If you live in Switzerland or are moving here, your residence permit may ask you to prove your German. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) accepts several certificates, including telc and fide, with no distinction as long as the required level is reached. How much German you need depends on your permit type, your canton, and your situation, and it is set by the authorities. Confirm the exact level with the office handling your permit, then prepare for a certificate they accept.
Both are accepted, and many people choose telc
Both telc and fide are accepted for permits. Many people choose telc because it is also recognised internationally, so the certificate is useful beyond the application. telc covers A1 to C1; fide covers A1 to B1. For anything above B1, you take telc.
Why you should check first
Permit rules are not the same across every canton or every permit type, and they can change. Rather than guess, confirm the level required for your permit with the authority, and prepare for that exact level. We can explain the exams and get you ready, but the requirement itself sits with the authorities.
How to prepare in Zürich
We are an official telc and fide exam centre in central Zürich, at Löwenstrasse 61, two minutes from the main station, so you can prepare and sit the exam in one place. Register at least 17 days before your chosen date. One-to-one preparation is built around you and comes with a money-back guarantee: if you attend all the lessons we agree, complete your homework, and sit the exam on the agreed day, and you do not pass, we refund your preparation fees.
Common questions
Which certificate do Swiss permits accept for German?
The SEM accepts several, including telc and fide, as long as you reach the required level. Confirm the exact requirement with the authority handling your permit.
How much German do I need?
That depends on your permit type and canton, and it is set by the authorities. Check the exact level with them.
Which certificate should I choose?
Both telc and fide are accepted. Many people choose telc because it is also recognised internationally. telc covers A1 to C1; fide covers A1 to B1.
How far ahead do I register?
At least 17 days before your chosen date, and your place is confirmed once payment has been received.
Ready to prepare? If your permit needs a German certificate, get in touch. Once you know the level, we will prepare you for it at Löwenstrasse 61 in Zürich.