What is the LiD test (Leben in Deutschland)?

The Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test is the official German citizenship and naturalization exam administered by BAMF. It consists of 310 questions covering democracy, history, law, society, and geography. The actual exam draws 33 questions randomly from the pool.

How many questions are in the LiD Einbürgerungstest?

The official pool has 310 questions: 300 general and 10 state-specific per federal state. The exam you sit has 33 questions — 30 from the general pool and 3 specific to your state.

What score do you need to pass the LiD test?

You need at least 17 out of 33 correct (approximately 51%) to pass the Leben in Deutschland Einbürgerungstest.

How long does it take to prepare for the LiD Einbürgerungstest?

Most people prepare for 4–8 weeks. The BAMF integration course covers the material, but self-study using all 310 official questions — grouped by topic — is the most effective approach. Practising timed 33-question mock tests in the final week helps build exam confidence.

What happens if you fail the LiD test?

You can retake the LiD Einbürgerungstest. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts. The BAMF test centre will schedule a new date for you.

Is the LiD test the same as the A1, A2, or B1 German language test?

No. The LiD test is a civics exam about German society, history, and law. A1, A2, and B1 tests measure German language proficiency. B1 German is a separate prerequisite for citizenship alongside the LiD test.

Who needs the German A1 language test?

The A1 exam is required for family reunification and spouse visas (§ 30 AufenthG). It covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The exam lasts 65 minutes and requires 60% (36/60 points) to pass.

Is there a free A1 German mock test online?

Yes. GetGermanReady offers a free A1 German mock test mirroring the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 and telc Deutsch A1 format, with all four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. No account required.

Is there a free A2 German mock test online?

Yes. GetGermanReady provides a free A2 mock test covering reading (notices, advertisements), writing, listening, and speaking — matching the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 and telc Deutsch A2 format. Free, no sign-up needed.

What German language level is needed for citizenship?

German citizenship (Einbürgerung) requires B1 German language level. This can be demonstrated via a Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or ÖSD Zertifikat B1. You must also pass the LiD Einbürgerungstest separately.

What does the A2 German exam test?

The A2 exam tests understanding of sentences about familiar topics, communication in routine situations, and describing immediate environment. It covers reading (signs, emails, notices), writing (short messages), listening (announcements, conversations), and speaking (describing yourself and daily life).

What topics does the LiD test cover?

The Leben in Deutschland Einbürgerungstest covers three official BAMF Themenbereiche (topic areas) of 100 questions each: (1) Politik in der Demokratie — democracy, rights, elections, rule of law; (2) Geschichte und Verantwortung — German history, National Socialism, post-war development; (3) Mensch und Gesellschaft — society, integration, religion, family. Plus 10 questions specific to your federal state, for a total of 310 questions in the pool.

About GetGermanReady

GetGermanReady is a free platform that helps people living in or moving to Germany prepare for the exams their immigration journey depends on — the Einbürgerungstest (Leben in Deutschland) and the A1, A2 and B1 German language exams — with realistic practice, instant feedback, and clear explanations.

Why we built it

Every step of settling in Germany comes with a German exam. A spouse-visa applicant needs A1. Permanent residency usually needs A2 or B1. Citizenship needs B1 and a pass in the Einbürgerungstest. For many people these tests are the single biggest hurdle between them and the right to stay, work, reunite with family, or become a citizen — yet good preparation is often expensive, scattered across official PDFs, or only available in German.

We started GetGermanReady to put serious, format-accurate practice within reach of anyone, for free. No paywall to see a question, no sign-up to take a mock test, and English translations throughout so you actually understand what you're learning.

Who it's for

GetGermanReady is for everyone on the German residency and citizenship path:

Future citizens preparing for the Einbürgerungstest and the B1 level required for naturalisation.
Families sitting the A1 exam for a spouse/family-reunion visa.
Long-term residents working toward A2 or B1 for a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis / Daueraufenthalt-EU).
Anyone learning German who wants honest, exam-style practice with feedback.

What's inside

The full Einbürgerungstest question bank — all 300 general questions plus the 10 state-specific questions for every one of the 16 Bundesländer, with English translations and explanations. Take timed 33-question mock exams that mirror the real BAMF format.
A1, A2 and B1 daily mock exams modelled on the Goethe-Zertifikat and telc formats, covering all four parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking) with AI-assisted grading and personalised feedback.
Speech Coach — practise speaking German out loud with an AI conversation partner across real-life scenarios, then get a coaching report.
Progress tracking — see your weak topics, streaks, and history so you know when you're ready.

How our content is made

The Einbürgerungstest questions are the official, public BAMF catalogue. Our study guides, explanations and FAQs are written originally by us. The A1–B1 practice exams are modelled on the level and format of the corresponding official exams and are produced with the help of AI and reviewed for quality.

We are an independent study tool. GetGermanReady is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH, ÖSD, or the BAMF. Trademarks are used only descriptively to identify the exam format being practised. A passed practice test is not a guarantee of passing the official exam. Full details are in our .

Free — and how we keep it that way

The core of GetGermanReady is free. We keep the lights on with unobtrusive advertising and an optional one-time Pro upgrade that unlocks unlimited AI-graded mock exams and the Speech Coach — there's no subscription. You can read our privacy policy to see exactly what data we do and don't collect.

Get in touch

Found a mistake, have a feature idea, or need help? We'd love to hear from you — use our or email contact@getgermanready.com.