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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Austria: Just how good does your German have to be to gain residency and citizenship?

A good knowledge of German is a pre-requisite for residency and citizenship - but how good does it have to be?

Published: 5 February 2021 10:30 CET
Updated: 27 February 2023 10:58 CET
Austria: Just how good does your German have to be to gain residency and citizenship?
There are lots of different ways to learn German in Austria. (Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev)

Austria is a German-speaking country. This means if you want to live in Austria on a long-term basis you will need a decent grasp of the language.

Almost any international resident in Austria will tell you that many people speak English, especially in places like Vienna. But to fully integrate into Austrian culture, German language skills are needed.

And for people that want to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Austria, it’s a mandatory part of the process. 

How good does my German have to be?

The 2011 Integration Agreement promotes the linguistic integration of international residents that want to live in Austria on a long-term basis. It applies to third country nationals (e.g. non-EU citizens). 

When people first move to Austria with a residency permit they sign the Agreement with the Österreich Integration Fonds to commit to learning Level A2 German within two years. The aim is to ensure new residents in Austria can integrate and a big part of that is being able to communicate.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What is the Austrian integration exam for non-EU nationals?

Module 1 of the Integration Agreement includes the Fit for Austria test (A1), which covers basic understanding and speaking in German. This is followed by the ÖIF test (A2).

Module 2 is non-compulsory and includes the German test for Austria (A2 / B1) and B2 ÖIF test. 

Even if you work in English, or another language, it’s still important to become proficient in German. Especially if you plan to make a permanent home in Austria.

Learning German – how good does it have to be to become Austrian? Photo: DPA

What German language level is needed for permanent residency in Austria?

You can apply for permanent residency (Aufenthaltstitel Daueraufenthalt) in Austria after living in the country for five years. As part of the application process, you need German language skills at Level B1.

Level B1 is part of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) of which there are six levels (A1 to C2).

B1 is a step above basic understanding and speaking (A2). It means you are an independent user of the German language and can understand the main points in conversations and in texts.

READ ALSO: What are the best German classes for you in Vienna?

According to the Goethe-Institut, Level B1 German also means you can express yourself simply about certain topics, and describe hopes and ambitions. It’s not a fluent level of language, but it’s deemed suitable to be able to live and work in Austria on a permanent basis.

The B1 German exam is split into four parts and involves reading (Lesen), listening (Hören), writing (Schreiben) and speaking (Sprechen) tests.

What German language level is needed for citizenship in Austria?

For permanent residents in Austria looking to become a citizen, there are a few prerequisites. 

First, non-EU citizens must have lived in Austria for ten years with five of those as a permanent resident. EU citizens can apply for citizenship after six years of permanent residence. Plus, applicants will have to revoke their original citizenship.

Citizenship also requires Level B1 German. You can show proof of this if you have attended school or university in Austria.

READ ALSO: The seven stages of learning German every foreigner goes through

Alternatively, you can take the Integration Test, which includes a Level B1 German exam and a test about in-depth knowledge of Austrian values.

But if you have Level B2 German, or higher, you can bypass the Integration Test. As long as you have a B2 certificate from a recognised language school to prove your language skills.

What is the difference between B1 and B2 German?

B2 German is considered an advanced level of language capability. It means you can understand the main parts of complex texts and have technical discussions in your area of expertise.

At Level B2 you can have conversations with native speakers almost fluently and express your opinion on current affairs. It’s a much more accomplished level of language skills, which is important for people that are becoming a citizen of a German-speaking country.

For more information

There is plenty of help available for people living in Austria that want to improve their German for permanent residency or citizenship applications.

For more information, visit the links below:

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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