German Citizenship Test practice test

The Einbürgerungstest (naturalisation test) checks your knowledge of Germany’s democracy, history and society. It is required for most adults applying for German citizenship. The questions come from a public catalogue of 310 questions: 300 general questions plus 10 for each of the 16 federal states, of which the 10 for your own state apply to you.

The test has 33 questions: 30 general questions and 3 about the state where you live. You have 60 minutes and need 17 correct answers to pass. It costs 25 euros per attempt and is taken on paper, under supervision, at a test centre approved by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), usually an adult education centre (Volkshochschule). The same question catalogue is used for the “Leben in Deutschland” test taken at the end of an integration course, and a pass in either one counts.

Who has to take it

Anyone aged 16 or over applying for naturalisation must show knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany, and the test is the standard way to do that. You are exempt if you have a German school-leaving certificate (at least a Hauptschulabschluss) or a German degree in law, social sciences, politics or public administration, and if illness, disability or age prevents you from taking the test. There is no fixed age exemption; it is assessed case by case.

How the test day works

You register directly with a test centre; many run sessions monthly, so book early. Bring your passport or residence document. The test is a paper questionnaire in German with four answer options per question, and you mark one. You can leave early once you are done. Results are not given on the day: BAMF marks the papers and sends a certificate, typically within a few weeks, which you then submit with your naturalisation application. The certificate does not expire. If you do not pass, you can register again as often as you like, paying the fee each time.

What the questions cover

The catalogue has three themes. Living in a democracy is the largest: the Basic Law and fundamental rights, the Bundestag, Bundesrat, Federal President and Chancellor, elections, parties, the courts and federalism. History and responsibility covers the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and the Holocaust, the division and reunification of Germany, and Germany’s role in Europe. People and society covers religion, education, work, family, equality and everyday rules. The state questions ask about your state’s capital, coat of arms, parliament and head of government. Our questions and answers page follows the same themes.

Language

The real test is in German, at roughly B1 level of reading. Naturalisation also requires a separate German certificate at B1 or higher. This site shows the questions in English so you can learn the content first; once you know the facts, practise with the official German wording in BAMF’s online test centre so the vocabulary is familiar on the day.

How to study

1. Work through practice mode by theme, starting with democracy, which supplies most of the 30 general questions.
2. Learn the numbers and names: how many states, how long the Bundestag’s term is, who elects the Chancellor and the Federal President, the dates of 1933, 1945, 1949, 1961 and 1990.
3. Study the 10 questions for your own state separately; they are easy marks.
4. Take a timed mock exam until you pass three in a row with 25 or more, then clear your weak questions.
5. Finish with the official German sample test so you recognise the wording.

Our questions are English versions of questions from the official BAMF catalogue. Always check BAMF’s online test centre, linked on this page, for the current German catalogue and your state’s questions.