German levels A1 to C1 explained: what you can do at each level
German levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which has six levels: A1 and A2 for basic users, B1 and B2 for independent users and C1 and C2 for proficient users. At A1 you can introduce yourself and handle simple exchanges. At A2 you manage routine tasks. At B1 you cope with most everyday situations and can explain your opinion. At B2 you follow and join real discussions, and at C1 you use German flexibly for work and study.
What is the CEFR, and why does German use it?
The CEFR, in German der Gemeinsame Europäische Referenzrahmen (often shortened to GER), describes language ability as a set of things you can do, not as a list of grammar you have covered. It works the same way for every European language, so a B1 in German means roughly the same as a B1 in Spanish.
Courses, textbooks and exams in Germany all use it. A course book called "A2.1" covers the first half of A2, the integration course aims at B1, and certificates from Goethe, telc and other providers state the level you passed. When an authority, an employer or a university asks for "B1" or "C1", this is the scale they mean.
Two things are worth knowing from the start. First, the levels are wide: early B1 and late B1 feel very different. Second, your skills are rarely all at the same level. Many learners read at B1 but speak at A2, and that is normal.
What can you do at each level?
| Level | Name | In short |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions |
| A2 | Elementary | Handle routine tasks: shopping, directions, simple appointments |
| B1 | Intermediate | Cope with most everyday situations, describe experiences, give reasons |
| B2 | Upper intermediate | Follow and join discussions, explain a view with pros and cons |
| C1 | Advanced | Use German flexibly and precisely at work and at university |
| C2 | Proficient | Understand virtually everything and express fine shades of meaning |
A1: the first sentences
At A1 you understand slow, clear German about familiar things and can use simple, memorised phrases. You can say who you are, order in a café and ask where something is, as long as the other person is patient.
Ich heiße Sara und komme aus Indien.
My name is Sara and I'm from India.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I'd like a coffee, please.
A2: everyday routines
At A2 you can deal with the routine parts of life: shopping, the doctor's reception, a short phone call, talking about your family and your job. You can tell someone what you did at the weekend, in simple sentences.
Ich habe am Wochenende meine Freunde besucht.
I visited my friends at the weekend.
Können Sie mir sagen, wann der nächste Zug nach Hamburg fährt?
Can you tell me when the next train to Hamburg leaves?
B1: independent in daily life
B1 is the big step. You understand the main points when people speak clearly about work, school or free time, you can handle most situations on a journey or at an office, and you can describe experiences and give short reasons for your opinions. Your sentences now connect with weil, dass and wenn.
Ich arbeite gern im Team, weil ich von meinen Kollegen viel lerne.
I like working in a team because I learn a lot from my colleagues.
B2: real conversations
At B2 you can follow longer talks and discussions in your field, read newspaper articles and talk with native speakers without either side straining. You can explain a point of view and weigh its advantages and disadvantages.
Einerseits spart das Homeoffice Zeit, andererseits fehlt mir der Austausch mit dem Team.
On the one hand working from home saves time, on the other I miss the exchange with the team.
C1: precise and flexible
At C1 you understand demanding, longer texts and the meaning between the lines. You speak fluently without searching for words most of the time, and you can adjust your German to the situation: a meeting, a seminar, a complaint, a friendly chat.
Wenn ich das richtig verstehe, geht es weniger um die Kosten als um die Frage, wer die Verantwortung trägt.
If I understand correctly, it's less about the cost than about the question of who is responsible.
Which German level do you need in Germany?
The answer depends on what you need it for, and the institution asking always has the last word. As a general orientation:
| Purpose | Level usually asked for |
|---|---|
| Joining a spouse in Germany (many visas) | A1 |
| Integration course goal | B1 |
| German citizenship | B1 |
| Permanent residence (in many cases) | B1 |
| Many office and customer-facing jobs | B2 |
| Studying at a German-language university | Usually C1, or a specific exam such as TestDaF or DSH |
Rules change, and there are exceptions. For visas, check with the German embassy; for residence and citizenship, look at bamf.de; for study, ask the university. We cover the citizenship requirement in detail in B1 German for citizenship.
How long does it take to reach each level?
Every level takes longer than the one before, because the amount of vocabulary and the range of situations grow each time. A1 can feel quick; the road from B1 to B2 often feels slow, even when you learn every day. Many learners also stall somewhere between A2 and B1, which we look at in getting past the intermediate plateau.
How fast you move depends on how many hours you put in, how much German you hear and use outside lessons, and which languages you already speak. For a realistic estimate, read how long it takes to learn German.
How do you find out your German level?
There are three ways, from quickest to most official:
- Self-assessment. Read the descriptions above and be honest about each skill separately. Can you follow the news? Write a complaint? Explain your job?
- A placement test. Language schools and many apps give short tests that place you roughly. They are useful for choosing a course, but they are not a certificate.
- An exam. A certificate from an official provider is the only proof most institutions accept. Our guides to the A1 exam, the B1 exam and Goethe or telc explain the options.
How does Linota help you move up a level?
Linota works at your level from the first day. Every morning Home brings a short text in the Reading room and a grammar rule matched to where you are, plus a word of the day and a little of the day's news. Any word you tap shows its meaning in that sentence, and one more tap saves it with a note on its forms. Your saved words come back in review cards and games, and Writing feedback points out your mistakes and explains them in a short text you write, which is exactly the skill exams at B1 and above test.
The short version
- German levels follow the CEFR: A1 and A2 basic, B1 and B2 independent, C1 and C2 proficient.
- Your skills can sit at different levels; that is normal.
- B1 is the level for citizenship, many jobs expect B2, universities usually ask for C1.
- Each level takes longer than the last.
- Only an official certificate proves your level to an institution.
Ready to go further? Read what changes at B2 and C1.
Questions people ask
What level of German is considered fluent?
Most people mean B2 or C1 when they say fluent. At B2 you can follow and join a normal conversation without strain, and at C1 you can express yourself flexibly at work or at university. Native-like precision is C2.
Is B1 German good enough to work in Germany?
For many jobs B1 is a workable start, especially where colleagues speak some English or the tasks are practical. Office jobs with a lot of writing, customer contact or meetings usually expect B2. The employer decides, so check the job advert.
Do German certificates expire?
The certificates from Goethe and telc do not carry an expiry date. Some employers, universities or authorities, however, only accept certificates that are not too old, so read their requirements before you rely on an older one.
Can I skip a level?
You can take an exam at any level without having a certificate for the level below. What you cannot skip is the learning in between: B1 builds on everything from A1 and A2, so gaps there show up later.