B1German · TELC GmbH

TELC Deutsch B1

The standard German exam for citizenship and permanent residence.

About this exam

TELC Deutsch B1 is one of the most widely accepted German language certificates for immigration purposes. It is required for German citizenship (Einbürgerung) and in many cases for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis). The exam tests all four language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Exam sections

Lesen & Sprachbausteine

65 min

Reading comprehension across 3 tasks plus gap-fill grammar exercises.

Hören

40 min

Listening comprehension with 3 different audio formats.

Schreiben

30 min

Write a semi-formal letter addressing all 4 bullet points from the prompt.

Sprechen

15 min

Oral exam in pairs: introduce yourself, discuss a topic, plan something together.

Preparation tips

→Address all 4 bullet points in the letter — missing one costs a full grade band.
→In the Sprechen section, don't wait for your partner — take initiative in the planning task.
→Lesen Task 3 (multiple matching) is time-sensitive — leave 20 minutes for it.

Scoring

Each section worth 45 points. Total: 180 points. Pass threshold: 60% overall (108 points) with no section below 50%.

Validity

Lifetime (no expiry)

Approximate cost

~€150–€200 depending on test centre

Accepted by

✓German Immigration Authorities (BAMF)
✓Bundesagentur für Arbeit
✓Most German universities for non-EU students

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