If you are applying for German citizenship, there is a good chance the Einbürgerungstest — the German citizenship test — is on your to-do list. The good news up front: this is one of the most manageable steps in the entire naturalization process. The test is multiple choice, the questions are published in advance, and around 90% of candidates pass on their first attempt.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know in 2026: what the test is, who has to take it (and who is exempt), how it is structured, what it costs, which topics come up, how registration works, and how the test fits into the bigger picture of becoming a German citizen.
What Is the Einbürgerungstest?
The Einbürgerungstest is a standardized multiple-choice test that most adults must pass as part of the naturalization process in Germany. It is run by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and administered at roughly 500 test centers across the country — typically Volkshochschulen, Germany’s adult education centers.
The purpose of the test is to confirm that you have basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social order and of life in Germany: how democracy works, what the constitution guarantees, key moments in German history, and everyday civic knowledge. It is not a language exam and it is not an interview. You sit down, you answer written multiple-choice questions, and you are done in an hour or less.
The naturalization test draws on an official catalog of exactly 310 questions: 300 general questions that are the same everywhere in Germany, plus 10 questions specific to each Bundesland (federal state). Because every possible question is published in advance, preparation is genuinely straightforward — you can study the exact material you will be tested on.
Who Needs to Take the Test?
As a rule, anyone applying for German citizenship through naturalization must demonstrate knowledge of the legal and social order in Germany, and the Einbürgerungstest is the standard way to do that. However, several groups are exempt.
Exemptions from the citizenship test
You do not need to take the Einbürgerungstest if any of the following applies:
- You have a German school-leaving certificate (Schulabschluss).
- You hold a degree from a German university in law, social sciences, political science, or administrative sciences.
- You successfully completed the BAMF integration course and passed its final exam, the Leben in Deutschland test, with a score high enough to count for citizenship (more on that below).
- You cannot take the test because of illness, disability, or age-related inability.
There is also a special provision for the so-called guest-worker generation: since the nationality law reform of June 2024, members of this group need only oral German skills and do not have to take a naturalization test at all.
One exemption deserves special attention because it trips people up constantly: the Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test. It uses the same 310-question catalog and the same format as the Einbürgerungstest, but it serves a different administrative purpose — and if you score at least 17 correct answers on it, it counts as equivalent to the Einbürgerungstest, so you never need to take the citizenship test separately. If you are unsure which test applies to you, we compare the two in detail in our guide to the difference between the Einbürgerungstest and the Leben in Deutschland test.
Test Structure: 33 Questions, 60 Minutes, Pass Mark 17
Here is exactly what you will face on test day:
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions on your test paper | 33 (30 general + 3 state-specific) |
| Question pool | 310 (300 general + 10 per federal state) |
| Format | Multiple choice, 4 answer options, exactly 1 correct |
| Time limit | 60 minutes |
| Pass mark | 17 correct answers (about 52%) |
| Fee | €25 per attempt |
| Retakes | Unlimited (you pay the fee each time) |
Each test paper (the “Testheft”) contains 33 questions drawn from the official catalog: 30 from the general pool and 3 from your state’s pool of 10. Every question offers four answer options, and exactly one is correct. You have 60 minutes, which is generous — most well-prepared candidates finish in well under half that time.
To pass, you need 17 correct answers out of 33. That is roughly 52%, meaning you can get 16 questions wrong and still pass. Combined with the fact that all 310 possible questions are public, this low threshold explains why roughly nine in ten candidates pass on their first try.
If you do fail, it is not the end of the road: you can retake the test as many times as needed, paying the €25 fee for each attempt.
What Topics Does the Test Cover?
The 300 general questions fall into three broad thematic blocks:
Politics in a democracy. This is the largest block. It covers Germany’s democratic system, the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), fundamental rights, elections, the roles of the Bundestag and federal government, the rule of law, and how citizens participate in political life. Expect questions like which rights the constitution guarantees or how members of parliament are elected.
History and responsibility. These questions deal with German history and the responsibility that flows from it — especially National Socialism and the Holocaust, but also the division of Germany after World War II, life in East and West Germany, and reunification in 1990.
People and society. The third block covers everyday life in Germany: religion and religious freedom, education and school, work, family, and social norms.
On top of the general questions, your test includes 3 questions from your Bundesland’s set of 10 — typically about your state parliament, the state capital, the coat of arms, and similar state-level civics.
It is also worth knowing that the catalog was updated in March/April 2024, when BAMF added 10 new questions on Jewish life in Germany, antisemitism, and Israel’s right to exist and Germany’s special responsibility toward Israel; the total stayed at 310 because the catalog was revised at the same time. For example, candidates may now be asked which German cities have the largest Jewish communities (Berlin and Munich) or be tested on the fact that Holocaust denial is punishable in Germany by up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine. We break down the full question catalog — including all topic blocks, the state-specific questions, and the 10 newest additions — in our deep dive on the 310 official Einbürgerungstest questions and topics.
