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ÖIF exams

Information for immigrants

learn German

ÖIF exams

Information for immigrants

Do you want to prove your German language skills with an exam? The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers German language and integration exams at various language levels. The exams take place at over 500 locations throughout Austria.

After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate. This certificate can be important, for example, for a residence permit, Austrian citizenship, employment, or vocational training.

Who can take an exam?

Anyone can take an ÖIF exam. You do not need to be enrolled in a subsidized ÖIF German course to take the exam.

For certain legally defined groups of people, the costs of the examination can be subsidized. These include:

  • Refugees
  • beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
  • Displaced persons from Ukraine

How do I register for an exam?

The registration process varies. It depends on whether your exam is eligible for funding.

Subsidized exam: If you are attending a subsidized ÖIF German course, your course provider will register you for the exam. If you only need a subsidized exam, contact an ÖIF integration center.

Non-funded exam: Register directly with an examination institute for the exam.

What exams are there?

The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers exams at language levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1. These include German language exams and integration exams.

German exams

A German language exam tests four areas:

  • Hear
  • To read
  • Write
  • Speak

The tasks come from everyday life, work, or education.

After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate. This allows you to demonstrate the language level you have achieved.

Integration exams

During an integration test, your German language skills will be tested in four areas:

  • Hear
  • To read
  • Write
  • Speak

Additionally, you will answer questions about values and orientation in Austria. This involves life and important rules in Austria.

An integration test may be necessary for certain residence permits or for Austrian citizenship.

Further information on the ÖIF exams

Examination formats

Which exam do you need? Here you will find information about the different ÖIF exams and language levels.

Exam dates

When and where can you take an exam? Here you will find exam locations and dates throughout Austria.

Examination regulations and rules

What do you need to know about the exam? Here you will find information about the procedure, important rules, and your certificate.

Preparation for the exam

Would you like to practice for your ÖIF exam? The ÖIF offers free online courses and exercises for various language levels to help you prepare for the exam.

Frequently asked questions about the ÖIF exams

That depends on what you need the certificate for. For example, for a residence permit, Austrian citizenship, a job, or vocational training.

Before registering, find out which exam and language level you need. The relevant authority can tell you what proof you require.

That depends on whether your exam is funded.

Non-subsidized exam: Register directly with an examination center. You will also arrange your exam date there. See exam dates.

Subsidized exam: If you are attending a subsidized ÖIF German course, you do not need to register yourself. Your course provider will register you for the exam.

If you only need one subsidized exam, contact an ÖIF integration center.

You will receive your results by email no later than 15 working days after the exam. Results cannot be given over the phone.


If you have any questions, please write to: pruefungen@integrationsfonds.at

Write an email to: pruefungen@integrationsfonds.at


Please send this information with you:

  • First name and last name
  • birth date
  • Date of the exam
  • Language level of the exam
  • Copy of valid proof of identity

The ÖIF language portal offers free preparation resources. These include, for example:

  • Online courses
  • Exercises
  • Practice tests
  • Model tests
  • Learning videos and listening exercises

To the ÖIF language portal

The ÖIF language portal allows you to practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking in a targeted way. Practice German regularly in everyday life as well. For example:

  • Read short texts
  • Listen to news or podcasts
  • write short emails or notes
  • Speak German as often as possible

This way you can improve step by step.

Learning tips

Yes. You can view your written exam. You must request this within 3 months of receiving your results.

The review will last a maximum of 15 minutes. You may not copy or photograph the documents. The review usually takes place online.

Schedule an appointment to review the exam

The partial performance certificate shows that you have passed the oral part at language level A2.

However, this does not mean that you have passed the entire integration exam. You must pass all the necessary parts of the exam.

You can use the certificate, for example, when applying for a job to demonstrate your spoken German skills.

Further information and offers