Learning German is one of the most important investments you can make as an expat in Germany — for your career, your daily life, and your long-term residency prospects. The good news: there are more free or heavily subsidised options than most people realise. Here is your complete overview.
The Integrationskurs: Government-Funded Language Education
The most significant free German course available in Germany is the Integrationskurs, administered by the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). This course combines 600 hours of German language instruction (from A1 to B1 level) with a 100-hour orientation course covering German law, history, and society.
Who is eligible? EU citizens, recognised refugees and asylum seekers, holders of certain residence permits (including the skilled worker visa), and others entitled or obligated to attend. If you hold an EU Blue Card or a work permit, you likely have the right to attend. In some cases attendance is obligatory (this is communicated by the immigration office). The course typically costs €2.25 per hour if you pay in full, but this fee can be waived entirely if you receive certain social benefits. Completion of the Integrationskurs and passing the DTZ or Goethe B1 exam is a key step toward permanent residency and naturalisation.
VHS, Apps, and Online Resources
Volkshochschulen (VHS) are public adult education centres found in virtually every German city and town. They offer German courses at all levels, from absolute beginner to C2, at very low prices — typically €2 to €5 per course hour. Some courses are entirely free for recipients of social benefits or job seekers. Check your local VHS website for current offerings.
Deutsche Welle (dw.com/en/learn-german) offers completely free, high-quality German learning materials online. Their courses cover A1 to B2 level and include audio, video, and interactive exercises. The Deutsch Warum Nicht? audio drama series (A1-B1) and the Nicos Weg video course (A1-B1) are particularly popular among expats and are genuinely excellent.
For self-study and vocabulary building, apps like Duolingo (free, good for beginners), Babbel (subscription, more structured), Anki (free, excellent for vocabulary flashcards), and the Schubert-Verlag exercises (free at schubert-verlag.de) are widely used by expats at various levels.
Tandem Partners and Advanced Learning
Language tandem is one of the most effective — and completely free — ways to improve your conversational German. Find a native German speaker who wants to learn your language, and meet weekly to practice both. Tandem partners can be found via Tandem app, italki (the community feature), local Facebook expat groups, or university language centres.
Once you reach B1-B2 level, complement your learning with German-language media: podcasts (Slow German mit Annik Rubens for learners, or regular German news podcasts for advanced), German-language Netflix series (Dark, How to Sell Drugs Online Fast), and German newspapers (read Nachrichtenleicht for simplified news).
Whether you are just starting your German learning journey or preparing for a specific exam, Sylum can help you choose the right course and connect you with the best resources for your situation. Contact us at sylum.de/contact.
