How much does a German exam cost? Official 2026 fees (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL)
The price of a German exam varies from single to triple depending on centre, country and level. Before you register, you need to know the official price, hidden costs (file, translation, postal return) and total budget to plan (preparation included). This guide compares the 5 major exams (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL) for all levels A1 to C2, with the real 2026 bills and tips to save 30 to 50%.
- Price: €90 (A1) to €320 (C2) depending on centre and country.
- TELC = -20 to -40% vs. Goethe at equivalent level.
- Hidden costs: +€50 to +€200 (file, translation, shipping).
- Self-study preparation budget: €0-50 vs. classes €200-800.
- Modular: retake one module (€45-90) rather than everything.
1. Price comparison of the 5 German exams (all levels)
5 major exams cover the global German certification market: Goethe-Zertifikat (Germany), TELC Deutsch (Germany), ÖSD (Austria), TestDaF (German universities), ECL (Hungary + Central Europe). Here are the 2026 official price ranges.
| Level | Goethe | TELC | ÖSD | TestDaF | ECL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | €90-140 | €80-120 | €100-140 | — | €75-100 |
| A2 | €110-160 | €90-140 | €110-160 | — | €85-120 |
| B1 | €160-230 | €130-180 | €150-200 | — | €110-150 |
| B2 | €190-260 | €150-200 | €180-220 | €195 | €130-170 |
| C1 | €220-280 | €170-220 | €200-250 | €195 | €150-190 |
| C2 | €250-320 | — | €230-280 | — | €170-210 |
Low end = country of origin (Germany, Austria, Hungary) or approved partner centres. High end = Goethe-Institut in premium urban centre (Paris, London, New York, Dubai). In Africa and Southeast Asia, prices are quoted in local currency; converted to euros, they usually fall in the mid-range.
2. Goethe-Zertifikat — 2026 fees per level
The Goethe-Institut is the official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its fees are set per country and centre. Here's the 2026 global average:
| Level | Full exam | Isolated module (retake) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit in Deutsch 1 (A1 teen) | €90-120 | — | ~1h |
| Zertifikat A1 (adults) | €110-140 | — | ~1h15 |
| Zertifikat A2 | €120-160 | — | ~1h30 |
| Zertifikat B1 | €170-230 | €45-70 | ~3h |
| Zertifikat B2 | €200-260 | €55-80 | ~3h30 |
| Zertifikat C1 | €230-280 | €65-90 | ~4h |
| Zertifikat C2 GDS | €260-320 | €70-100 | ~3h30 + 15 min |
Goethe is modular from B1 upwards (since 2020). If you fail one module, you can retake it within 12 months for €45-90 instead of paying everything again.
3. TELC Deutsch — 2026 fees per level
TELC (The European Language Certificates), based in Frankfurt, is recognized by the BAMF, several German universities, and many employers. Fees are set by partner centres (language schools, Volkshochschulen).
| Level | Full exam | Isolated module | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TELC A1 | €80-120 | — | Non-modular |
| TELC A2 | €90-140 | — | Also "Start Deutsch" version |
| TELC B1 | €130-180 | — | Often cheapest for naturalization |
| TELC B1+B2 "Beruf" | €140-190 | — | Professional version |
| TELC B2 | €150-200 | €60-90 | Modular since 2019 |
| TELC C1 Hochschule | €170-220 | €60-90 | Alternative to TestDaF/DSH |
| TELC B2-C1 Medizin | €200-260 | — | For foreign doctors in Germany |
4. ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom) — 2026 fees
ÖSD is the official Austrian certificate, recognized as equivalent to Goethe throughout the EU. Useful if you're targeting Austria (studies, work, immigration) or prefer the Austrian variant of German.
| Level | Austria price | International price |
|---|---|---|
| KID A1 (children) | €90 | €100-130 |
| ÖSD A1 | €110 | €120-160 |
| ÖSD A2 | €120 | €130-180 |
| ÖSD B1 "Zertifikat Deutsch" | €150 | €170-220 |
| ÖSD B2 | €180 | €200-260 |
| ÖSD C1 | €200 | €220-280 |
| ÖSD C2 "Wirtschaftssprache" | €230 | €250-320 |
5. TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) — €195
TestDaF is the German university entrance exam. Flat price: €195 (paper) or €175 (digital TestDaF) in German centres. Internationally, between €190 and €260 depending on country.
