Are German language courses tax-deductible in Germany for expats?

Are German language courses tax-deductible in Germany for expats?

Many expats living and working in Germany need to learn German for professional reasons: patient communication, client meetings, documentation, internal communication or compliance requirements. A common question is whether privately paid German language courses can be deducted from German income tax.

The short answer: yes, in many cases — if the course is clearly job-related continuing education (berufliche Weiterbildung).

Legal basis: language courses as “Werbungskosten”

In Germany, employees can deduct work-related expenses as Werbungskosten in their private tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung). This includes training and continuing education costs if they are directly related to the current profession.

German language courses qualify as Werbungskosten when:

• the language is required or clearly useful for the current job,
• the course improves professional performance (not a hobby),
• the training is structured and documented,
• the costs are paid privately by the employee.

Typical professions where German courses are deductible

The following professions commonly meet the requirements for deductibility, provided the course content is professionally oriented:

• Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals (patient communication, documentation)
• IT professionals (internal communication, project meetings)
• Engineers and technicians (safety briefings, reports)
• Consultants and project managers (client communication)
• Teachers and academic staff
• Hospitality and service professionals
• HR, finance and legal professionals

What kind of German course is accepted?

Tax authorities look closely at the professional relevance of the course. Courses are more likely to be accepted if they include:

• clear learning objectives linked to the job,
• a defined starting level and target level (CEFR A1–B2),
• focus on professional situations (meetings, emails, reports),
• a structured learning plan,
• progress tracking and learning documentation.

General conversation or leisure courses without professional context are significantly less likely to be accepted.

How to declare a German language course in the tax return

Privately paid German language courses are declared in the Anlage N of the German income tax return under:

• Werbungskosten
• Fortbildungskosten / Weiterbildungskosten

You should keep the following documents in case of a tax audit (Betriebsprüfung / Nachweisanforderung):

• invoice showing your name and the course provider,
• description of course content and objectives,
• learning plan and duration,
• proof of payment,
• progress tracking or attendance records.

Differences between German federal states (Bundesländer)

German income tax law is federal, meaning the basic rules apply across all Bundesländer. However, local tax offices (Finanzämter) may differ slightly in how strictly they assess professional relevance.

In practice, deductibility is commonly accepted in major professional hubs such as:

• Berlin
• Bavaria (Munich)
• North Rhine-Westphalia (Cologne, Düsseldorf)
• Hesse (Frankfurt)
• Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart)
• Hamburg

Regardless of location, clear documentation remains the decisive factor.

Why structured language training matters for tax purposes

A structured course significantly strengthens your position in case of review. Professional language training should include:

• a personalised learning plan,
• defined professional goals,
• regular progress evaluation,
• transparent invoicing,
• clear link to workplace communication.

Professional German courses with coLanguage

coLanguage offers professionally oriented German courses for expats living in Germany. Courses are designed for tax-compliant documentation and include:

• personalised course plans aligned with job requirements,
• CEFR-based level progression (A1–B2),
• detailed invoices suitable for tax declarations,
• learning progress tracking and reporting,
• qualified teachers available locally and online.

Use case: German course deduction for an expat professional

Anna, a 34-year-old medical doctor from Spain, works in a hospital in Berlin. Although English is used internally, German is required for:

• patient consultations,
• medical documentation,
• coordination with nursing staff.

Anna pays for a professional German course B1 → B2 herself. The course includes a structured learning plan, medical communication focus, progress tracking and a detailed invoice.

In her Einkommensteuererklärung, Anna declares the course costs as Werbungskosten under Weiterbildungskosten. The tax office accepts the deduction due to the clear professional relevance and complete documentation.

Note: This article provides general information only. Final deductibility always depends on the individual situation and the assessment of the competent German tax authority.