You can survive the first months in English. But every part of German life — housing, jobs, friendships, dealing with the Amt — gets easier with each level of German.

Your options:

University language centre (students): heavily discounted or free semester courses; often the best deal available. Register early — they fill up.
Volkshochschule (VHS): every city has one; evening courses at fair prices (€100–250/level). The classic choice for workers.
Integration courses (Integrationskurse): state-subsidised intensive courses (600 hours to B1). Depending on your residence status you may be entitled to join at a reduced rate per lesson — ask at the VHS or check with BAMF whether you qualify. Some permits even require participation.
Apps (Duolingo, Babbel, Seedlang) keep momentum between courses but don't replace one.

Realistic pace: one level (A1→A2→B1...) per semester of evening classes, faster with intensive courses — a level takes roughly 150–200 hours of instruction. B1 is the magic level — it unlocks permanent residence eligibility later, most everyday conversations, and a completely different relationship with the country.

Red flags:

Certificates only count when the exam is recognised: Goethe, telc, TestDaF, DSH, ÖSD. A "certificate of attendance" from a random school proves nothing to the Ausländerbehörde or an employer.
Paying full private-course prices without checking your Integrationskurs entitlement — many permit holders qualify for the subsidised rate, a fraction of market price.
Schools selling "B2 in 8 weeks" to beginners — miracle timelines produce paid-for failure, not B2.
Letting the streak app replace a course. Apps maintain vocabulary; they don't build the German that gets you through a rental viewing or a doctor's appointment.

You can survive the first months in English. But every part of German life — housing, jobs, friendships, dealing with the Amt — gets easier with each level of German.

Your options:

University language centre (students): heavily discounted or free semester courses; often the best deal available. Register early — they fill up.
Volkshochschule (VHS): every city has one; evening courses at fair prices (€100–250/level). The classic choice for workers.
Integration courses (Integrationskurse): state-subsidised intensive courses (600 hours to B1). Depending on your residence status you may be entitled to join at a reduced rate per lesson — ask at the VHS or check with BAMF whether you qualify. Some permits even require participation.
Apps (Duolingo, Babbel, Seedlang) keep momentum between courses but don't replace one.

Red flags:

Certificates only count when the exam is recognised: Goethe, telc, TestDaF, DSH, ÖSD. A "certificate of attendance" from a random school proves nothing to the Ausländerbehörde or an employer.
Paying full private-course prices without checking your Integrationskurs entitlement — many permit holders qualify for the subsidised rate, a fraction of market price.
Schools selling "B2 in 8 weeks" to beginners — miracle timelines produce paid-for failure, not B2.
Letting the streak app replace a course. Apps maintain vocabulary; they don't build the German that gets you through a rental viewing or a doctor's appointment.

Start a German course

Start a German course