Home · Life in Austria
Deutschkurs

Free German courses in Vienna

Refugees, people with subsidiary protection and Ukrainians with displaced-person status can learn German for free through the ÖIF. For jobseekers the AMS pays for courses, and the city offers "Mama lernt Deutsch!" for women.

Who (ÖIF)
Refugees, subsidiary protection holders and displaced persons from Ukraine — aged 15+
Cost
ÖIF courses and exams are free for those eligible
Levels
From literacy (Alphabetisierung) up to C1
ÖIF hotline
050 46 80, Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00

Step by step

  1. Call the ÖIF hotline 050 46 80 and book an Integrationsberatung at the Vienna Integrationszentrum (Landstraßer Hauptstraße 26, 1030 Wien).
  2. On the day of the consultation you take a digital placement test — the Einstufung. Based on it you are booked into a suitable course; work and childcare are taken into account.
  3. You receive a Terminkarte from the ÖIF. The booking is binding: on the first day come to the language school with your ID and this card.
  4. If you are unemployed and registered with the AMS, ask your adviser about a course. The AMS can cover the Kurskosten; contact them before the course starts.
  5. Women can join the free Mama lernt Deutsch! courses with childcare — register directly with a course provider (e.g. VHS, Interface Wien).

What to bring

  • Proof of identity: asylum holder's card, passport or ID card
  • ÖIF Terminkarte or confirmation of your course booking
  • For Ukrainians at the AMS: the Ausweis für Vertriebene is essential
  • For the AMS, if possible: the completed Kompetenzerhebungsbogen

Common mistakes

Skipping the first day without an excuse — you will be deregistered from the course.

Absences without proof. You must attend at least 80% of lessons; sick days count as excused only with a doctor's note.

Dropping out without a reason. The ÖIF will then only fund the next level, and recipients of Sozialhilfe may have their benefits cut.

Signing up before talking to the AMS — without agreement before the course starts, the AMS will not pay.

Words you will meet

der DeutschkursGerman course
die Einstufungplacement test
die Kinderbetreuungchildcare
die Anwesenheitattendance
abmeldento deregister / cancel

Official sources

Checked: 2026-10-07. This is a plain-language summary of official information, not legal advice. Deadlines and amounts change — check the linked official sources before you go.