Frequently Asked Questions
IDO 2026

• The Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) is the world’s largest contest for German language learners. Most recently, it took place from 13 to 22 July 2026 under the theme: “DABEI SEIN! ZusammenWachsen”
• Every two years, the international final round is held in a different host city in Germany, always one with a Goethe-Institut. In the past, the following cities have hosted the IDO: Dresden in 2008, Hamburg in 2010, Frankfurt in 2012 and 2014, Berlin in 2016, Freiburg in 2018, a digital edition centred on Dresden in 2020, Hamburg in 2022, Göttingen in 2024, and Mannheim in 2026.

Eligibility is restricted to school students who have qualified for the IDO final round in level A2, B1 or B2 through their Nationale Deutscholympiade (NDO) or another national selection procedure organised by the Goethe-Institut.

Participants must be at least 14 and no older than 17 years of age at the time of the competition. A maximum of two students may participate from each country. The two participants may qualify in the same or in different proficiency levels.

To ensure fairness, participation is not open to: 

• Students whose native language or everyday language of communication is German, or who have at least one German-speaking parent.
• Students who, after the age of three, have lived in a German-speaking country for more than six consecutive months.
• Students attending German schools abroad.
• Students attending local private schools where German is the principal language of instruction and communication.
• Students who have already been awarded a scholarship to Germany in the year of the IDO final round.
• Former students who have completed school and commenced studies at a university.
• Students who have reached legal adulthood at the time of the competition (18 or older).

• Each national qualifying competition (Nationale Deutscholympiade) is organised by a Goethe-Institut or Goethe-Institut liaison office in our global network. As procedures and competition formats differ from one country to another, no standard information on participation or registration can be provided on this website.
• Please contact the Goethe-Institut responsible for your country for further information. National winners go on to compete in the Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO), the international final round of the competition. Registration for the IDO is handled by the respective Goethe-Institut or liaison office. 
• As participation in the IDO is possible only through qualification at national level. Direct applications are not accepted.