There are no levels — TestDaF evaluates your answers on a TDN 3 to TDN 5 scale (equivalent B2.1 to C1.2 CEFR). Most universities require TDN 4 in all 4 modules.
Avoid paying €200 again: prepare seriously first
The Deutsch Exam app lets you prepare all modules (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen) with AI feedback according to the official criteria of each exam (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL). Take unlimited mock tests and sit your exam only once. 100% free to download.
6. ECL Deutsch — 2026 fees
ECL (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages), coordinated by the University of Pécs (Hungary), offers a European certification recognized in several Central and Eastern European countries. Among the lowest prices.
| Level | Central Europe price | International price |
|---|---|---|
| ECL A1 | €60-80 | €75-100 |
| ECL A2 | €70-100 | €85-120 |
| ECL B1 | €90-130 | €110-150 |
| ECL B2 | €110-150 | €130-170 |
| ECL C1 | €130-170 | €150-190 |
| ECL C2 | €150-190 | €170-210 |
7. The 5 hidden costs to plan (+€50 to +€200)
| Item | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File / registration fees | €5-30 | Often included in the displayed price, but not always |
| Certified diploma translation | €30-80 / page | Required by some universities and embassies |
| International postal return of certificate | €10-50 | On-site pickup = free |
| Replacement certificate (loss) | €30-80 | Careful not to lose the original |
| Travel / accommodation | €0-200 | If distant centre + overnight stay |
| Exceptional / early session | +€20-40 | Outside regular sessions |
| Currency exchange fees | 1-3% | Euro payment from another zone |
Plan between +€50 (simple case) and +€200 (complex case) on top of the displayed exam price. The heaviest item is often certified translation if you sit in Africa/Asia and present the diploma in Europe.
8. Preparation budget — classical classes vs. self-study
| Approach | Cost / month | Typical duration | Total budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native private tutor (2h/week) | €120-320 | 4-6 months | €500-2000 |
| Group classes (institute) | €80-200 | 4-6 months | €320-1200 |
| Live online classes (Preply, italki) | €60-180 | 4-6 months | €240-1100 |
| Paper textbooks + workbooks | — | One-time purchase | €60-150 |
| Mobile apps (Duolingo, etc.) | €0-15 | 4-6 months | €0-90 |
| AI tutor + specialized exam app | €0-10 | 4-6 months | €0-60 |
100% self-study preparation is perfectly viable for 90% of candidates, provided you have a structured method (official Modellsätze + AI tutor + feedback on written/spoken productions). Total budget: €0 to €100 vs. €500 to €2000 for classical classes.
9. The 6 tips to save 30 to 50%
- Sit in Germany, Austria or Hungary rather than at an international centre (savings 20-30%). Can be combined with a tourist trip.
- Choose TELC over Goethe when your goal doesn't explicitly require it (savings 20-40%). TELC is accepted for naturalization, BAMF, many universities.
- Retake ONLY the failed module (modular exams since 2020): €45-90 vs. €200 for everything (savings 55-77%).
- Self-study via app + free Modellsätze rather than institute classes (savings €300-1500). Use our free Goethe B1 Modellsatz guide as a model.
- Pick up the certificate on-site rather than postal return (savings €10-50).
- Register early (2-3 months in advance) to avoid last-minute fees and secure a session in your city.
To go further, check our comparison guides TELC B2 vs Goethe B2, Lesen B2 method, Schreiben B2 structure, Hören B2 the 3 traps and Sprechen B2 method.
Sources and references
- Goethe-Institut — official exams page
- TELC — exam catalog
- ÖSD — Österreichisches Sprachdiplom
- TestDaF Institut — official page
- ECL — European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages
Last verified: July 27, 2026. Official prices are set locally by each centre — check the website of the centre where you'll sit the exam for the exact fee.