Short answer: the ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) is Austria's own German-language certificate, running from A1 to C2 and aligned to the CEFR. It sits alongside the Goethe-Zertifikat and telc as a recognised proof of German, and it includes exams the German bodies do not offer — an Austria-specific B1 for immigrants, a B2 for nursing and medical staff, and a C2 in business German.
If you are choosing a German certificate and Austria is part of your plan, ÖSD is the one most people overlook. This guide covers every exam it offers, who each one is for, and how the system compares with the alternatives.
Every ÖSD exam, by CEFR level
| CEFR level | Exam | Who it is aimed at |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) | Adult beginners |
| A1 | ÖSD KID A1 | Children and younger learners |
| A2 | ÖSD Zertifikat A2 (ZA2) | Adults at elementary level |
| A2 | ÖSD KID A2 | Children and younger learners |
| B1 | ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 (ZDÖ B1) | Immigrants in Austria, aged 16 and over |
| B1 | ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1), youth version ZB1-J | General learners; ZB1-J for teenagers |
| B2 | ÖSD Zertifikat B2 (ZB2), youth version ZB2-J | General learners; ZB2-J for teenagers |
| B2 | ÖSD Zertifikat B2 / Pflege und medizinische Berufe (ZB2-PMB) | Nurses and medical staff |
| C1 | ÖSD Zertifikat C1 (ZC1) | Advanced learners, academic and professional use |
| C2 | ÖSD Zertifikat C2 (ZC2) | Near-native proficiency |
| C2 | ÖSD Zertifikat C2 / Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch (ZC2-WD) | Business and commercial German |
Exam formats, fees and pass marks vary by test centre and change over time. Confirm the current details for your exam on the official ÖSD website before you register.
What the ÖSD actually is
The ÖSD was institutionalised in 1994 under the trusteeship of Österreich-Kooperation, now the OeAD — Austria's agency for international mobility and cooperation. It has been financially self-sustaining since the end of 2009 and operates as a non-profit under the scientific direction of Dr. Manuela Glaboniat.
It describes itself as a state-approved examination and assessment system. Representatives of Austrian ministries sit on its general assembly, board of trustees and scientific board, which is the clearest signal of its standing: the state is involved in its governance rather than simply accepting its certificates.
Two further markers matter if you are weighing credibility. ÖSD is a Full Member of ALTE, the Association of Language Testers in Europe, and its exams are built against the CEFR and Profile deutsch — the same reference framework the Goethe-Zertifikat and telc use. A B2 from any of them describes the same band of ability.
The three exams only ÖSD offers
Most of the ladder mirrors what you can get elsewhere. Three exams do not.
ZDÖ B1 — the Austria-specific B1
The ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 is aimed specifically at immigrants living in Austria who are 16 or older. It is the one exam in the range built around life in Austria rather than general German. If your reason for taking a German exam is that you live in Austria, start by asking whether this is the version the authority you are dealing with wants.
ZB2-PMB — German for nursing and medical work
The B2 for Pflege und medizinische Berufe targets healthcare staff. If you are a nurse or doctor planning to work in a German-speaking country, this sits in the same territory as Germany's Fachsprachprüfung — but note they are different exams run by different bodies for different jurisdictions, and one does not automatically substitute for the other.
ZC2-WD — business German at C2
The C2 Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch is a commercial-German variant at the top of the scale. It is a niche certificate, relevant mainly if an employer has asked for it by name.
ÖSD compared with Goethe and telc
All three map to the same CEFR levels, so the practical differences are about origin, availability and what the organisation asking for the certificate recognises.
| ÖSD | Goethe-Zertifikat | telc | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home country | Austria | Germany | Germany |
| Levels offered | A1–C2 | A1–C2 | A1–C2 |
| Framework | CEFR, Profile deutsch | CEFR | CEFR |
| Youth versions | Yes (KID, ZB1-J, ZB2-J) | Yes (Fit in Deutsch, Jugend) | Yes (telc Schule) |
| Healthcare variant | ZB2-PMB | — | telc B2/C1 Medizin |
| Immigrant-focused exam | ZDÖ B1 (Austria) | — | telc Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer |
| University-admission variant | — | Goethe C1/C2 | telc C1 Hochschule |
For German university admission specifically, the certificates usually named are DSH, TestDaF, Goethe C1 or telc C1 Hochschule rather than ÖSD. Our guide to DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, B2 and C1 equivalents sets out what German universities actually ask for, and German certifications compared covers the wider field.
How to choose
Choose ÖSD if you are living in, moving to, or studying in Austria, if an Austrian employer or authority has named it, or if one of its three specialised exams matches your situation exactly.
Choose Goethe or telc if your plans centre on Germany, particularly for university admission, where their certificates are the ones most commonly listed.
In either case, ask the specific institution before you book. Recognition is decided by the body receiving your certificate — a university admissions office, an employer, or an immigration authority — not by the exam provider. This is the single most common and most expensive mistake in choosing a German exam.
A warning about ÖSD search results
Searching for ÖSD online turns up an unusual number of sites offering to sell certificates without an exam. These are fraudulent. A language certificate obtained this way is worthless at best, and presenting one to an immigration authority or employer carries consequences well beyond a failed application. Register only through the official ÖSD site or a licensed examination centre it lists.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ÖSD as good as the Goethe-Zertifikat?
They are built to the same CEFR levels and ÖSD is an ALTE Full Member, so as a measure of ability they are comparable. The practical question is not quality but recognition: whichever one the institution you are applying to accepts is the right one for you.
Is ÖSD accepted in Germany?
Acceptance depends on the receiving institution rather than the country. Many German employers and bodies accept ÖSD, but German university admissions more commonly name DSH, TestDaF, Goethe C1 or telc C1 Hochschule. Check the specific requirement in writing.
Which ÖSD level do I need for Austrian residence or citizenship?
Austrian residence and citizenship language requirements are set by law and administered by Austrian authorities, not by ÖSD. The requirement depends on the permit or status you are applying for and changes over time. Confirm the current rule with the relevant Austrian authority and check which certificates it accepts before booking any exam.
What is the difference between ZB1 and ZDÖ B1?
Both sit at B1. The ÖSD Zertifikat B1 is the general exam; the ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 is designed for immigrants in Austria aged 16 and over and is oriented towards life there.
Are there ÖSD exams for children?
Yes. ÖSD KID A1 and KID A2 are built for younger learners, and there are youth versions of the B1 and B2 exams, ZB1-J and ZB2-J.
Where to go next
If you are still deciding which German certificate to aim for, start with choosing the right German certificate. If you have a level in mind but not a plan to reach it, our German proficiency roadmap lays out the path from A1 to C2 and what each stage actually demands.