Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland: The Test for German Citizenship

The Einbürgerungstest verifies knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system for the purpose of applying for citizenship. The Leben in Deutschland test is similar in format and uses the same question bank, but is usually taken at the end of the Orientierungskurs as part of the integration course.

The main rule is simple: to obtain citizenship, you need a score of at least 17 correct answers out of 33. If you already have a “Leben in Deutschland” certificate with a score of 17 or higher, a separate Einbürgerungstest is usually not required.

How Do the Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland Differ?

Both tests assess basic knowledge of democracy, history, responsibility, rights, obligations, and everyday life in Germany. The difference lies in the purpose of the test results.

Item	Einbürgerungstest	Leben in Deutschland
Purpose	To verify knowledge when applying for citizenship	As the final test of the Orientierungskurs in the integration course
Format	33 questions, 60 minutes, 4 answer choices	33 questions, 60 minutes, 4 answer choices
Passing Score	17 correct answers out of 33	15 out of 33 to pass the Orientierungskurs; 17 out of 33 if the result is needed for citizenship
Question Bank	General BAMF Question Bank: 300 general questions and 10 questions for each state	Same BAMF Question Bank
Document	BAMF certificate of individual results	Confirmation of LiD results; together with a passing DTZ B1, it may be included in the Zertifikat Integrationskurs

If your goal is citizenship, aim for 17 points rather than the minimum 15 points required for the Orientierungskurs. It is this threshold that is required as proof of knowledge under the Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz.

Who Needs the Test

Most adult applicants for German citizenship need to take the Einbürgerungstest. It verifies knowledge of the legal system, society, and living conditions in Germany.

The test is generally not required if the applicant:

• have received a German high school diploma;
• is unable to meet the requirement due to a physical, mental, or psychological illness, a disability, or age;
• This falls under another category of exemption recognized by the Einbürgerungsbehörde.

Children and adolescents under the age of 16 are generally not required to demonstrate this knowledge through the Einbürgerungstest when applying for naturalization. However, the final decision is always made by the citizenship office on a case-by-case basis.

The test does not replace a language certificate. For standard naturalization, a separate German language proficiency requirement applies, generally at least at the B1 level. The full procedure is described in the article “” on obtaining German citizenship:.

How the Exam Works

During the exam, you’ll receive a test booklet with 33 questions. Each question has four answer choices, only one of which is correct. You’ll have 60 minutes to complete the test.

Test structure:

• 30 general questions covering the topics “Leben in der Demokratie,” “Geschichte und Verantwortung,” and “Mensch und Gesellschaft”;
• 3 questions about the federal state where you are registered as having your primary residence.

The exam is written. There is no oral section, listening comprehension, essay, or conversation with an examiner. You must present a valid photo ID upon entry. Cell phones, dictionaries, notes, and other reference materials may not be used during the test.

What questions should you study?

To prepare for the test, you need to go through 310 questions: 300 general questions and 10 questions specific to your federal state. The complete BAMF question bank contains 300 general questions and 160 state-specific questions—10 for each of the 16 states.

Topics covered include:

• Germany’s democratic system;
• the rights and obligations of citizens;
• elections, political parties, parliament, and federalism;
• German history and responsibility for the past;
• equality, religious freedom, and public life;
• Specific features of a particular federal state.

To prepare, it’s best to use the current BAMF question bank and the official online Testcenter. Older question lists found online may be incomplete or outdated.

Where to Take the Einbürgerungstest

The Einbürgerungstest is administered by examination centers approved by the BAMF. A list of centers is published by federal state, but registration is usually handled by the specific examination center.

Before registering, check the following:

• Does the center accept external candidates, or only participants in its own courses?;
• What dates are available;
• How to submit an Anmeldung;
• What documents are required;
• How is the fee paid?;
• When to expect the results.

If you are taking an integration course, the “Leben in Deutschland” test is usually organized by the training center after the Orientierungskurs.

How much does the test cost?

Taking the Einbürgerungstest costs 25 euros. You must bring a valid photo ID to the exam. Individual testing centers may have their own registration rules, but the official fee for the Einbürgerungstest itself is listed by the BAMF as 25 euros.

You must pass the citizenship test before the Einbürgerungsamt can accept your proof of knowledge for naturalization.

Results and Certificate

After the Einbürgerungstest, the BAMF issues a Bescheinigung with your individual score. The document specifies how many questions were answered correctly and whether the test was considered passed.

If your score is below 17 correct answers, you can retake the test. The BAMF regulations do not specify a limit on the number of attempts, but the timing of a new registration depends on available slots at the Prüfungsstelle.

There are two passing thresholds for the “Leben in Deutschland” test:

• 15 out of 33 — the test counts toward the final exam of the Orientierungskurs;
• 17 out of 33 — this score can be used as proof of knowledge for citizenship.

If, in addition to the “Leben in Deutschland” exam, a participant in the integration course successfully passes the “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer” language exam at the B1 level, they can receive the “Zertifikat Integrationskurs.”

A score of 17 or higher on the Einbürgerungstest or LiD may be required for purposes other than citizenship. In certain procedures—for example, when applying for permanent residence in Germany () or applying for permanent residence in Germany ()—the authorities may also request proof of basic knowledge of the country’s legal and social systems.

How to Prepare

Start with the official BAMF question bank, not with random compilations. First, go through all 300 general questions, then study the 10 questions specific to your state separately.

Study plan:

1. Go through the question bank without a time limit and review your mistakes.
2. Make a list of topics where similar answers can be confusing: elections, the powers of government bodies, historical dates, rights, and responsibilities.
3. Review the questions specific to your federal state separately.
4. Take the 33-question practice test several times, allowing 60 minutes to complete it.
5. In the final days, practice without a translation to get used to the German phrasing.

Most mistakes often arise not because of a difficult topic, but because of careless reading: the answer choices may differ by just one word.

If special conditions apply

If, due to illness, disability, or another valid reason, you are unable to take the test under standard conditions, you must discuss this in advance with the Prüfungsstelle and the Einbürgerungsbehörde. Accommodations or exemptions may be granted, but the decision depends on the documentation and the specific circumstances.

You shouldn’t simply skip the exam or expect the issue to be resolved on the spot. It’s better to clarify in advance what medical or other documentation the authorities require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to take a separate Einbürgerungstest if you already have a “Leben in Deutschland” certificate?

Usually not, provided you scored at least 17 correct answers out of 33 on the “Leben in Deutschland” test. The BAMF considers this result sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge required for citizenship.

If you got 15 or 16 correct answers on the LiD, is that enough?

For credit toward the Orientierungskurs—yes. For citizenship—no, because you need a score of at least 17 out of 33.

Can you take the test outside your home state?

Registration depends on the Prüfungsstelle, but the test itself includes three state-specific questions related to the state where you have your primary residence. It’s best to check this with the center and the Einbürgerungsbehörde before registering.

Is there an oral portion?

No. Both the Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland consist of written questions with multiple-choice answers.

Can you use a translation during the exam?

No. Preparatory translations can help you understand the topics, but the exam booklet and answers are written in German.