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Integrationsvereinbarung

The integration agreement: Integrationsvereinbarung

An obligation for many third-country nationals with a residence permit: prove your German and knowledge of Austrian values. Module 1 (A2) must be met within two years; Module 2 (B1) is a condition for Daueraufenthalt – EU and citizenship.

Module 1
German A2 + basic knowledge of values
Module 1 deadline
2 years from the first permit; can be extended by up to 12 months on application
Module 2
German B1 + in-depth knowledge; no general deadline
Fine
Up to €500 for not meeting Module 1 through your own fault (§ 23 IntG)
Does not apply to
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, refugees, subsidiary protection, displaced persons from Ukraine

Step by step

  1. Check whether the duty applies to you: Modul 1 arises with the first issue of e.g. a Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus, a Niederlassungsbewilligung or a Familienangehöriger title. The Niederlassungsbehörde determines this.
  2. Note the deadline: Module 1 must be met within two years of the first permit. For holders of a Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte, Module 1 counts as fulfilled by law.
  3. If you are a family member taking an integration course, ask the Niederlassungsbehörde for the Bundesgutschein: it refunds 50% of the course cost, up to €750, if you attend at least 75% of lessons and pass the exam within 18 months of receiving the permit.
  4. Pass the ÖIF Integrationsprüfung (A2 for Module 1, B1 for Module 2) or submit another recognised proof (see documents).
  5. If personal circumstances make you late, apply in advance for an extension (Verlängerung der Frist) — up to 12 months.
  6. Before applying for Daueraufenthalt – EU or citizenship, meet Modul 2: fulfilling Module 2 automatically fulfils Module 1 too.

What to bring

  • For Module 1: ÖIF Zeugnis zur Integrationsprüfung at A2 or higher, or a school-leaving certificate giving university entrance, or a berufsbildende mittlere Schule diploma
  • For Module 2: ÖIF certificate at B1 or higher, Lehrabschlussprüfung or Facharbeiterprüfung
  • Also for Module 2: 5 years of compulsory school in Austria with a positive German grade, or 2 years of university study in German (at least 32 ECTS or 16 semester hours)
  • For a health exemption: amtsärztliches Gutachten — a report from an official doctor

Common mistakes

Assuming it applies if you came from Ukraine: displaced persons (Vertriebene) from Ukraine are not covered by the Integrationsvereinbarung — but check again if you switch to a regular residence permit.

Missing the two-year Module 1 deadline without applying for an extension: this can be fined up to €500.

Submitting an old certificate when renewing your permit: the ÖIF Zeugnis must be no more than two years old.

Putting off Module 2. There are no sanctions for skipping it, but without it you cannot get Daueraufenthalt – EU or citizenship.

Words you will meet

die Integrationsvereinbarungintegration agreement
der Aufenthaltstitelresidence permit
die Niederlassungsbehörderesidence authority
der Daueraufenthalt – EUlong-term residence EU
die Fristdeadline

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.