Berufssprachkurs or private German course: a neutral comparison

Berufssprachkurs or private German course: the difference at a glance

A Berufssprachkurs is a government-funded group course run under the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), with a fixed curriculum, an eligibility requirement and a final exam. A private German course is open to anyone and flexible in pace, content and timing, but costs the regular price. The better choice depends on access, timing, budget and career goals.

Both routes have their place, and they are not mutually exclusive. The table below summarises the main differences. Information as of November 2026; the current details published by BAMF always take precedence.

Who can take part in a Berufssprachkurs?

To join a Berufssprachkurs you need an eligibility certificate (Teilnahmeberechtigung). Jobseekers receive it through the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter; employees, trainees and people going through professional recognition apply to BAMF directly. A completed integration course or a certain language level is usually required, depending on the course type.

Target groups

According to the Federal Employment Agency, job-related language courses are aimed at immigrants, EU citizens and Germans with a migration background. Alongside the basic courses with a certificate exam, there are specialist courses, for example for academic medical professions, nursing and care, or people in the recognition process.

What this means for you

• You are looking for work: ask your adviser at the employment agency or Jobcenter directly about a Berufssprachkurs.
• You are employed: you can apply to BAMF for the eligibility certificate yourself. Your employer can support you with this.
• You have just arrived in Germany: check whether an integration course is planned for you first.

A private course has none of these hurdles. You can start immediately, even if you do not formally belong to the target group, for instance as a skilled professional from outside the EU who wants to start learning before moving. You can read more in Learning German as a skilled worker.

Waiting times and course availability: the current situation

Because of budget constraints, the supply of Berufssprachkurse was limited in 2026. According to BAMF, B1, C1, C2 and specialist practice courses may be offered again since 1 October 2026, while B2 and job-specific courses continued. A2 courses and courses for trade and technology or retail are currently not running. Waiting times vary by region.

These details come from the BAMF information page (in German) and can change at short notice. How long you actually wait for a place depends on whether a suitable course goes ahead in your region or online. BAMF does not publish binding figures on waiting times, so it is best to ask course providers directly.

When waiting becomes a problem

• You have a job offer that depends on a particular language level.
• A recognition procedure or probation period is under way.
• You need a level for which no course is currently offered, such as A2.

In situations like these, a private course can bridge the gap. With online German lessons at choices®, you agree the start date with us, and lessons fit around shift patterns or working hours.

How much does a Berufssprachkurs cost, and when do you get money back?

For jobseekers who are referred by the employment agency or Jobcenter, a Berufssprachkurs is free. According to BAMF, employees who are liable to contribute pay €2.56 per teaching unit, which comes to €1,024 for 400 units. If you pass the certificate exam, you can reclaim half of what you paid. Your employer is allowed to cover the contribution.

Exemption for lower earners

Employees are exempt from the contribution if their gross pay does not exceed 33 per cent of the annual contribution ceiling for the statutory pension insurance. For the first and second eligible child, the threshold rises by 10 per cent each. BAMF explains the details.

Refund after passing the exam

The 50 per cent refund is only paid if you apply for it. According to the BAMF application form, you must prove that you passed the certificate exam within two years of the eligibility certificate being issued. Make a note of this deadline early on.

Cost comparison with private lessons

A private course costs more per lesson. In return, you get teaching built around your actual tasks, and usually far fewer people in the room. Our overview Funding for language courses in Germany shows which other funding routes exist.

Group size, pace and flexibility compared

Berufssprachkurse take place in groups whose size depends on the course provider and demand. Times and pace are the same for everyone. Private courses use one-to-one lessons or small groups, fit sessions around your working hours and build the content around your job. If you work shifts or travel a lot, this flexibility makes a real difference.

What a fixed course structure offers

A Berufssprachkurs gives you structure: fixed dates, a curriculum and a clear goal. Many learners find this commitment helpful. Sharing the experience with other participants in a similar situation also has value of its own.

What a private course does differently

• Content: a nurse practises shift handovers, an engineer works on inspection reports, an accountant rehearses phone calls with the tax office (Finanzamt).
• Group size: at choices®, groups ideally have four learners and never more than six. One-to-one lessons are the most effective format.
• Timing: early-morning, evening and weekend lessons are possible.
• Continuity: all our teachers are trained, and if your teacher changes, there is always a structured handover.

We look at whether one-to-one or group lessons suit you better in detail in One-to-one or group course.

Certificate or progress: what counts in the end

Basic Berufssprachkurse end with a certificate exam at the relevant level, which serves as proof of your German. A private course does not automatically lead to a certificate. If you need formal proof, such as a Goethe or telc certificate, the course prepares you specifically for it, and you then sit the exam with an exam provider.

So first find out exactly which proof is expected of you. Employers, recognition authorities and public offices do not all accept every certificate equally. You will find an overview of the most common exams in German language exams at a glance.

A certificate is not the same as confidence at work

Passing a B2 certificate does not automatically mean you can handle customer conversations, team meetings or documentation with confidence. Conversely, some professionals speak fluently in everyday working life but struggle with exam formats. Good preparation combines both: exam practice and the language of your own working day. choices® prepares you for exams but does not run them.

When combining both makes sense

Combining both is worthwhile if you are waiting for a place on a Berufssprachkurs, need specialist language in parallel, or want to work on specific weaknesses once the course is over. The government course provides structure and a certificate, while private lessons add specialist vocabulary, speaking practice and individual correction. Just make sure the workload stays realistic.

Three typical scenarios

1. Bridging: you have an eligibility certificate but no course place yet. A few weeks of private lessons keep your learning going.
2. Supplementing: you attend a Berufssprachkurs and add one private lesson a week to practise conversations from your own job.
3. Following up: after your certificate, you want to write or make phone calls with more confidence. A short private course picks up where the curriculum stopped.

Example

Amira K. (example) works as a nurse in Nuremberg and is waiting for a place on a C1 course. In the meantime, she practises shift handovers and care documentation online. When the Berufssprachkurs starts, she cuts her private lessons down to one every two weeks and uses them for questions from the course.

If your employer wants to support several employees at once, a company programme can be a good option. BAMF also provides information for employers (in German).

Alternatives to a Berufssprachkurs: five questions to help you decide

Whether a private German course is the better alternative to a Berufssprachkurs comes down to five questions. Are you eligible? How urgent is your goal? Do you need a certificate? Do fixed course times fit your job? And who is paying? If several answers point to time pressure or flexibility, a private course often fits better.

If you are interested in private lessons, every course at choices® starts with a needs analysis and a level assessment. You will find all the details on formats and prices on our page Learn German online with choices®.

Sources

1. bamf.de: deutsch beruf
2. bamf.de: deutsch beruf node
3. bamf.de: antrag rueckerstattung kosten
4. arbeitsagentur.de: sprachkurse

Frequently asked questions