How the Leben in Deutschland Einbürgerungstest Works
The LiD test is administered by BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) and closes out your integration course. It is required for German citizenship (Einbürgerung) and, in most Bundesländer, for permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis).
BAMF draws 33 questions randomly from a pool of 310. You answer multiple-choice on paper, score is calculated immediately, and the certificate arrives by post within a few weeks.
Drawn randomly — no two exams are the same.
More than enough time. Most candidates finish early.
Just over half right to pass. No penalty for wrong answers.
Who needs the LiD test?
- Anyone applying for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)
- Most applicants for permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
- Participants finishing the BAMF Orientierungskurs / Integrationskurs
LiD Test Topics & Question Distribution (310 BAMF Questions)
BAMF organises the 300 general LiD questions into three official Themenbereiche (topic areas) of 100 questions each. A further 10 questions are specific to each of Germany's 16 Bundesländer.
Politik in der Demokratie
Politics in a Democracy
Germany's political system, basic rights, rule of law, and elections.
Questions cover the Bundestag, federal structure, voting rights, the Grundgesetz, and the role of courts in protecting civil liberties.
Geschichte und Verantwortung
History & Responsibility
German history, National Socialism, the Holocaust, and post-war development.
Questions span the Weimar Republic, causes of World War II, the division of Germany, and reunification in 1990.
Mensch und Gesellschaft
People & Society
Everyday life, equality, religious diversity, family, and social values.
Covers gender equality, children's rights, freedom of religion, integration, and what it means to live together in a pluralistic society.
State-Specific LiD Questions
Each of Germany's 16 Bundesländer has its own set of 10 questions on local politics, history, or geography. Three of these appear in every exam alongside the 30 general questions.
310 Total Questions
300 general questions across three Themenbereiche, plus 10 state-specific questions per Bundesland.
Simulated Einbürgerungstest
Each attempt generates a fresh 33-question set drawn from all topic areas — mirroring the real BAMF exam format.
State-Specific LiD Questions for All 16 Bundesländer
Every Einbürgerungstest includes 3 questions specific to your federal state. Pick yours and practise the right 10-question set — common search examples: LiD test Bayern, LiD test NRW, Einbürgerungstest Berlin, Einbürgerungstest Hessen.
How to Prepare for the LiD Einbürgerungstest in 4 Weeks
A 4-week plan covers the official BAMF curriculum without burnout. Adjust the timeline to your schedule — the steps stay the same.
- 1
Understand the Einbürgerungstest format
The LiD test has 33 questions drawn randomly from 310 official BAMF questions. You need 17 / 33 correct to pass and have 60 minutes to complete it.
- 2
Study by topic area
Work through all three BAMF Themenbereiche — Politics in a Democracy, History & Responsibility, and People & Society. Focus on your weak areas first.
- 3
Practice state-specific LiD questions
Three of the 33 exam questions are specific to your Bundesland. Select your federal state and run the right 10-question set.
- 4
Take timed 33-question mock tests
Simulate the real exam with timed mock tests. This builds time management and surfaces the remaining weak spots.
- 5
Review and repeat until confident
Track your progress, revisit incorrect answers, and retake mock tests until you consistently score above 17/33.
Leben in Deutschland Test — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the LiD Einbürgerungstest, scoring, costs, and how it relates to A1 / A2 / B1 German exams.
What is the Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test?expand_more
The Leben in Deutschland test — also called the Einbürgerungstest — is the official German citizenship and naturalization exam administered by BAMF. It contains 310 questions covering democracy, history, society and 10 questions specific to each federal state. Your real exam draws 33 questions from this pool.
How many questions are in the LiD Einbürgerungstest?expand_more
The official BAMF pool has 310 questions: 300 general (split across three Themenbereiche of 100 each) and 10 state-specific questions per Bundesland. The exam you sit has 33 questions — 30 general and 3 state-specific.
What score do you need to pass the LiD test?expand_more
You need at least 17 out of 33 correct — approximately 51%. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always answer every question.
How much does the Einbürgerungstest cost?expand_more
The LiD test costs €25. You register through a BAMF-licensed test centre — a Volkshochschule, an integration-course provider, or similar.
What happens if you fail the LiD test?expand_more
You can retake the Einbürgerungstest as many times as needed. There is no mandatory waiting period — the test centre simply schedules a new date and you pay the fee again.
Is the LiD test the same as the A1, A2, or B1 German language test?expand_more
No. The LiD Einbürgerungstest is a civics exam — facts about Germany's society, history and law. A1, A2 and B1 tests measure German language proficiency. For citizenship you need both: pass the LiD test and demonstrate B1 German.
Do permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis) applicants need the LiD test?expand_more
In most cases yes. Permanent residency under § 9 AufenthG requires civics knowledge equivalent to the Einbürgerungstest. The same LiD certificate is the accepted proof in most Bundesländer.
How long does it take to prepare for the LiD test?expand_more
Most people prepare for 4–8 weeks. If you've completed an Orientierungskurs at the end of your integration course you'll already know most of the material. Practising timed 33-question mock tests in the final week is the highest-leverage step.
Are the questions on this site the official BAMF questions?expand_more
Yes — all 300 general questions and 10 questions per state come directly from the official BAMF Fragenkatalog. Practising them is the most effective preparation because the real exam draws from this exact pool.
Browse LiD Einbürgerungstest Questions by Topic
Click any topic to jump into the questions in the Learning Hub.
Grundrechte & Verfassung
Fundamental Rights & Constitution
Staat & Politik
State & Politics
Europa & Außenpolitik
Europe & Foreign Policy
Geschichte
German History
Gesellschaft & Alltag
Society & Everyday Life
Wirtschaft & Soziales
Economy & Social
Geographie & Bundesländer
Geography & States
Democracy
Fundamental Rights & Constitution
History
German History
Society
Society & Everyday Life
Economy
Economy & Social
Geography
Geography & States
Beyond the LiD Test — B1 German for Citizenship
German citizenship under § 10 StAG requires both the Einbürgerungstest and a B1 German language certificate. If you're still building up to B1, A1 and A2 mock tests are also available free.
Deutsch B1 Exam Guide
The language threshold for German citizenship (§ 10 StAG) and the standard Niederlassungserlaubnis. Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is modular.
Free A2 German Mock Test
Goethe / telc A2 format — reading, writing, listening, speaking. Threshold for Daueraufenthalt-EU.
Free A1 German Mock Test
Goethe / telc A1 format. Required for family reunification and spouse visas under § 30 AufenthG.
This app is free — and will always be.
If it helped you or someone you know pass their exam, buying us a coffee means a lot.