DTB Deutschtest für Zuwanderer BAMF Guide 2026
When I was looking for information about the BAMF integration course exam, I kept seeing "DTB" and "DTZ" and wasn't sure which was correct. Here's what I found: the official name is Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ)—it's the final language exam for the BAMF Integration Course. Many people search for "DTB Deutschtest für Zuwanderer" or "Deutschtest Zuwanderer," so I'm using that in the title too. In this guide I'll cover what the exam is, the format and sections, BAMF requirements and recognition, how to prepare, and where to find free practice resources. If you're finishing your integration course or need proof of German for Niederlassungserlaubnis or citizenship, this is the exam you need to know about.
What is the DTB / DTZ?
The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) is the official final language examination for the BAMF Integration Course (Integrationskurs). It's a single test that can result in either an A2 or B1 certificate—so it's "scaled": one exam, two possible outcomes. Depending on your score, you receive a certificate for A2 or B1. That matters because to officially "pass" the integration course for German authorities, you need B1 in all sections of the DTZ plus a pass in the "Leben in Deutschland" (LiD) test. The DTZ serves as legal proof of language proficiency for permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and, under the 2024/2026 citizenship reforms, for the fast-tracked German citizenship process. So it's not the same as a Goethe B1 or a general German B1 test—it's specifically designed for people in the integration pathway. For more context on the full course, see our guide to the German Integrationskurs and DTZ.
When I was preparing, I wanted to know exactly what to expect. The DTZ has a written part and an oral part.
Written exam (about 100 minutes total):
- Listening (Hörverstehen): Understanding everyday conversations and public announcements—the kind of things you hear at the doctor's office, at the Ausländerbehörde, or in the neighborhood.
- Reading (Lesen): Short texts like advertisements, emails, and information signs. Very practical, daily-life focused.
- Writing (Schreiben): Usually a semi-formal or formal letter or email—for example a letter to a landlord, or an application for a course. Structure and register matter a lot here.
Oral exam (about 15 minutes):
- Done in pairs with two examiners.
- Part 1: Introduce yourself.
- Part 2: Describe a photo or picture and relate it to your own experience.
- Part 3: Task-based dialogue with your partner (e.g. planning an event or solving a problem together).
The whole thing is geared toward integration topics: shopping, housing, authorities, neighborhood, work. It's not academic like the Goethe-Zertifikat or TestDaF—it's about everyday life in Germany. If you want to practise in a similar format, our learning resources and exam preparation materials can help with letter writing and listening.
BAMF Requirements and Recognition
Who is it for? The DTZ is intended for people who have completed (or are completing) the 600–700 hour Integration Course. Funding: First-time test takers are usually funded by the BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge). If you attended the course regularly, one free retake is often possible—but check with your course provider. Legal validity: The certificate is recognized by all German authorities for migration and labor market purposes. To pass the Integration Course officially you must achieve B1 in all sections of the DTZ and pass the "Leben in Deutschland" (LiD) test. If you only get A2, you get an A2 certificate but you haven't met the full integration requirement for citizenship or certain residence purposes; you may need to repeat the final modules and retake the test. For the latest rules, always check the BAMF and Make it in Germany language proof pages.
How to Prepare
From what I learned and from people who've taken the exam:
- Focus on everyday life: Unlike the Goethe-Zertifikat, the DTZ sticks to integration themes—shopping, housing, authorities, neighborhood, work. No academic essays or university-style tasks.
- Letter and email templates: The writing section often asks for a formal or semi-formal letter. Practise the structure: greeting, reason for writing, main points, closing. Redemittel for letters (e.g. "Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil…", "Mit freundlichen Grüßen") are essential.
- Vocabulary: The BAMF Rahmencurriculum defines the vocabulary for migrants' daily lives in Germany. Course materials and the vhs-Lernportal (see below) align with this.
- Speaking in pairs: If you can, practise the oral tasks with a partner—introductions, describing pictures, and short dialogues. The exam is in pairs, so being comfortable with that format helps.
Free Practice Resources
These are the resources I and others found most useful:
- Official mock exams: The exam is developed and administered by g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung) together with telc. Check g.a.s.t. and telc for official sample papers so you know the exact task types.
- vhs-Lernportal: A free, BAMF-supported online platform for preparing for the A2–B1 Deutschtest für Zuwanderer. It's built around the same topics and level as the DTZ. I used it for extra listening and writing practice.
- Deutsche Welle (DW) – "Nicos Weg" A2/B1: Strong for situational vocabulary and listening. The scenarios (authorities, flat-hunting, work) match what you get in the DTZ.
- Our site: For a quick check of your level and more practice, use our free placement check and practice tests. We also have Goethe exam preparation if you're comparing the DTZ with other German certification options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DTB / DTZ?
The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) is the official final language exam for the BAMF Integration Course. It's a scaled A2/B1 test: one exam, and you receive either an A2 or B1 certificate depending on your score. It's often searched as "DTB Deutschtest für Zuwanderer"—same exam.
Who must take it?
Anyone who wants to complete the BAMF Integration Course officially and get the certificate that counts for Niederlassungserlaubnis, citizenship, or other migration purposes. You usually take it after the 600–700 hour course. Your course provider will register you. You can also take it as an "external participant" without having attended a course, but then you typically pay the exam fee yourself (around €120–€180).
What level do I need?
To "pass" the integration course in the eyes of the authorities, you need B1 in all sections of the DTZ (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and a pass in the "Leben in Deutschland" test. If you only reach A2, you get an A2 certificate but must usually repeat the final modules and retake the DTZ to meet the B1 requirement.
How long are the results valid?
The DTZ certificate does not expire for residency or citizenship purposes. Authorities may still sometimes ask for a certificate that is not too old (e.g. within the last few years)—check the specific requirement for your Aufenthaltstitel or Einbürgerung.
What happens if I only reach A2?
You receive an A2 certificate, but you have not passed the full integration course requirement needed for citizenship or certain residence benefits. You can repeat the final modules of the course and retake the test to try for B1.
Is the DTZ the same as the Goethe B1?
No. The DTZ is for the integration course and is a single scaled A2/B1 exam focused on everyday life and migration topics. The Goethe B1 is a separate, modular exam with a broader and more general (and partly academic) focus. Both can prove B1 level, but they are different tests with different formats and purposes.
Can I take the DTZ without attending a course?
Yes, as an external participant ("externer Teilnehmer"). You will usually have to pay the examination fee yourself (approx. €120–€180). You won't get BAMF funding for the exam unless you're in the funded course.
Next Steps
If you're in an integration course, your provider will tell you when to register for the DTZ. Use the free practice resources above—especially the vhs-Lernportal and official samples—to get used to the format. For a quick sense of your level before the exam, take our free placement check and explore our practice materials. Good luck with your integration course exam.
CTA: Take a free placement check and access practice tests for the Deutschtest für Zuwanderer.
Official sources & references
Authoritative links for the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ), BAMF integration course, and the free practice resources mentioned in this guide. All links verified.
