requires proof of German at CEFR B1; it does not name a specific certificate. A DTZ passed at B1, the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, and ÖSD B1 are all accepted equally for Einbürgerung and for the Niederlassungserlaubnis. There is no legally "better" certificate, and no authority will treat a Goethe B1 as worth more than a DTZ-B1 or vice versa.
The demand for these certificates is anything but theoretical: in 2024, a record 292,020 people were naturalised in Germany — 46% more than the year before (Destatis, final results). Every one of those applications needed a B1 language proof.
The DTZ-A2 trap: because the DTZ is scaled, many people finish their Integrationskurs with a certificate that says A2 — and only discover at the Einbürgerungsbehörde that it does not meet the B1 requirement. A DTZ-A2 cannot be upgraded; you need a new exam that certifies B1. This is one of the most common reasons people book a Goethe B1 later. Our guide to the Integrationskurs and DTZ results explains the A2 vs B1 outcome in detail.
If you already hold a DTZ at B1: you are done with the language requirement — there is no reason to sit another exam. If you hold a DTZ at A2, read on: the decision guide below covers your options. For the full picture of the citizenship language requirement, see the Einbürgerung guide.
Which should you take? Decision by situation
The DTZ is the course's built-in final exam and generally included free of charge for participants. The course prepares you for exactly this format, and a B1 result gives you a fully valid language proof for citizenship and permanent residence. Paying separately for a Goethe B1 in this situation would solve a problem you don't have.
Your A2 certificate cannot be upgraded, so you need a new B1 exam either way. Retaking the DTZ means sitting the entire exam again as an external candidate. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is often the more forgiving route: four separate modules, each passed at 60/100, and if one module goes wrong you retake only that module instead of everything. The Goethe vs telc comparison helps if you are weighing those two.
The DTZ is tied to the German Integrationskurs system and its test centres in Germany. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is bookable at Goethe-Institut centres and licensed partners worldwide, which makes it the practical choice if you are preparing outside Germany or simply were never part of a course.
Because the Goethe modules are booked and retaken individually, a bad day in one skill doesn't cost you the whole exam. If exam nerves are a factor, or your four skills are at noticeably different levels, that flexibility is worth real money and time. Fees in Germany run EUR 195–230 for the full exam — the cost guide has details.
Whichever exam you choose, practise its specific format — the task types differ, and familiarity is the biggest single factor in passing. For the Goethe route, the Prüfung overview explains all four modules and the free Modelltest lets you try the format in exam conditions.
Going the Goethe B1 route?
Free interactive Modelltest covering all four Prüfungsteile, with instant Lösungen after every question. No PDF, no credit card.
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Is the DTZ accepted for Einbürgerung (German citizenship)?
Yes — if your DTZ certificate shows a B1 result. The citizenship law (§ 10 StAG) requires proof of German at CEFR B1 level, and a DTZ passed at B1 satisfies it exactly like a Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or telc B1. The catch: the DTZ is a scaled exam and can also certify A2, and a DTZ result at A2 level does not meet the citizenship requirement. Check the level printed on your certificate before applying — our Einbürgerung guide covers the language requirement in full.
I got an A2 result on the DTZ — what should I do now?
You need a new certificate that shows B1. You have two routes: retake the DTZ (the whole exam is retaken — there are no individual modules) or take an independent B1 exam such as the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or telc Deutsch B1. Many people in this situation choose the Goethe B1 because its four modules can be retaken individually if one goes wrong. Your DTZ-A2 stays valid as proof of A2, but it cannot be upgraded — a new exam is required. Background in our post on Integrationskurs and DTZ results.
Can I take the DTZ without attending an Integrationskurs?
Yes. The DTZ is normally taken as the final exam of the state Integrationskurs, where it is generally included free of charge for participants. You can also register as an external candidate at licensed test centres for a fee, which varies by provider. If you are not in a course, compare that route with booking a Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or telc B1 directly — for many external candidates the independent exams are the more straightforward option. Official course and exam details are on bamf.de.
Is the Goethe B1 better than the DTZ for citizenship or permanent residence?
No. Legally there is no better certificate. A DTZ passed at B1 level, the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, and ÖSD B1 are all accepted equally for Einbürgerung and the Niederlassungserlaubnis. The choice is practical: the DTZ is the natural (and generally free) route inside an Integrationskurs, while the Goethe B1 offers a fixed B1 result, individually retakable modules, and worldwide availability.
How do the DTZ and Goethe B1 differ in format?
The DTZ has three parts: a combined Hören + Lesen section (70 minutes), Schreiben (a letter, 30 minutes), and Sprechen (about 15 minutes, in pairs). It is scaled and certifies A2 or B1 depending on performance. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 has four separate modules — Lesen (65 min), Hören (40 min), Schreiben (60 min), Sprechen (~15 min, in pairs) — each scored out of 100 with a pass mark of 60, and each module can be retaken individually. The task types differ too, so practise the format of the exam you actually book — the Prüfung overview covers the Goethe side.
Can I prepare for the Goethe B1 for free?
Yes. GoethéB1 offers a free interactive Modelltest covering all four exam modules in the Goethe B1 format, with instant Lösungen after every question. The Prüfung overview explains what to expect on exam day, and the cost guide lists current fees. No download or credit card required to start practising.
Last updated: 23 July 2026 · GoethéB1 is independent and not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, or the BAMF.