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, with B2 also for citizenship. At B1, ÖSD offers two exams: the ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 (ZDÖ B1) for people who live in Austria, and the Zertifikat B1 (ZB1), the same exam as the Goethe-Zertifikat B1. On ExamReady you practise the ZDÖ B1, with Austrian German in the listening texts.
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 three B1 exams: the ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 (ZDÖ B1), the ÖIF Integrationsprüfung B1 in the DTÖ format and the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (identical to the ÖSD Zertifikat B1, ZB1), each with its own course, five complete model tests and AI feedback on writing & speaking, and for the ÖIF also the values question catalogue. The ÖSD Zertifikat B2 comes on top. For telc we have no model tests of our own.
What is the difference between the ZDÖ B1 and the ÖSD Zertifikat B1?
Both are ÖSD exams at B1, but with different formats. The ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 (ZDÖ B1) is aimed at people who live in Austria and has two modules: the written exam (Lesen & Sprachbausteine 90 minutes, Hören approx. 30, Schreiben 40 with one email) and the oral exam. The ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1) has four modules, and there Lesen takes 65 minutes, Hören approx. 40 and Schreiben 60 minutes with three tasks. The ZB1 is the same exam as the Goethe-Zertifikat B1. ExamReady trains both: the ZDÖ B1 and, under the name Goethe-Zertifikat B1, the ZB1.
Whichever B1 exam: in the end, the format decides.
Start free, for ÖSD B1 and for ÖIF B1, with instant results: you get 2 keys every day, and each opens a task for good. For ÖSD B1 there is also a course with a lesson for every task.
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