Integration Agreement and “German before Immigration” in Austria: An overview

The Integration Agreement (in German: Integrationsvereinbarung, short: IV) and “German before Immigration” (in German: “Deutsch vor Zuwanderung”, short: DvZ) are important terms when it comes to the long-term residence of third-country nationals in Austria. In this blog, you will find a structured overview of the most important questions, from module distribution and accepted proof to particularities of procedures such as the EU Blue Card or persons with recognized university degrees.

The Integration Agreement is designed to help third-country nationals integrate into Austrian society. It promotes German language skills and basic social knowledge. Compliance with the Integration Agreement is necessary to obtain a residence permit for longer than one year or, in certain cases, to obtain a residence permit at all.

Module 1 and Module 2 of the Integration Agreement: explanation, differences, and fulfilment options

Module 1

This module requires proof of language level A2. This is a basic level that covers fundamental language skills such as shopping, giving directions, and simple everyday conversations. 

Module 2

Language level B1 is required for this module. It shows that you can communicate in familiar situations and write simple texts. This module is necessary, for example, for permanent residence in the EU and Austrian citizenship.

For holders of the Red-White-Red Card, Module 1 of the Integration Agreement is automatically considered to have been completed (but not for holders of an EU Blue Card!).

In all other cases, the following applies to both modules: A language certificate(e.g., ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, telc) alone is not sufficient. An integration exam (A2 or B1) must be taken, which tests social knowledge in addition to language skills at the required level.

There are also other ways to fulfill Module 1 and/or Module 2 of the Integration Agreement. Here are a few examples:

Fulfilling Module 1

Instead of the A2 integration exam, you can submit proof of your general university entrance qualification, which would allow you to attend an Austrian university or university of applied sciences. Such proof includes, for example, a university degree from a foreign university. The Anabin databaseAnabin database () helps to assess whether a foreign university is listed as “H+” and thus recognized by the Austrian authorities.

Fulfilling Module 2

Instead of the B1 integration exam, Module 2 can also be fulfilled by completing a degree at an Austrian university or university of applied sciences—a foreign degree does not count, even if the course of study was completed in German.

Even if you do not (yet) have a degree but have been enrolled at an Austrian university or university of applied sciences for at least two years and can demonstrate academic success in a subject taught in German (not just a German course!) with at least 32 ECTS credits (16 semester hours), Module 2 of the Integration Agreement is considered fulfilled.

Module 2 of the Integration Agreement is also considered fulfilled if you have attended compulsory schooling in Austria for at least five years (important: you must have passed the subject “German”!). Equivalent to this is a positive grade in the subject “German” at the 9th grade level or a positive assessment in the examination area “German – Communication and Society” as part of the compulsory school leaving examination.

You have also fulfilled Module 2 if you have been taught in German for at least four years at a foreign secondary school and can provide evidence of a positive grade in the subject “German.”

Holders of an EU Blue Card (unlike holders of Red-White-Red Cards) must fulfill Module 1 of the IV after 2 years of uninterrupted residence in Austria. Those affected have usually completed a university degree and therefore have the option of using their university diploma to fulfill Module 1.

Depending on the country in which the university diploma was issued, it may be necessary to have the diploma apostilled so that it is accepted by the Austrian authorities for the fulfillment of Module 1. As a result, many applicants ask themselves why a university degree from abroad was accepted without an apostille when it was first issued, but now an apostille is explicitly required for renewal.

This is because the authority (in this case, the Public Employment Service) checks the proof of education when the permit is first issued. In case of doubt, it requires an apostille for this purpose, but this is not always the case.

When it comes to renewal, the authority (in this case: the settlement authority, e.g., MA35 or a district administration) is concerned with (alternative) proof of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement. The authority usually requires an apostille for this purpose.
 

Why must the Integration Agreement be fulfilled?

• Integration and participation: You should be able to find your way around Austria and participate in social, economic, and cultural life. 

• Legal requirement: Without proof, you may face administrative penalties or your residence permit may not be extended or may only be issued for a short period. 

• Longer validity of the residence permit: Only if the Integration Agreement is fulfilled will an extended residence permit (e.g., Red-White-Red Card Plus) be issued for three years. 

Who is exempt from the Integration Agreement?

• Minors (up to 14 years of age)

• Persons with health restrictions that make language acquisition impossible

• Persons who have a Red-White-Red Card (see also fulfillment of Module 1)

Validity period of certificates

• At the time of application, the A2 integration certificate must not be older than 2 years as proof of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement.

• The B1 integration certificate is valid indefinitely for the fulfillment of Module 2 of the Integration Agreement.

Examples

• Example 1: You have a Red-White-Red Card. After two years, you will receive a Red-White-Red Card Plus, which is issued for three years, provided you can prove that you have been employed for 21 months within 24 months. You do not need to provide additional proof of German language proficiency for this.

• Example 2: You have a degree from an “H+” university according to Anabin and an apostille on this diploma and would like to extend your EU Blue Card after two years. After two years with the EU Blue Card, you will receive a Red-White-Red Card Plus, which is valid for three years.

• Example 3: You have a 3-year-old B1 integration certificate. You can use this to apply for permanent residence in the EU.

• Example 4: You have passed the Matura in Austria – Module 2 is therefore fulfilled and you do not need to take an integration exam.

“German before Immigration” is a basic requirement for being allowed to apply for or to obtain a residence permit (e.g., in the context of family reunification). Level A1 must be demonstrated — a very low standard that only tests basic knowledge (e.g., introducing oneself, answering simple questions).

People applying for a Red-White-Red Card or an EU Blue Card do not need to prove “German before Immigration.” However, German language skills may be necessary in individual cases in order to obtain a job offer or to prove the necessary points in the points system.

Proof of “German before Immigration”

This must be a language certificate (mere confirmation of course attendance is not sufficient!) from one of the following providers:

• ÖSD

• Goethe-Institut

• telc,

• Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)

As a rule, the language certificate must not be older than one year at the time of application.

Alternative evidence

You can also submit a university diploma from a recognized university, which proves that you have the general university entrance qualification to attend an Austrian university. This is possible because proof of completion of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement automatically means that “German before Immigration” is also considered to have been fulfilled. 

Who is exempt from “German before Immigration”?

• Children under the age of 14

• People with severe, permanent health impairments