Integration Agreement before 30 June 2011

Persons, who settled in Austria before 30 June 2011, have to meet the following requirements. (Please note that the requirements of the Integration Agreement have to be met by 30 June 2013 at the latest in any case even if the previously agreed period was longer).

Obligation to attend German and integration courses

The primary aim of the Integration Agreement is the acquisition of German language skills. Persons, who hold a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) have to meet the requirements of the Integration Agreement by 30 June 2013 at the latest.

Exceptions

  • Persons, who submit a written declaration that they do not intend to stay in Austria for more than twelve months within the course of two years. Please note that you cannot file an application for extension in Austria in this case.
  • Children up to the age of nine years
  • Elderly and ill persons
  • The aforementioned regulations do not apply if the Integration Agreement (as defined in the 1997 Aliens Act (Fremdengesetz 1997) was already fulfilled by 1 January 2006 or if you are exempt from the regulations. The new regulations under the Austrian Law on Residence and Settlement (NAG) do not apply if you started attending courses before 1 January 2006 to meet the requirements of the Integration Agreement, and finished the courses by 31 December 2006 at the latest.

The Integration Agreement covers two modules: One module focuses on reading and writing skills. The participants of the second module acquire German language skills. The aim is to enable the participants of the modules to read simple texts and to make themselves understood in German.

Module

Module 1 - literacy course

  • Content: reading and writing
  • Duration: 75 hours
  • Proof: It is sufficient to prove that you can read and write by submitting a school certificate – also from your country of origin.

Module 2 - German and integration course

  • Content: German language skills and the ability to participate in the social, economic and cultural life in Austria
  • Duration: 300 hours
  • Proof: Module 2 can be fulfilled in the following ways:
    • Successful conclusion of a German and integration course at a school certified by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF): 68 KB PDF • 2 MB RTF
    • At least five years of compulsory education in Austria and a positive grade/mark in "German" or a positive grade/mark in "German" equal to class 9 in Austria
    • Positive grade/mark in "German" at a school abroad (equal to class 9 in Austria)
    • Proof of sufficient German language skills (e.g. an ÖSD examination certificate at CEFR level A2)
      ÖSD examination centres: 54 KB PDF • 2 MB RTF
    • School leaving certificate including the general university entrance standards (Universitätsreife) or school leaving certificate of a VET school (berufsbildende mittlere Schule)
    • Apprenticeship certificate exam (Lehrabschlussprüfung) in accordance with the Vocational Training Act (Berufsausbildungsgesetz)
    • Persons holding an indefinite leave to remain for key employees (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Schlüsselkraft) or persons who are "executives with special status" (besondere Führungskraft) in accordance with Art. 2 (5a) of the Employment of Foreign Nationals Act (AuslBG) and their family members

Further information

Contact for this page:
Public Relations (Municipal Department 35)
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