diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/chat.py b/python/src/deltachat/chat.py
index 09883f452..173ec8e84 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/chat.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/chat.py
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ class Chat(object):
 
     # ------  chat status/metadata API ------------------------------
 
+    def is_group(self):
+        """ return true if this chat is a group chat.
+
+        :returns: True if chat is a group-chat, false if it's a contact 1:1 chat.
+        """
+        return lib.dc_chat_get_type(self._dc_chat) in (
+            const.DC_CHAT_TYPE_GROUP,
+            const.DC_CHAT_TYPE_VERIFIED_GROUP
+        )
+
     def is_deaddrop(self):
         """ return true if this chat is a deaddrop chat.
 
@@ -129,7 +139,7 @@ class Chat(object):
         return bool(lib.dc_chat_get_remaining_mute_duration(self.id))
 
     def get_type(self):
-        """ return type of this chat.
+        """ (deprecated) return type of this chat.
 
         :returns: one of const.DC_CHAT_TYPE_*
         """
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index c625b94c9..5c5fc8338 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -147,6 +147,9 @@ class TestOfflineChat:
         str(chat1)
         repr(chat1)
 
+    def test_is_group(self, chat1):
+        assert not chat1.is_group()
+
     def test_chat_by_id(self, chat1):
         chat2 = chat1.account.get_chat_by_id(chat1.id)
         assert chat2 == chat1
@@ -169,6 +172,7 @@ class TestOfflineChat:
 
     def test_add_member_event(self, ac1, make_plugin_recorder):
         chat = ac1.create_group_chat(name="title1")
+        assert chat.is_group()
         # promote the chat
         chat.send_text("hello")
         contact1 = ac1.create_contact("some1@hello.com", name="some1")
@@ -229,6 +233,7 @@ class TestOfflineChat:
     def test_group_chat_qr(self, acfactory, ac1, verified):
         ac2 = acfactory.get_configured_offline_account()
         chat = ac1.create_group_chat(name="title1", verified=verified)
+        assert chat.is_group()
         qr = chat.get_join_qr()
         assert ac2.check_qr(qr).is_ask_verifygroup