DTZ Result: When does it come, what do A2/B1 mean, what's on the certificate?

The evaluation of the Prüfung is centrally handled by g.a.s.t./telc. The time between the Prüfung date and the result notification is usually several weeks – the exact number depends on the Prüfungszentrum and current workload. There are no reliable nationwide timelines; if in doubt, ask your Prüfungszentrum directly.

As soon as the result is available, your Prüfungszentrum will inform you – usually by mail or email. Some centers make the certificates available for pickup, while others send them directly.

The DTZ-Zertifikat shows the achieved level for each of the four skills:

Unlike many school reports, there is no "overall grade" for the DTZ. The certificate shows a profile of your four partial results. This means: You can, for example, achieve B1 in Hören and Lesen, but A2 in Schreiben and Sprechen – and that is exactly what will be on the certificate.

For many official purposes – such as residence permits, Einbürgerung, or proof for an employer – what matters is whether you have reached the required minimum level in all four parts. Which level the responsible authority requires depends on the occasion.

A2 and B1 are levels from the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). They describe what you can do in a language – not how many vocabulary words or rules you know.

If the A2 threshold was not reached in one or more parts, you will not receive a certificate, but a result notification. This is not proof of language proficiency for authorities, but it helps you to assess your level. For official purposes, you will then have to repeat the Prüfung – often a partial Prüfung is possible if you have already reached the target level in other parts.

For Einbürgerung in Germany, B1 is usually required – specifically in all four skills. An A2-Zertifikat or a mixed profile (e.g., Schreiben A2, rest B1) is generally not sufficient for this.

For other residence-related occasions (e.g., permanent residence permit), lower levels may sometimes suffice. Since regulations change and practice varies regionally, you should always check this directly with the authority responsible for you.

Keep the original safe and make copies or scans. For official procedures, certified copies are often required – you can have these made at notaries, some Bürgerämter, or special certification offices. The issuing body of the certificate is g.a.s.t./telc; the Prüfungszentrum is only the distribution point.

Lost certificates can usually be reissued as a duplicate for a fee via the Prüfungszentrum or g.a.s.t./telc. You can clarify the modalities directly with them.

The DTZ-Zertifikat itself does not have an expiration date. However, how "current" proof of language proficiency must be is decided by the body that requests it. Some authorities only accept proof that is no older than one to two years. Here too, the rule is: ask the relevant authority directly.