Test questions by topic
Citizenship test questions on the Basic Law and fundamental rights
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This part asks about the ground rules the German state is built on. The catalogue has 32 questions on it. Most are about fundamental rights: freedom of expression and of the press, human dignity (Article 1), equal treatment, freedom of belief, freedom of movement, privacy of correspondence and the right to asylum. Other favourites are Germany's form of state (a republic and a “democratic and social federation”, not a monarchy), the rule of law (Rechtsstaat), popular sovereignty, the separation of state and religion, and when a party can be banned. Study tip: many questions are negative (“What is not …?”, “What does the Basic Law prohibit?”). Read them twice and test each option against one question: does this fit human dignity, freedom and the rule of law? Censorship, torture, the death penalty and arrest without reason never do – when they appear in a “not” question, they are usually exactly the answer you want.
What you should know
- Germany's constitution is called the Basic Law (Grundgesetz); it was promulgated on 23 May 1949 (question 6).
- Article 1 opens with the sentence “Human dignity shall be inviolable.”
- Freedom of expression means you may say what you think openly – online too, and against the government; the limits include spreading false claims about individual people and displaying Nazi, Hamas or Islamic State symbols.
- Freedom of the press is a fundamental right and cannot be abolished – not even by a majority in the Bundestag (question 12).
- Other rights that come up are freedom of belief and conscience, freedom of movement (Freizügigkeit) – you choose where you live – and the privacy of correspondence (Briefgeheimnis): you may not open other people's letters.
- The fundamental right to asylum applies only to foreigners.
- Everyone is equal before the law and the state may not disadvantage anyone, for example because of skin colour or a disability – but the Basic Law does not say everyone should have the same amount of money.
- A fine is compatible with the Basic Law; the death penalty, torture and corporal punishment are ruled out, and forced labour is prohibited.
- Germany is a republic and a democratic and social federation – not a monarchy – and all state authority is derived from the people (popular sovereignty).
- Under the rule of law (Rechtsstaat) everyone, including the state, must obey the law; state and religion are separate, and a party that fights the constitution can be banned – see our guide to the Basic Law and fundamental rights.
The questions with the correct answer (32 questions)
Practise this topicQuestion 1
In Germany, people may openly speak out against the government because …
In Deutschland dürfen Menschen offen etwas gegen die Regierung sagen, weil …
- freedom of religion applies here.
- people pay taxes.
- people have the right to vote.
- freedom of expression applies here. – Correct answer
In the test (German): hier Meinungsfreiheit gilt.
View this questionQuestion 3
Germany is a constitutional state (Rechtsstaat). What does this mean?
Deutschland ist ein Rechtsstaat. Was ist damit gemeint?
- All residents and the state must abide by the laws. – Correct answer
- The state does not have to abide by the laws.
- Only Germans have to obey the laws.
- The courts make the laws.
In the test (German): Alle Einwohnerinnen/Einwohner und der Staat müssen sich an die Gesetze halten.
View this questionQuestion 4
Which right is one of the fundamental rights in Germany?
Welches Recht gehört zu den Grundrechten in Deutschland?
- Gun ownership
- Law of the fist
- Freedom of expression – Correct answer
- Vigilante justice
In the test (German): Meinungsfreiheit
View this questionQuestion 6
What is the German constitution called?
Wie heißt die deutsche Verfassung?
- People's Law (Volksgesetz)
- Federal Law (Bundesgesetz)
- German Law (Deutsches Gesetz)
- Basic Law (Grundgesetz) – Correct answer
In the test (German): Grundgesetz
View this questionQuestion 7
Which right is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the German constitution? The right to …
Welches Recht gehört zu den Grundrechten, die nach der deutschen Verfassung garantiert werden? Das Recht auf …
- freedom of belief and conscience – Correct answer
- entertainment
- work
- housing
In the test (German): Glaubens- und Gewissensfreiheit
View this questionQuestion 8
What is not in Germany's Basic Law (Grundgesetz)?
Was steht nicht im Grundgesetz von Deutschland?
- Human dignity shall be inviolable.
- Everyone should have the same amount of money. – Correct answer
- Every person may express their opinion.
- Everyone is equal before the law.
In the test (German): Alle sollen gleich viel Geld haben.
View this questionQuestion 9
Which fundamental right applies in Germany only to foreigners? The fundamental right to …
Welches Grundrecht gilt in Deutschland nur für Ausländerinnen/Ausländer? Das Grundrecht auf …
- protection of the family
- human dignity
- asylum – Correct answer
- freedom of expression
In the test (German): Asyl
View this questionQuestion 10
What is compatible with the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz)?
Was ist mit dem deutschen Grundgesetz vereinbar?
- corporal punishment
- torture
- the death penalty
- a fine – Correct answer
In the test (German): die Geldstrafe
View this questionQuestion 11
What is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany called?
