According to SEM (State Secretariat for Migration) - January 2026
The European Language Certificates
German/European InstitutionWe prepare for thisGoethe-Zertifikat
German InstitutionWe prepare for thisFIDE Sprachnachweis
Swiss InstitutionSchweizerischer Deutschtest
Swiss InstitutionFull list of recognized certificates at fide-service.ch
Your permit type determines your required level (2026 regulations)
Non-EU citizens need A1 speaking + A1 writing for B permit in German-speaking cantons. EU/EFTA nationals are exempt.
A2 speaking + A1 writing required for standard permanent residence after 10 years.
B1 speaking + A1 writing required for accelerated permanent residence after 5 years.
B1 speaking + A2 writing required. Plus citizenship test. Requirements may vary by canton.
B1/B2 German preferred by most employers in Zurich, Basel, Bern, and other German-speaking regions.
B1/B2 German needed for apprenticeships and vocational training programs in Switzerland.
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TELC, FIDE, Klubschule Migros
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Switzerland German exam requirements - January 2026
According to SEM (State Secretariat for Migration), Switzerland recognizes: TELC, Goethe-Institut, FIDE Test, and SDS (Schweizerischer Deutschtest). The full list is maintained by FIDE at fide-service.ch. DeutschExam prepares you for TELC and Goethe formats, both fully recognized for permits and citizenship.
Non-EU/EFTA citizens need A1 speaking AND A1 writing for B permit in German-speaking cantons (Zurich, Basel, Bern, etc.). EU/EFTA nationals are generally exempt from language requirements. The requirement is defined in AIG Art. 58a. Source: fide-service.ch
Standard C Permit (after 10 years): A2 speaking + A1 writing. Fast-Track C Permit (after 5 years): B1 speaking + A1 writing. The fast-track requires higher integration including language skills. Requirements defined in AIG Art. 34. Check with your cantonal migration office for specific criteria.
Federal requirement: B1 speaking + A2 writing in a national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansch). You also need to pass a citizenship test. Cantonal requirements may be stricter. Defined in BüG Art. 12. Our B1 preparation covers the federal language requirement.
FIDE is the official Swiss integration test tailored to Swiss contexts. TELC and Goethe are internationally recognized and equally accepted for all legal procedures (permits, citizenship). Choose based on availability, exam dates, and format preference. We cover TELC and Goethe - both are fully accepted.
No. All official exams test standard High German (Hochdeutsch), which is the written and formal language. Swiss German dialects are used in daily spoken conversation but are NOT tested in language exams. Our platform teaches Hochdeutsch - the language you need for the exam.
Exemptions may apply if you: speak a Swiss national language as mother tongue, completed 3-5+ years of compulsory schooling in a national language, or completed upper secondary education in a national language. Check with your cantonal migration office for specific exemption criteria.
We provide 100 full mock exams in TELC and Goethe format (both accepted by Swiss authorities), AI-powered feedback, handwriting recognition for writing practice, speaking practice with AI assessment, and 75+ letter templates. Practice 24/7 from anywhere in Switzerland.