The general integration course consists of 700 lessons. It is intended to bring participants to CEFR level B1 in German in 600 lessons, and to provide an understanding of the law, culture and history of Germany in 100 lessons. German is taught through topics related to daily life such as work, home, health or public authorities.
The general integration course is intended for foreigners who live permanently in Germany (especially including asylum seekers with good prospects of staying), for citizens of the EU and for German nationals who do not speak sufficient German.
The 100 lessons devoted to orientation deal with topics such as politics in a democracy, history and responsibility, and people and society.
The general integration course ends with two graded final examinations, ‘German test for immigrants’ (DTZ) and ‘Life in Germany’ (LiD).
The integration course is paid for by the state out of the national budget. Course participants must contribute 2.29 euros per lesson (this means 229.00 € per module).
Course participants can apply for exemption from the fee. The application must be submitted to the local regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The application should include proof of financial need.
Once participants have successfully completed the general integration course and the final examinations (the language test ‘German test for immigrants’ and the test ‘Life in Germany’) they receive the ‘Integration Course Certificate’ from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). If participants are unsuccessful, they receive a certificate showing their results in the final examinations.