Wie wird die Verfassung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland genannt?
- Basic Law (Grundgesetz) – Correct answer
- Federal Constitution (Bundesverfassung)
- Statute book (Gesetzbuch)
- Constitutional Treaty (Verfassungsvertrag)
In the test (German): Grundgesetz
View this questionQuestion 12
A party in the German Bundestag (federal parliament) wants to abolish freedom of the press. Is this possible?
Eine Partei im Deutschen Bundestag will die Pressefreiheit abschaffen. Ist das möglich?
- Yes, if more than half of the members of the Bundestag are in favour.
- Yes, but for that two thirds of the members of the Bundestag must be in favour.
- No, because freedom of the press is a fundamental right. It cannot be abolished. – Correct answer
- No, because only the Bundesrat (federal council) can abolish freedom of the press.
In the test (German): Nein, denn die Pressefreiheit ist ein Grundrecht. Sie kann nicht abgeschafft werden.
View this questionQuestion 14
Freedom of expression in Germany means that I …
Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland heißt, dass ich …
- may insult passers-by on the street.
- can express my opinion on the internet. – Correct answer
- may publicly wear Nazi, Hamas or Islamic State symbols.
- may only express my opinion as long as I do not contradict the government.
In the test (German): meine Meinung im Internet äußern kann.
View this questionQuestion 15
What does the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) prohibit?
Was verbietet das deutsche Grundgesetz?
- Military service
- Forced labour – Correct answer
- Free choice of occupation
- Working abroad
In the test (German): Zwangsarbeit
View this questionQuestion 16
When is freedom of expression restricted in Germany?
Wann ist die Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland eingeschränkt?
- when false claims about individual persons are spread publicly – Correct answer
- when opinions are expressed about the federal government
- in discussions about religions
- when the state is criticised
In the test (German): bei der öffentlichen Verbreitung falscher Behauptungen über einzelne Personen
View this questionQuestion 17
German laws prohibit …
Die deutschen Gesetze verbieten …
- freedom of expression for residents.
- petitions by citizens.
- freedom of assembly for residents.
- unequal treatment of citizens by the state. – Correct answer
In the test (German): Ungleichbehandlung der Bürgerinnen und Bürger durch den Staat.
View this questionQuestion 18
Which fundamental right is guaranteed in Article 1 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of the Federal Republic of Germany?
Welches Grundrecht ist in Artikel 1 des Grundgesetzes der Bundesrepublik Deutschland garantiert?
- the inviolability of human dignity – Correct answer
- the right to life
- freedom of religion
- freedom of expression
In the test (German): die Unantastbarkeit der Menschenwürde
View this questionQuestion 19
What is meant by the right to “freedom of movement” (Freizügigkeit) in Germany?
Was versteht man unter dem Recht der "Freizügigkeit" in Deutschland?
- You may choose your place of residence yourself. – Correct answer
- You can change your job.
- You may decide to adopt a different religion.
- You may only move about in public lightly dressed.
In the test (German): Man darf sich seinen Wohnort selbst aussuchen.
View this questionQuestion 20
A party in Germany pursues the goal of establishing a dictatorship. It is then …
Eine Partei in Deutschland verfolgt das Ziel, eine Diktatur zu errichten. Sie ist dann …
- tolerant.
- committed to the rule of law.
- law-abiding.
- unconstitutional. – Correct answer
In the test (German): verfassungswidrig.
View this questionQuestion 22
What form of state does Germany have?
Was für eine Staatsform hat Deutschland?
- Monarchy
- Dictatorship
- Republic – Correct answer
- Principality
In the test (German): Republik
View this questionQuestion 26
Germany is …
Deutschland ist …
- a communist republic.
- a democratic and social federation. – Correct answer
- a capitalist and social monarchy.
- a social and socialist federation.
In the test (German): ein demokratischer und sozialer Bundesstaat.
View this questionQuestion 27
Germany is …
Deutschland ist …
- a socialist state.
- a federation. – Correct answer
- a dictatorship.
- a monarchy.
In the test (German): ein Bundesstaat.
View this questionQuestion 30
What is not a feature of our democracy?
Was ist kein Merkmal unserer Demokratie?
- regular elections
- press censorship – Correct answer
- freedom of expression
- different parties
In the test (German): Pressezensur
View this questionQuestion 33
Which statement is correct? In Germany …
Welche Aussage ist richtig? In Deutschland …
- the state and religious communities are separate from each other. – Correct answer
- the religious communities form the state.
- the state is dependent on the religious communities.
- the state and religious communities form a single entity.
In the test (German): sind Staat und Religionsgemeinschaften voneinander getrennt.
View this questionQuestion 34
What is Germany not?
Was ist Deutschland nicht?
- a democracy
- a constitutional state (Rechtsstaat)
- a monarchy – Correct answer
- a welfare state
In the test (German): eine Monarchie
View this questionQuestion 38
The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social …
Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist ein demokratischer und sozialer …
- union of states.
