Integration proof in NAG proceedings: when modules and certificates matter: requirements, evidence and next steps in NAG proceedings.
The Integration Agreement under section 7 IntG consists of two building blocks. Module 1 requires German at CEFR level A2, Module 2 at CEFR level B1. Which module has to be evidenced in which proceeding decides the shape of the file and the timetable between the first application and the renewal.
Under section 9(1) IntG the obligation to fulfil Module 1 arises with the first grant of a residence title listed in section 8(1) numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 NAG. Section 9(2) IntG sets a fulfilment period of two years from that first grant. An extension is granted on application by decision and each extension lasts at most 12 months.
For EU long-term residence under section 45 NAG, section 10(1) IntG requires Module 2 to be fulfilled already at the time of application. The language requirement rises to B1. Anyone who fulfils Module 2 fulfils Module 1 as well.
For renewal under section 24 NAG a fine timing rule applies. Section 9(7) IntG provides that the evidence of a passed OeIF integration examination must not be older than two years at the time of submission in the renewal procedure. Anyone relying on an older certificate should check this rule early.
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Plan the preparatory course and the examination date early. The certificate of the OeIF integration examination under section 11 IntG evidences Module 1. Keep the two-year period of section 9(2) IntG in view and secure the examination date well before the deadline.
Section 9(5) IntG lists three exceptions: legal minority at the end of the period, unreasonableness on grounds of physical or psychological health confirmed by an official medical report and a written declaration that the stay will not exceed 24 months within three years, combined with an irrevocable waiver of any further extension application. Clarify the applicability before relying on this route.
Under section 9(7) IntG the evidence under section 9(4) no. 1 IntG must not be older than two years at the time of submission. If that is met, the renewal under section 24 NAG can be supported with the certificate. If Module 1 is fulfilled and the person has been continuously and lawfully settled during the last two years, section 20(1a) NAG can open a three-year card.
If the evidence under section 9(4) no. 1 IntG is older than two years at the time of submission, section 9(7) IntG applies. It has to be examined whether a fresh examination is sensible or whether an alternative evidence route under section 9(4) IntG (such as general university entrance qualification, completion of a berufsbildende mittlere Schule or the Red-White-Red Card under section 41(1) or (2) NAG) can be used.
Section 10(1) IntG requires Module 2 already at the time of application for EU long-term residence under section 45 NAG. The OeIF B1 certificate under section 12 IntG is the standard path. As alternatives, section 10(2) IntG allows evidence such as compulsory school completion with a five-year school attendance in Austria or an apprenticeship-leaving examination under the BAG.
Under section 9(4) no. 4 IntG, Module 1 is fulfilled inter alia by holders of the Red-White-Red Card under section 41(1) or (2) NAG. Section 9(4) no. 5 IntG covers holders of the settlement permit for artists under section 43a NAG if an artistic activity is carried out in one of the artistic branches of section 2(1) nos. 1 to 3 KFG. The assessment relates to the title and the actual activity.
Under section 7 IntG the Integration Agreement consists of two modules. Module 1 aims at German skills at CEFR level A2 and is evidenced under section 11 IntG by a nationwide standardised integration examination of the Austrian Integration Fund (OeIF). The examination covers language and civic content and is assessed as passed or not passed.
Module 2 requires CEFR level B1 under section 12 IntG. The examination is again held by the OeIF and is a condition for EU long-term residence under section 45 NAG. Section 9(4) IntG expressly provides that fulfilling Module 2 also fulfils Module 1.
The distinction has practical consequences. Anyone who evidences B1 does not need a separate Module 1 certificate. The glossary entry on Module 1 and the glossary entry on Module 2 order the terminology.
Section 9(1) IntG links the fulfilment obligation to the first grant of a residence title under section 8(1) numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 NAG. Not every residence title triggers the obligation; the applicable numbers are listed exhaustively in the statute.
Under section 9(2) IntG, Module 1 must be fulfilled within two years of the first grant. The deadline can be extended on application by decision. Each extension lasts at most 12 months.
Section 9(3) IntG regulates the crediting of fulfilment time already consumed. Once the last qualifying title expires, fulfilment time consumed within the preceding five years is credited to a new fulfilment procedure. The article on German language proof at the first application deepens the starting situation.
Alongside the OeIF integration examination under section 11 IntG (section 9(4) no. 1) the statute recognises further fulfilment routes. Section 9(4) no. 3 covers the general university entrance qualification within the meaning of the Universities Act as well as successful completion of a berufsbildende mittlere Schule (vocational middle school). The educational certificate takes on the evidence role in these cases.
