Einbürgerungstest: format, questions and free practice

How the test works

• 33 questions: 30 general questions and 3 about your federal state
• Time: 60 minutes
• Pass mark: 17 correct answers
• Fee: €25
• Each question has four answers, and exactly one is correct

Where the questions come from

All questions come from an official catalogue: 300 general questions plus 10 questions for each federal state. You only answer the questions for the state where you live, so you need to know 310 questions in total.

Practise by topic

• Basic Law and fundamental rights 20
• State and institutions 54
• Elections, parties and participation 43
• Rule of law and public authorities 27
• History and responsibility 64
• Germany in Europe 21
• People and society 68

Questions for your federal state

• Baden-Württemberg
• Bavaria
• Berlin
• Brandenburg
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Hesse
• Lower Saxony
• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
• North Rhine-Westphalia
• Rhineland-Palatinate
• Saarland
• Saxony
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Thuringia

Booking the test

Your naturalisation authority names a test centre (often an adult education centre, a Volkshochschule). You arrange the date with that centre. Bring an official photo ID.

Who does not need the test

You may not need to take the test, for example if you have a German school-leaving certificate, or if illness, disability or age prevents you. Former guest workers and GDR contract workers and their spouses are exempt too, as are people who qualify under the language hardship rule. The rules are in § 10 of the Nationality Act; your authority decides.

How to prepare

1. Practise the 300 general questions topic by topic.
2. Learn the 10 questions for your federal state.
3. Take mock exams under real conditions until you pass comfortably.

Frequently asked questions