- federation. – Correct answer
- confederation of states.
- centralised state.
In the test (German): Bundesstaat.
View this questionQuestion 43
When can a party be banned in Germany?
Wann kann in Deutschland eine Partei verboten werden?
- if its election campaign is too expensive
- if it fights against the constitution – Correct answer
- if it criticises the head of state
- if its programme proposes a new direction
In the test (German): wenn sie gegen die Verfassung kämpft
View this questionQuestion 51
It is not part of a democratic constitutional state (Rechtsstaat) that …
Zu einem demokratischen Rechtsstaat gehört es nicht, dass …
- people can express critical views about the government.
- citizens are allowed to demonstrate peacefully.
- people are arrested by a private police force without reason. – Correct answer
- someone commits a crime and is arrested for it.
In the test (German): Menschen von einer Privatpolizei ohne Grund verhaftet werden.
View this questionQuestion 52
What does “popular sovereignty” mean? All state authority is derived from the ...
Was bedeutet "Volkssouveränität"? Alle Staatsgewalt geht vom ...
- people. – Correct answer
- Bundestag (federal parliament).
- Prussian king.
- Federal Constitutional Court.
In the test (German): Volke aus.
View this questionQuestion 53
What does “Rechtsstaat” (constitutional state) mean in Germany?
Was bedeutet "Rechtsstaat" in Deutschland?
- The state is right.
- There are only right-wing parties.
- The citizens decide on laws.
- The state must abide by the laws. – Correct answer
In the test (German): Der Staat muss die Gesetze einhalten.
View this questionQuestion 61
What does “popular sovereignty” mean?
Was bedeutet "Volkssouveränität"?
- The monarch rules over the people.
- The Federal Constitutional Court stands above the constitution.
- Interest groups exercise sovereignty together with the government.
- State authority is derived from the people. – Correct answer
In the test (German): Die Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus.
View this questionQuestion 262
What does the principle of equal treatment mean in Germany?
Was bedeutet in Deutschland der Grundsatz der Gleichbehandlung?
- No one may be disadvantaged, e.g. because of a disability. – Correct answer
- You may disadvantage other people if there are sufficient personal reasons for doing so.
- No one may take legal action against people if they have been disadvantaged.
- It is the law for everyone to donate money to disadvantaged groups every year.
In the test (German): Niemand darf z.B. wegen einer Behinderung benachteiligt werden.
View this questionQuestion 274
In Germany, you have deliberately opened a letter addressed to another person. What have you failed to respect?
Sie haben in Deutschland absichtlich einen Brief geöffnet, der an eine andere Person adressiert ist. Was haben Sie nicht beachtet?
- the right to remain silent
- the privacy of correspondence – Correct answer
- the duty of confidentiality
- freedom of expression
In the test (German): das Briefgeheimnis
View this questionQuestion 281
Two friends want to go to a public swimming pool in Germany. Both have dark skin and are refused entry for this reason. Which right is being violated in this situation? The right to …
Zwei Freunde wollen in ein öffentliches Schwimmbad in Deutschland. Beide haben eine dunkle Hautfarbe und werden deshalb nicht hineingelassen. Welches Recht wird in dieser Situation verletzt? Das Recht auf …
- freedom of expression
- equal treatment – Correct answer
- freedom of assembly
- freedom of movement
In the test (German): Gleichbehandlung
View this question
More topics
Frequently asked questions
How many Basic Law questions are in the German citizenship test?
There's no fixed number: your test has 30 general questions taken from a catalogue of 300, and 32 of those are about the Basic Law and fundamental rights. On average that works out at about 3, but it can be more or fewer – and the grouping into topics is ours, not the BAMF's.
Which fundamental right applies only to foreigners?
The right to asylum (Article 16a of the Basic Law): people persecuted on political grounds are entitled to asylum. Many other fundamental rights, such as human dignity and freedom of expression and belief, apply to everyone in Germany.
What does Rechtsstaat mean?
It means the rule of law: the law applies to everyone – to the people who live here as much as to the government, public authorities and the police. No one may be arrested without reason, and you can have decisions by the state reviewed by independent courts.
Keep reading
- Knowledge for the testThe Basic Law and fundamental rights: what you need to knowHuman dignity, freedom of expression, equality and freedom of religion: the fundamental rights in Germany's Basic Law and its core principles, explained simply.
- Citizenship: requirements & applicationThe loyalty declaration for German citizenship explainedWhat you sign when you naturalise, what Germany's free democratic basic order means, and which attitudes and actions rule out German citizenship.
- Test questions by topicCitizenship test questions on the state and its institutionsBundestag, Bundesrat, federal president, chancellor and federalism: every test question on how the German state works, with the correct answer.
This guide is not legal advice. Laws and administrative practice can change; your naturalisation authority's information is binding.