How the Test Fits Into the Naturalization Process
The Einbürgerungstest is just one requirement among several for German citizenship. As of 2026, under the modernized nationality law in force since 27 June 2024, the core requirements are:
- Usually 5 years of legal residence in Germany (reduced from 8 in the 2024 reform; a 3-year route still exists if you have been married to a German citizen for at least 2 years).
- German language skills at level B1, proven by a certificate or equivalents such as a German school diploma or a degree or vocational training completed in German.
- A passed Einbürgerungstest — or a Leben in Deutschland test with at least 17 correct answers, or an applicable exemption.
- A secure livelihood without relevant social benefits (with hardship exceptions).
- No serious criminal convictions, a commitment to the free democratic basic order, and acknowledgment of Germany’s special historical responsibility, including for the Holocaust.
- Valid identity and residence documents. The minimum age to apply on your own is 16.
Since the 2024 reform, dual citizenship is allowed for everyone — you no longer have to give up your previous nationality. Note, however, that the 3-year “turbo” naturalization for special integration achievements was abolished by a law in force since 30 October 2025. The rules have shifted more than once in recent years, so if you want the current picture in one place, see our overview of German citizenship requirements in 2026 and what changed.
The naturalization application itself is filed with your local Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalization office); some states now offer digital applications. The application fee is €255 per adult and €51 per minor child naturalized with a parent, with fee reductions possible in some cases. Processing times vary by city — commonly several months to more than a year — which is a practical argument for getting the test done early: your test certificate will be ready when the rest of your file is. Handbook Germany maintains a helpful plain-language overview of the whole naturalization process, and the official requirements are laid out on the BAMF naturalization page.
Registration, Test Day, and Results: The Basics
You register for the Einbürgerungstest directly with a local test center — usually a Volkshochschule. If you are not sure which centers near you offer the test, your local naturalization authority can point you to them. Test dates and how far in advance you need to book vary from center to center, so it pays to ask early. The fee of €25 per attempt is paid to the test center.
On test day, bring a valid photo ID. You will receive a paper test booklet with your 33 questions and mark your answers within the 60-minute window. Afterwards, your answers are evaluated centrally, and you receive an official certificate from BAMF — the “Bescheinigung über Ihr persönliches Testergebnis” — usually mailed a few weeks after the test. This certificate is what you submit with your citizenship application. For a step-by-step walkthrough of booking a seat, what happens in the exam room, and when your certificate arrives, read our practical guide to registering for the Einbürgerungstest, fees, test day, and results.
How to Prepare (Without Overdoing It)
Because every possible question is published, preparing for the Einbürgerungstest is a matter of systematic practice rather than open-ended studying. A few pointers:
- Work through the full catalog. All 310 questions — 300 general plus your state’s 10 — are available in advance. Go through them until the correct answers feel familiar.
- Use the official sample test. BAMF offers a free Musterfragebogen (sample test) as well as an online question catalog and interactive test center, so you can see the real format before exam day.
- Take timed mock exams. Simulating the 33-question, 60-minute format builds confidence and shows you how much time you really need (usually far less than an hour).
- Don’t skip the state questions. Only 3 appear on your paper, but there are only 10 to learn — easy points.
- Understand, don’t just memorize. Many questions test the same underlying concepts (fundamental rights, elections, the Nazi era), so grasping the ideas makes dozens of questions easier at once.
If you prefer studying on your phone, the LebenPro app lets you practice all 310 official questions — including your state-specific set — with English translations and explanations, timed mock exams, and progress tracking that shows you exactly which topics still need work. And if you like structure, we have turned the whole preparation into a schedule in our 4-week Einbürgerungstest study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the German citizenship test?
By exam standards, not very. You need 17 of 33 multiple-choice questions correct (about 52%), all 310 possible questions are published in advance, and around 90% of candidates pass on the first attempt. With a week or two of consistent practice, most people are comfortably ready.
How much does the Einbürgerungstest cost in 2026?
The test costs €25 per attempt, paid to the test center. If you fail, you can retake it as many times as you need, paying €25 each time. This is separate from the naturalization application fee of €255 per adult.
Can I take the test in English?
No. The Einbürgerungstest is only offered in German. However, because citizenship also requires B1 German, the language level of the questions is deliberately manageable — and studying with English translations and explanations (for example in the LebenPro app) helps you understand the content while you learn the German wording.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
Nothing dramatic: there is no waiting period or limit on attempts. You simply register again at a test center and pay the €25 fee for the new attempt. Since you can get 16 of 33 questions wrong and still pass, a focused review of your weak topics is usually enough for the next try.
Is the Einbürgerungstest the same as the Leben in Deutschland test?
They use the same 310-question catalog and the same 33-question format, but they serve different purposes: the LiD test concludes the integration course and supports permanent residence, while the Einbürgerungstest is for citizenship. Score at least 17 on the LiD test and it also counts for naturalization.
Ready to start preparing? Download LebenPro at lebenpro.de to practice all 310 official questions with English explanations, take realistic mock exams, and track your progress until you walk into the test center knowing you will pass.