Internationale Deutsch-
Olympiade 2026

The Internationale Deutscholympiade is the world’s biggest German language contest. The biannual competition offers contestants the opportunity to put their German language skills to the test at three different levels (A2 and B1). Of course, the competition is not only about language skills, but strengthens intercultural skills and international teamwork throughout both the national and the international competitions.

Each participating country hosts national qualifying rounds to determine the top two 'Olympians' who will represent their country at the IDO finals during the summer holidays, where they compete against the world's best German learners. The preliminary digital national round for participants from the UK starts on the 27 October 2025. We will accept submissions until 18 January 2026.

A national in-person final on the 13 February 2026 determines the top two UK Olympians who will represent the UK at the international final in Mannheim, where they will put their German and cultural skills to the test and compete against students from 60 different countries.

The two Olympians and one accompanying teacher will receive a scholarship to travel to the IDO finals in Germany, including airfare, accommodation, meals and a cultural programme. The winners of the International German Olympics will receive a scholarship to undertake a youth course in Germany the following summer.

• The language level of the students should be A2 or B1.
• Students must be at least 14 and no more than 17 years old during the finals in Mannheim (13 – 22 July 2026), i.e. they must have been born between 13.07.2008 and 22.07.2012.

Excluded from participation - for reasons of fairness – are:

• Students whose native language or language of communication is German, or at least one of whose parents is German-speaking 
• Students who have lived in German-speaking countries for more than s6 months after the age of 3  
• Students from German schools abroad  
• Students from local private schools whose language of instruction and communication is predominantly German 
• Students who already have a language scholarship for Germany for 2026  
• Former students who have already begun their studies at a university 
• Students who are 18 or older

Incorrect information about the students will lead to disqualification or disqualification of winning places.  

Requirements for participating students

The IDO final is an International German language learning competition that is accompanied by an extensive social program in Germany. All students are required to participate in the entire IDO program: Preparation workshops, competition tasks, cultural and leisure program.

The preliminary digital national round runs from 27 October 2025 to 18 January 2026. Via the application form, participants are asked to submit a short video and a text, both in German, to be considered for the national final. Please note your submission can only be considered if you can confirm your availability on the day of the final (see below). The online phase takes place at two levels: A2 and B1.

The eight best students of each level will be invited to participate in the final national round. The second national round will take place in person on 13 February 2026, either at the Goethe-Institut in London or at a partner school (tbc).

The worldwide final will be held in Mannheim from 13 to 22 July 2026. Approx. 100 students between 14 and 17 years of age from 60 countries will participate.

The first phase of the IDO's national preliminary round will take place between 27 October 2025 and 18 January 2026.

During this period, all students are invited to apply for participation in the national finals on the 13 February 2025 by entering the following two tasks:

1. Submission of a video (1:30 min - 2:00 min) in German, addressing the following topics:
   • Short introduction ( where you live, school, hobbies).
   • What is your motivation to learn German?
   • Why do you want to participate in the IDO in Mannheim with the motto "Creating knowledge. Building the future"
2. Submission of a text (100 words) in German that responds to the following question:
   • How do you imagine your future with German?

The submission of the two tasks is carried out via this registration form.

The deadline for registering and submitting the two tasks is 00:00 on the 18 January 2026.