Einbürgerungstest 2026 — the complete guide
The Einbürgerungstest — officially the Leben in Deutschland test — is the citizenship test you take to become German. This guide explains exactly how it works, what's on it, what it costs, and how to prepare for free. When you're ready, practise all 310 official questions and take a timed mock exam.
What is the Einbürgerungstest?
It is a standardised multiple-choice test that shows you know the essentials of German society, democracy, history, and the rules of everyday life. It was introduced in 2008 and is the same across the country, set by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The content also appears as the "Leben in Deutschland" test used at the end of many integration courses — the questions are identical, only the purpose differs.
Who needs to take it?
Most adults applying for German citizenship by naturalisation must pass the Einbürgerungstest, together with the other requirements (German at B1 level, a qualifying period of residence, securing your own livelihood, and a commitment to the free democratic order). Some applicants are exempt — for example, people who cannot take it for health reasons or because of age, and those who already hold a German school-leaving qualification. Your local naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) decides your individual case.
The test format
You answer 33 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. Each question has four options and exactly one correct answer. Of the 33 questions, 30 are general (the same nationwide) and 3 are specific to your Bundesland. You pass with at least 17 correct answers. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so you should always answer every question — never leave one blank.
What topics come up?
The 300 general questions are grouped into three areas:
- Politics & democracy — the Grundgesetz, basic rights, elections, how the state is organised, the rule of law.
- History & responsibility — the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and its consequences, the division and reunification of Germany.
- People & society — religion and pluralism, education, work, and the rules of living together.
Plus the 10 state-specific questions for your Bundesland, of which 3 appear in your test.
The state-specific questions — pick your Bundesland
Three of your 33 questions are about your own state: its capital, flag and coat of arms, state parliament, and government. Each state has its own free practice page with all 10 questions:
What it costs and where to take it
The official test fee is normally 25 euros. You sit it at an approved test centre — most commonly a Volkshochschule (VHS) or another licensed provider — where you register, show ID, and take the test on paper. You usually receive your certificate by post a few weeks later. Practising on GetGermanReady is completely free.
How to prepare (and pass first time)
- Learn the whole pool. Your 33 questions are drawn from a fixed, public set, so working through all of them is the surest route to a pass.
- Understand, don't just memorise. Our explanations and translations tell you why an answer is right, which sticks better and helps with similar questions.
- Do your state's 10 questions. They're easy marks once you've seen them. Find yours here.
- Take timed mock tests. A full 33-question mock under time pressure shows you exactly where you stand before the real thing.
After the test
Frequently asked questions
What is the Einbürgerungstest (Leben in Deutschland test)?
It is the official German naturalisation civics test, set by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). It shows you know the essentials of German democracy, history, law, and society. The content is identical to the "Leben in Deutschland" test taken at the end of integration courses — only the purpose differs.
How many questions are in the Einbürgerungstest?
Your test has 33 questions: 30 drawn from a nationwide pool of 300 general questions, and 3 from the 10 questions specific to your federal state. The full public pool is therefore 310 questions.
What score do you need to pass?
You need at least 17 correct answers out of 33, which is roughly 51%. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so you should answer every question rather than leaving any blank.
How much does the Einbürgerungstest cost and where do I take it?
The official test fee is normally 25 euros. You sit it at a licensed test centre — most commonly a Volkshochschule (VHS) — where you register, show ID, and take it on paper. The certificate usually arrives by post a few weeks later. Practising on GetGermanReady is free.
How long does it take to prepare?
Most people prepare in 4 to 8 weeks. Because the questions are drawn from a fixed, public pool, the most reliable approach is to work through all 310 questions grouped by topic, then take timed 33-question mock tests in the final week to build exam confidence.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake the Einbürgerungstest. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts — the test centre simply schedules a new date for you.
Is the Einbürgerungstest the same as the B1 German exam?
No. The Einbürgerungstest is a civics exam about German society, history, and law, taken in German but answered by multiple choice. The B1 exam separately measures German language ability. Naturalisation usually requires both: passing the Einbürgerungstest and proving German at B1 level.
What topics does the Einbürgerungstest cover?
The 300 general questions cover three BAMF areas of 100 questions each: Politics in a democracy (rights, elections, rule of law); History and responsibility (the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and its consequences, division and reunification); and People and society (religion, education, work, living together). On top of these come the 10 questions specific to your Bundesland.
Ready to start?
Practise all 310 official questions free, with English explanations.
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