The Einbürgerungstest explained
Updated 20 October 2026
Short answer: The Einbürgerungstest is a 33-question multiple-choice test about German law, society and history. 30 questions come from a pool of 300 general questions and 3 from the 10 questions for your federal state. You have 60 minutes and pass with 17 correct answers. The test is in German and costs €25.
Results: BAMF is marking tests taken up to 31 July 2026
Who needs the test?
If you apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung), you must prove “knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany”. The usual way to prove this is the Einbürgerungstest certificate. Most applicants aged 16 and over need it.
Test format at a glance
| Questions | 33 (30 general + 3 about your federal state) |
|---|---|
| Pass mark | 17 correct answers |
| Time | 60 minutes |
| Format | Paper or computer, multiple choice, 4 options, exactly one is correct |
| Language | German only |
| Fee | €25 |
| Question pool | 300 general + 10 per federal state (official BAMF catalogue) |
Which questions can come up?
Every question in the test comes from the official catalogue published by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). There are no surprise questions. That’s the good news: if you know your 310 questions, you will pass. The catalogue covers three big areas:
- Living in a democracy - basic rights, the constitution (Grundgesetz), elections, parties, the Bundestag, Bundesrat, the Federal President and Chancellor, federalism, courts.
- History and responsibility - the Nazi era and the Holocaust, post-war Germany, the GDR, reunification, Germany in Europe, and Jewish life in Germany today.
- People and society - family, equality, religion, school and work, everyday life.
Some questions show pictures: coats of arms, maps of the states, ballot papers or famous photos.
Einbürgerungstest vs. “Leben in Deutschland” test
They use the same catalogue and the same 33-question format. The “Leben in Deutschland” test (LiD) is taken at the end of the integration course. With 15 correct answers you pass the orientation course; with 17 correct answers the LiD certificate also counts as proof of knowledge for naturalisation. If you already have a LiD certificate with 17 or more points, you usually don’t need to take the Einbürgerungstest again.
After the test
Your answers are marked centrally by BAMF in Nuremberg. If you pass, you receive a certificate (Bescheinigung) by post - typically a few weeks after the test. Add it to your citizenship application. If you fail, you can retake the test as often as you need; you pay the fee again each time.
How to prepare
Learn the 300 general questions plus the 10 for your state, then take timed mock exams until you consistently score 28 or more. Our two-week study plan shows a simple daily routine.
Questions people ask
Is the Einbürgerungstest difficult?
No - the official statistics show that the vast majority of candidates pass. All questions come from the published catalogue, so with preparation the test is very manageable.
Can I take the test before I apply for citizenship?
Yes. Many people take the test first and include the certificate with their application.
Do I get the questions in random order?
Yes. The 33 questions are a random selection from the catalogue: 30 general questions and 3 from your federal state.