ÖSD, Goethe, telc or ÖIF: which B1 exam do you need?
The right exam depends on your goal, residence, citizenship, university or work. Here is the overview for Austria (as of June 2026).
What matters is what you need the certificate for.
Residence permit (Integration Agreement, Module 2)
A pure language certificate is not enough here. You need the Integration Exam B1, language plus values and orientation knowledge. Since June 2021 this exam is run exclusively by the ÖIF; older ÖSD integration exams (taken by 31 May 2021) still count. The B1 task formats are similar to the ÖSD formats.
Austrian citizenship
At B1 level the current route is the ÖIF Integration Exam B1 (language + values). Alternative: with a B2 certificate from a recognised institute (ÖIF, ÖSD, Goethe, telc) the values proof is waived. Your authority's information is always binding.
University, work or a general proof
Here ÖSD, Goethe and telc at B1 are largely equivalent. In Austria, ÖSD is the most widespread, with exam centres in every federal state and Austrian standard German in the listening texts.
Four names, four different roles.
ÖSD, Austrian Language Diploma
The Austrian standard for language certificates: Zertifikat B1 for university, work and as a general proof, with B2 also for citizenship. Listening texts in Austrian German, exactly the format you practise on ExamReady.
ÖIF, Austrian Integration Fund
Since June 2021 the only body running the integration exams (language + values) that count for residence and citizenship. The B1 task formats are similar to the ÖSD formats.
Goethe-Institut
Strong international recognition, but fewer exam dates in Austria. For Module 2 of the Integration Agreement the pure Goethe certificate is not sufficient, it has no values part.
telc
The standard in Germany, offered less often in Austria. Same logic: without a values part it does not work for Module 2, but it is equivalent as a language proof for work or university.
As of June 2026, without guarantee, ÖIF, exam centres and authorities are binding. Exam fees are usually €130–190 depending on the centre.
Why most people in Austria choose ÖSD
For work, university and the B2 route to citizenship, ÖSD is the Austrian standard, the densest network of centres, monthly dates, Austrian German. And if you need the ÖIF integration exam for residence, the same training pays off: the B1 formats of both exams are built similarly.
B1 exams compared
Is a normal ÖSD or Goethe certificate enough for the residence permit?
No. For Module 2 of the Integration Agreement you need the Integration Exam B1 with a values part, which since June 2021 is run exclusively by the ÖIF. A pure language certificate (ÖSD, Goethe, telc) is not sufficient; ÖSD integration exams only count if taken by 31 May 2021.
Who runs the Integration Exam B1?
Since June 2021, exclusively the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). The exam combines the B1 language part with questions on values and orientation knowledge. ÖSD integration exams taken between 2018 and May 2021 remain valid.
Which exam do I need for citizenship?
At B1 level, currently the ÖIF Integration Exam B1. With a B2 certificate from ÖIF, ÖSD, Goethe or telc the values proof is waived. The binding answer comes from your citizenship authority.
Are the exams equally difficult?
The level is the same (CEFR B1), but the task formats differ considerably. Many people fail not because of their German but because of the unfamiliar format, so practise exactly the format you will take.
Does ExamReady prepare for all of these exams?
ExamReady trains both formats: the ÖSD B1 format for the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 and the ÖIF format (DTÖ) for the Integrationsprüfung B1, each with five complete model sets and AI feedback on writing & speaking, and for the ÖIF also the values question catalogue. Just pick your exam and practise its exact format.
Whichever B1 exam: in the end, the format decides.
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