Naturalization & Language Certificates: Does it really have to be telc or Goethe?

In our legal practice, we increasingly encounter situations where naturalization authorities refuse to recognize certain language certificates – particularly when they are not issued by telc, Goethe, or ÖSD. Applicants are then advised, or even required, to retake a language test with these specific providers. However: such a blanket exclusion of other providers is generally not legally permissible.

What does the law require? According to § 10 (1) sentence 1 no. 6 of the German Nationality Act (StAG), applicants for naturalization must prove sufficient knowledge of the German language. Pursuant to § 10 (4) sentence 1 StAG, this requirement is considered fulfilled if language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are demonstrated.

The decisive factor is therefore the language level, not the test provider.

Amendment of the law: No more provider restrictions With the reform of nationality law in August 2021 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 3538), the legislature deliberately refrained from naming specific providers. The previous version of the law still referred to the “Zertifikat Deutsch,” which was often associated with telc or the Goethe-Institut. This reference was expressly removed – as is made clear in the explanatory memorandum (BT-Drs. 249/21, p. 16 f.).

Conclusion: Neither telc nor any other provider is legally mandatory. § 10 (4) StAG does not stipulate such a requirement. The only relevant criterion is whether the certificate objectively demonstrates B1 level or higher (as of August 2025).

What does the case law say? Administrative courts also confirm this view: each certificate must be examined individually. For instance, the Higher Administrative Court of Münster (decision of 30.09.2022 – 19 B 712/22) held that a blanket rejection of certificates from other providers – e.g., insisting that only telc is acceptable – is not compatible with the law.

An example from our law firm Our client submitted a C1 certificate issued by Die Neue Schule Berlin in 2012. The exam is based on the CEFR, TÜV-certified, and covers all skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). It is therefore at least equivalent to a telc or Goethe certificate.

In addition, our client has been working as a customer advisor at a major German company – a position in which strong oral communication skills are indispensable. This professional context must also be considered when assessing language proficiency.

She was therefore shocked when the authority informed her that the certificate would not suffice, and that she must instead take a new test with telc or the Goethe-Institut. Following our legal submission, however, our client was successfully naturalized – with the certificate she had obtained back in 2012.

What can you do if your certificate is rejected? If your naturalization is denied on the grounds that, for example, only telc certificates are accepted, you have good chances of successfully challenging this. The legal situation is clear: what matters is the language level, not the provider.

Our tip: Have your certificate reviewed by a lawyer – we will be happy to assist you in presenting your case to the authority.

Do you have questions about naturalization or the recognition of your language certificate?Feel free to contact us – we provide tailored and legally sound advice.

Telephone: 030 30 8069 33

E-Mail: info@cetin-law.de