Complete Guide to Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1)
The German A1 exam required for spouse and family-reunification visas — format, points, registration, and how to prepare from anywhere in the world
What is the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam?
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 certifies elementary German at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It is the certificate most German embassies list as proof of basic German for a spouse or family-reunification visa (Ehegattennachzug), and it is also used by au pairs and anyone who wants an internationally recognized first German certificate. You can take it at Goethe-Instituts and their partner examination centers in over 90 countries — most candidates take it in their home country before moving to Germany.
An important fact many candidates miss: Start Deutsch 1 was developed jointly by the Goethe-Institut and telc. The exam offered as "Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1" and the exam offered as "telc Deutsch A1" are the same exam — same sections, same tasks, same points. Which name is on your certificate depends only on which organization runs your test center. If you are taking the exam inside Germany, the telc version is often easier to find and cheaper; see our telc A1 guide for that route.
The exam has four short sections: Hören (listening, ~20 minutes), Lesen (reading) and Schreiben (writing) in one 45-minute block, and Sprechen (speaking, ~15 minutes as a group exam). Raw scores are scaled to a maximum of 100 points and you pass with 60 — there is no minimum score per section. There is no Sprachbausteine (grammar) section at A1: grammar is only tested indirectly through the four skills.
Exam Structure
| Section | Duration | Parts | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hören (Listening) | ~20 minutes | 3 | 15 |
| Lesen (Reading) | ~25 minutes | 3 | 15 |
| Schreiben (Writing) | ~20 minutes | 2 | 15 |
| Sprechen (Speaking) | ~15 minutes | 3 | 15 |
What Is This Certificate Accepted For?
Spouse / Family Reunification Visa
The certificate German embassies most commonly list as proof of basic German for the Ehegattennachzug (spouse visa). Most embassies require a recent certificate — often not older than one year at application.
Au Pair Visa
Accepted as proof of the basic German skills required for an au-pair stay in Germany
First Recognized German Certificate
An internationally recognized starting point before continuing to A2, B1, and beyond
German Citizenship / Permanent Residence
NOT sufficient — naturalization and permanent residence require B1-level German (see our telc B1 and Goethe B1 guides)
Registration & Cost
- 1Find your nearest Goethe-Institut or partner examination center on the official Goethe website (available in over 90 countries)
- 2If you need the certificate for a visa, confirm with your German embassy which certificates and how recent they must be
- 3Check exam dates and register early — in high-demand countries A1 exam slots can fill up weeks or months ahead
- 4Complete the registration form and pay the exam fee (external candidates often pay a higher fee than course participants)
- 5Receive your confirmation with the exam date, time, and location
- 6Arrive early on exam day with the same valid photo ID (usually your passport) you used to register
Preparation Timeline
- Learn the core A1 vocabulary by topic: family, home, food, shopping, work, health (~650 words total)
- Master numbers, dates, times, and spelling names aloud — they appear in every section of the exam
- Learn present-tense verb forms and simple sentence structure (subject–verb–object)
- Listen to slow beginner German daily, even 10 minutes — your ear needs time
- Practice introducing yourself: name, age, country, address, languages, job
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Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Yes — both are the same exam, Start Deutsch 1, developed jointly by the Goethe-Institut and telc. The sections, tasks, timing, and scoring are identical; only the logo on the certificate differs, depending on which organization runs your test center. Goethe-Instituts operate worldwide, which is why embassies usually name the Goethe certificate; inside Germany the telc version is widely offered at language schools and Volkshochschulen, often at a lower fee.
German missions require proof of basic German (A1) for most spouse/family-reunification visas, and they commonly name the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1. Certificates from other ALTE-audited providers such as telc are legally recognized as equivalent, but embassy practice varies by country — always check your specific embassy’s website before booking. Most embassies also require the certificate to be recent, often not older than one year.
A1 requires roughly 650 words of core vocabulary and very simple grammar: present tense, basic questions, and simple everyday sentences. Learners typically need about 80–200 hours of study depending on their language background and study intensity. With consistent daily practice, many candidates prepare in 2–3 months from zero.
Sprechen is a group exam of about 15 minutes with three parts: first you introduce yourself (name, age, country, languages, job) and spell your name or give a number when asked; then you draw word cards and ask and answer simple questions on an everyday topic; finally you draw picture cards and make and respond to simple requests. You speak with other candidates, not only with the examiners.
You pass with 60 of 100 points. Your raw points from the four sections (15 each, 60 total) are scaled to a 100-point result. There is no minimum score per section, so a weaker section can be balanced by a stronger one. Grades: 90–100 sehr gut, 80–89 gut, 70–79 befriedigend, 60–69 ausreichend.
The certificate itself does not expire. However, for visa purposes most German embassies require a recent certificate — commonly not older than one year at the time of application. If your certificate is older, check with your embassy whether you need to retake the exam.
Yes — that is the normal route for visa applicants. Goethe-Instituts and their licensed partner examination centers offer Start Deutsch 1 in over 90 countries, including regular dates in the countries with the most family-reunification applicants. Use the test-center search on the official Goethe website and book early, as visa-driven demand can fill A1 slots quickly.
Most centers publish A1 results within about two to four weeks; some larger institutes are faster. The certificate can usually be collected at the center or sent by post. Plan the waiting time into your visa timeline.