Learning German in Türkiye
German is the step that decides how fast every other step goes. Start before you have chosen a route.
Where
- Goethe-Institut in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir (named in the Embassy study leaflet).
- The DAAD Information Centre in Istanbul advises on studying in Germany.
- German departments of Turkish universities and private language schools. Their own certificates do not count for the visa; only the exams below do.
- Course and exam prices in Türkiye were not checked for this site. Look up the current price list of the exam centre before you book.
Which certificates count
- The German missions accept certificates from ALTE-standardised tests: Goethe, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF (from B2), ECL, DSD/KMK.
- Check the mission's leaflet for your route: some ask for a recent certificate.
Level by route
| Route | German |
|---|---|
| Degree studies taught in German | usually C1 (TestDaF, DSH) |
| Studienkolleg | about B2 |
| Ausbildung | B1 for qualified training, otherwise usually at least A2 |
| Opportunity Card | A1 German or B2 English |
| Skilled worker | often B1 to B2, depending on profession and employer; Blue Card: none by law |
| Nursing (recognition route) | B1, B2 for the licence |
| Spouse joining a partner | usually A1, with exceptions – see Association law |
Continuing in Berlin
Once you are here, vocational language courses (Berufssprachkurse) run through BAMF take you from B1 to B2 and higher, and the Berlin Volkshochschulen are the cheapest general option. See After arrival in Berlin.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.