Section 9(4) no. 4 IntG covers holders of the Red-White-Red Card under section 41(1) or (2) NAG. Access to the Red-White-Red Card, for example for very highly qualified persons or shortage occupation workers, thus comes with its own evidence route for Module 1.
Section 9(4) no. 5 IntG covers holders of the settlement permit for artists under section 43a NAG where an artistic activity is carried out in one of the artistic branches under section 2(1) nos. 1 to 3 KFG. The actual artistic activity is part of the evidence. Section 9(4) IntG expressly notes that fulfilling Module 2 covers Module 1 as well.
Section 9(5) IntG lists three exceptions to the Module 1 obligation. First: persons who are legally minors at the end of the period. Second: persons for whom fulfilment cannot be expected on grounds of physical or psychological health. Evidence is typically given by an official medical report.
Third: persons who declare in writing that their stay in the federal territory will not exceed 24 months within three years. This declaration is combined with an irrevocable waiver of any further extension application. The waiver has consequences for further residence planning; the declaration should therefore be made deliberately.
The exception relieves the person from Module 1 but does not affect the other requirements of the title. The concrete assessment is case-specific and should be well documented.
For the renewal application under section 24 NAG, section 9(7) IntG sets a currency limit. The evidence under section 9(4) no. 1 IntG (or under section 9(4) in conjunction with section 10(2) no. 1 IntG) must not be older than two years at the time of submission in the renewal proceeding. Older certificates do not carry the evidence on this point.
Applicants who have fulfilled Module 1 and who have been continuously and lawfully settled during the last two years can benefit from section 20(1a) NAG. Titles under section 8(1) numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 NAG are then to be issued for three years. Without these conditions, the general twelve-month rule in section 20(1) NAG applies unless the NAG provides a title-specific longer validity period or another statutory limitation.
For renewal, section 24 NAG applies; the application is to be filed before expiry, at the earliest three months before. In practice this means that certificate, title chronology and registration data should be bundled early.
Section 45(1) NAG requires the fulfilment of Module 2 of the Integration Agreement for EU long-term residence. Section 10(1) IntG makes clear that Module 2 must already be fulfilled at the time of the application. Anyone who sits the examination only after the application is lodged does not cover that moment.
The standard path is the OeIF examination under section 12 IntG at CEFR level B1. Section 10(2) IntG opens alternatives. These include: evidence issued by the OeIF under section 12 (no. 1); primary school attendance while a minor (no. 3); a positive German grade at secondary school as a minor (no. 4); at least five years of compulsory school attendance in Austria with a positive German grade or the ninth school stage or the compulsory school leaving examination (no. 5); four years of German as a subject at a foreign secondary school (no. 6); an apprenticeship-leaving examination under the BAG or a skilled worker examination (no. 7); two years at a post-secondary educational institution with German as the language of instruction and at least 32 ECTS (16 semester hours) or a post-secondary degree (no. 8).
The article on periods and evidence for EU long-term residence orders the five-year route and its requirements.
Foreign educational certificates only count as evidence for Module 1 under section 9(4) IntG or for Module 2 under section 10(2) IntG if they fit one of the listed numbers. Type of qualification, duration of training and language of instruction are decisive for the classification.
Certificates should be submitted in a German translation by a generally sworn and court-certified interpreter. Where equivalence is in doubt, clarification before filing is sensible.
Applicants arriving from abroad can often have qualifications and language evidence checked early against section 9(4) IntG or section 10(2) IntG. This spares authority queries later in the proceeding.
Under section 9(1) IntG with the first grant of a residence title under section 8(1) numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 NAG. Section 9(2) IntG sets a fulfilment period of two years from that first grant.
Under section 9(7) IntG, the evidence under section 9(4) no. 1 IntG must not be older than two years at the time of submission in the renewal proceeding under section 24 NAG.
Yes. Section 9(4) IntG expressly notes that fulfilling Module 2 also fulfils Module 1. A separate Module 1 certificate is then no longer required.
Under section 20(1a) NAG, titles under section 8(1) numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 NAG are to be issued for three years if Module 1 is fulfilled and the person has been continuously and lawfully settled during the last two years. Otherwise the general twelve-month rule in section 20(1) NAG applies, subject to any title-specific longer period or other statutory limitation.
Topic page on renewal under section 24 NAG.
Terminology on A2 under section 9 IntG.
B1 under section 10 IntG for EU long-term residence.
Assemble evidence in a structured way for section 24 NAG.