German for the settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis): B1 in most routes, A1 on one Blue Card route
Germany's permanent residence permit, the Niederlassungserlaubnis, has several routes, and each route states its own language condition. The Residence Act (AufenthG) uses words, not levels, and defines them in § 2: einfache = A1, hinreichende = A2, ausreichende = B1, gute = B2, and beherrscht = C1.
Everything below was read in the Act itself on gesetze-im-internet.de on 8 November 2026 (§§ 2, 9, 9a, 18c and 28). It covers the language part only; each route has other conditions too, such as income, pension contributions and housing.
Still before Germany? Language also counts in points for the Opportunity Card, and Austria's Red-White-Red Card scores German A1 to B1.
The general route (§ 9): B1 plus civics, after five years
After five years with a residence permit, § 9(2) lists nine conditions. Two are about integration: ausreichende Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache (B1) (no. 7) and basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany (no. 8).
Both are proved by successfully completing an integration course. The integration course ends with the DTZ and the Leben in Deutschland test.
EU long-term residence (§ 9a): the same B1 and civics
The Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU also needs five years and the same two conditions: B1 German and basic knowledge of the legal and social order (§ 9a(2) nos. 3 and 4), with the same rules on proof and exemptions as § 9.
Skilled workers and the EU Blue Card (§ 18c)
Skilled workers (Fachkräfte) can get it after three years with a residence title under §§ 18a, 18b, 18d or 18g, with B1 German. The three years become two if they completed a vocational training or degree in Germany (§ 18c(1)).
EU Blue Card holders have two speeds (§ 18c(2)): after 27 months of Blue Card employment with einfache Kenntnisse, that is A1, or after 21 months with B1. Both routes also take the civics condition from § 9(2) no. 8.
Spouses and family of Germans (§ 28): B1 after three years
The foreign spouse, child or parent of a German who has held a residence permit for three years should as a rule receive it if the family life in Germany continues, there is no interest in expulsion, and they have B1 German (§ 28(2)). The civics knowledge is not among the conditions this paragraph lists.
Exemptions
§ 9(2) says the German and civics conditions are waived for anyone who cannot meet them because of a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, and may be waived to avoid hardship. They are also waived for someone who can communicate orally in simple German and had no right to, or was not obliged to take, an integration course under §§ 44 and 44a.
Our reading: the Act names the level, not the certificate. A B1 certificate from the integration course, or an exam at B1 such as Goethe or telc B1, is the straightforward evidence; ask your immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) what it accepts before you book.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Assuming every route to permanent residence needs B1.
Checking the paragraph your route falls under.
The 27-month Blue Card route asks for einfache Kenntnisse, A1; the others listed here ask for B1.
Thinking a B1 certificate alone covers § 9.
Also proving basic civics knowledge, for example by completing the integration course.
§ 9(2) lists German (no. 7) and civics knowledge (no. 8) as separate conditions.
Reading “ausreichende Kenntnisse” as A2.
Reading it as B1.
§ 2(11) AufenthG defines ausreichende deutsche Sprachkenntnisse as CEFR B1; A2 is “hinreichende”.
Questions
What German level do you need for the Niederlassungserlaubnis?
B1 on the general route (§ 9), for EU long-term residence (§ 9a), for skilled workers (§ 18c(1)) and for family of Germans (§ 28). A1 on the 27-month Blue Card route.
What does “ausreichende Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache” mean?
CEFR level B1, as defined in § 2(11) of the Residence Act.
How fast can a Blue Card holder get permanent residence?
After 21 months of Blue Card employment with B1 German, or after 27 months with A1, if the other conditions are met.
Does the integration course count as proof?
Yes. § 9(2) says successfully completing an integration course proves both the German and the civics conditions.
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