German A1 for the spouse visa (Ehegattennachzug): what the law asks, which certificates embassies accept, and who is exempt
If you want to join your husband or wife who lives in Germany, you usually have to show simple German before the visa is issued. The law calls it being able to communicate zumindest auf einfache Art in deutscher Sprache (§ 30 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 AufenthG), and § 2 Abs. 9 AufenthG defines simple German as level A1 of the Common European Framework.
We read both sections on gesetze-im-internet.de on 7 November 2026, together with a German embassy's information sheet on the language proof (Athens, Stand März 2021). Your embassy's own sheet decides for you; this guide shows what to look for in it.
Which certificates count
You can learn German any way you like: a school, a private teacher, an app, your spouse. Only the exam has to be with a recognised provider. The Athens sheet says certificates from a standardised exam meeting the standards of ALTE (the Association of Language Testers in Europe) are accepted, which it says currently means:
1. Start Deutsch 1 of the Goethe-Institut. 2. Start Deutsch 1 of telc. 3. Grundstufe Deutsch 1 of the ÖSD.
The same sheet adds that in Greece only the Goethe and ÖSD exams are offered, and that other local certificates are not accepted. Our reading: the list of what you can actually sit differs by country, so check your embassy's sheet before you book. For the providers' level systems, see Goethe-Zertifikat levels and ÖSD exams explained.
The certificate must be recent
The Athens sheet says your German must still be current when the visa is decided, and so in principle only certificates taken less than a year before are accepted. Keep practising after you pass.
Our reading: plan the exam close to your visa appointment, not a year ahead.
Who does not need A1
§ 30 Abs. 1 AufenthG lists cases where the language proof does not apply. Among them:
Your spouse holds an EU Blue Card, an ICT card, or certain residence titles for skilled work, research or teaching, or held one just before a settlement permit. Your spouse is a national of a country whose citizens may enter and stay in Germany without a visa for longer than a short stay. You cannot show simple German because of a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability. Your integration need is recognisably low, or you would have no right to an integration course after arrival. It is impossible or unreasonable, in your particular case, to try to learn simple German before entering. Certain protected people (refugees and others) whose marriage already existed when they moved their life to Germany.
The Athens sheet's own list adds joining EU citizens and a minor German child. Joining a German spouse is governed by a different section (§ 28 AufenthG), which this guide does not cover.
Both spouses must be 18
The same paragraph also requires that both spouses are at least 18 (§ 30 Abs. 1 Nr. 1), with a hardship exception (§ 30 Abs. 2).
After you arrive, the language bar rises: permanent residence and citizenship ask for more German. See German for citizenship in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Booking any A1 test sold locally.
Booking one of the certificates your embassy's sheet lists.
The Athens sheet says certificates from other local providers are not accepted.
Passing A1 early and applying 18 months later.
Sitting the exam within a year of the visa decision.
The sheet says, in principle, only certificates under one year old are accepted.
Assuming everyone needs A1.
Checking the exemptions in § 30 AufenthG first.
Spouses of Blue Card holders, of nationals of visa-free countries and others are exempt.
Questions
What level of German do I need for a spouse visa to Germany?
Level A1. § 30 AufenthG asks for simple German, and § 2 Abs. 9 AufenthG defines it as A1.
Which German A1 certificates are accepted for the spouse visa?
German missions accept ALTE-standard certificates; the Athens embassy lists Goethe-Institut Start Deutsch 1, telc Start Deutsch 1 and ÖSD Grundstufe Deutsch 1. Check your own embassy's list.
How old can my A1 certificate be?
The Athens embassy says that in principle it must have been taken less than a year before the visa decision.
Do spouses of EU Blue Card holders need A1?
No. § 30 AufenthG exempts spouses of EU Blue Card holders from the language proof.
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