There is no one level for everyone. For the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), you need at least German A1 or English B2 to apply. The card works on points. German A2, B1 or B2 adds points. You need 6 points in total. For a normal skilled-worker visa, employers usually want A2 to B1. Some jobs need the government to say yes before you can work in them. For those jobs you need B2 to C1.
German A1 or English B2 is the eligibility gate and scores zero language points. German A2 = 1, B1 = 2, B2+ = 3 points; you need 6 total. The full-recognition route has no language requirement.
No single statutory level; A2 to B1 is typical and employer-set. Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, teachers) need B2 to C1.
Doctors and nurses need recognition plus a profession-specific exam. See the doctors' and nurses' answers.
Goethe, telc, ÖSD, and ECL are accepted for general immigration proof. TestDaF is mainly academic. The qualification-recognition (Anerkennung) check itself does not test German; language is checked separately at the licence-to-practise stage.
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These five are CEFR-aligned and accepted as a class. Which one counts is set by the institution you apply to. Study tests and exams for doctors and nurses are in the goal answers above.
| Exam | Levels | Mainly used for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe-Institut | A1 to C2 | All routes; strong for university (C2) and visas | Most exam centers in India |
| telc | A1 to C2 | Ausbildung, nursing (B1·B2 Pflege), jobs | Slots tend to open more often |
| ÖSD | A1 to C2 | All routes; Austria's official exam | Accepted across routes |
| TestDaF | B2 to C1 (TDN 3-5) | University admission | No A1; not for a spouse visa |
| ECL | A2 to C1 | General immigration / jobs | No A1 or C2; rarely used for university |