Do you need German for residence or citizenship in Austria in 2026?

For EU, EEA and Swiss free-movement registration, Anmeldebescheinigung does not hinge on a German exam. You still need German later for many local jobs and for naturalisation. Paperwork order: Apply for a residence permit and Register your address.

Third-country nationals applying for listed first titles such as Red-White-Red Card Plus, settlement permit, settlement permit except gainful employment, family member and related settlement titles must generally prove A1 German before immigration. oesterreich.gv.at calls this "German before immigration." Accepted diplomas come from ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖIF and must not be more than one year old at submission. Minors under 14 and several family-member and medical exception categories are exempt as listed on that page. Some Red-White-Red Card work categories follow different evidence rules; read your scheme page on migration.gv.at rather than assuming every worker needs A1.

When you receive certain residence titles, you commit to Integration Agreement Module 1: German at A2 plus basic values knowledge, usually within two years. City of Vienna and ÖIF materials explain that Module 1 proof often means an ÖIF integration exam certificate not older than two years at filing. Module 2 (B1 with values content) is not always compulsory for every renewal, but it is typically required for Daueraufenthalt – EU (permanent residence EU) and for Austrian citizenship language proof.

Independent-means settlers should also check German A1 expectations on the settlement permit for independent means pathway. Learning routes sit in Learn German in Austria. Daily English limits sit in Can you live in Austria with English.