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Citizenship test questions on family, school and training

7 min readDiesen Ratgeber auf Deutsch lesen

The 26 questions on family and education test how family life, school and parenting are regulated in Germany. The main themes: compulsory schooling and religious education, kindergarten and the Abitur, the role of parents and the youth welfare office (Jugendamt), the age of majority, marriage to only one person at a time, getting married at the registry office and divorce after the separation year, plus maternity protection and parental allowance. Many questions are everyday scenes – an adult who wants to catch up on the Abitur, or parents who dislike their 22-year-old daughter's boyfriend. Study tip: nearly all answers follow two rules. While children are young, parents decide – but the child's welfare comes first (compulsory schooling, no violence, the Jugendamt). From 18, adults make their own decisions, including about partners and where they live. Keep those two rules in mind and the wrong options usually stand out.

What you should know

  • Most children are subject to compulsory schooling and must attend; the state supervises the school system because the Basic Law gives it this task.
  • Until a child turns 14, the parents decide whether it takes part in religious education classes.
  • Bringing up children is above all the parents' task (Article 6 of the Basic Law – see our Basic Law guide); they also decide whether their child goes to kindergarten.
  • From the age of 3 until they start school, children are entitled to a kindergarten place.
  • Hitting a child can be punished; parents with parenting problems can get help from the youth welfare office (Jugendamt), which can also remove a child from the family if it is beaten or goes hungry.
  • You come of age at 18: parents must respect their adult children's decisions, such as whom they live with – but an adult may not live as a couple with a child such as a 13-year-old (question 245).
  • You may be married to only one person at a time – a polygamous marriage also rules out naturalisation (citizenship requirements); same-sex couples may of course live together.
  • To get married you go first to the registry office (Standesamt); for a divorce, couples usually have to live apart for a separation year (Trennungsjahr) and need a lawyer.
  • Pregnant women and new mothers are protected by maternity protection (Mutterschutz); parental allowance (Elterngeld) is paid only if you apply to the Elterngeld office – it is not automatic.
  • University study normally requires the Abitur; adults can catch up on it at an evening grammar school (Abendgymnasium), and the Volkshochschule is an adult education centre.

The questions with the correct answer (26 questions)

Practise this topic

  1. Question 2

    In Germany, parents can decide until their child turns 14 whether the child takes part at school in …

    In Deutschland können Eltern bis zum 14. Lebensjahr ihres Kindes entscheiden, ob es in der Schule am …

    • history classes.
    • religious education classes. – Correct answer
    • politics classes.
    • language classes.

    In the test (German): Religionsunterricht teilnimmt.

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  2. Question 68

    Why does the state control the school system in Germany?

    Warum kontrolliert der Staat in Deutschland das Schulwesen?

    • because there are only state schools in Germany
    • because all pupils must have a school-leaving qualification
    • because there are different schools in the federal states
    • because it is its task under the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) – Correct answer

    In the test (German): weil es nach dem Grundgesetz seine Aufgabe ist

    View this question

  3. Question 95

    What applies to most children in Germany?

    Was gilt für die meisten Kinder in Deutschland?

    • Compulsory voting
    • Compulsory schooling – Correct answer
    • Duty of confidentiality
    • Compulsory religion

    In the test (German): Schulpflicht

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  4. Question 241

    Ms Seger is having a baby. What does she have to do to receive parental allowance (Elterngeld)?

    Frau Seger bekommt ein Kind. Was muss sie tun, um Elterngeld zu erhalten?

    • She has to write to her health insurance fund.
    • She has to submit an application to the parental allowance office. – Correct answer
    • She doesn't have to do anything, because she receives parental allowance automatically.
    • She has to ask the employment office for permission.

    In the test (German): Sie muss einen Antrag bei der Elterngeldstelle stellen.

    View this question

  5. Question 242

    Who decides whether a child in Germany goes to kindergarten?

    Wer entscheidet, ob ein Kind in Deutschland in den Kindergarten geht?

    • the state
    • the federal states
    • the parents/legal guardians – Correct answer
    • the schools

    In the test (German): die Eltern/die Erziehungsberechtigten

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  6. Question 244

    Which school-leaving qualification do you normally need to begin studying at a university in Germany?

    Welchen Schulabschluss braucht man normalerweise, um an einer Universität in Deutschland ein Studium zu beginnen?

    • the Abitur – Correct answer
    • a diploma
    • a power of attorney (Prokura)
    • a journeyman's examination

    In the test (German): das Abitur

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  7. Question 245

    Who is not allowed to live together as a couple in Germany?

    Wer darf in Deutschland nicht als Paar zusammenleben?

    • Hans (20 years old) and Marie (19 years old)
    • Tom (20 years old) and Klaus (45 years old)
    • Sofie (35 years old) and Lisa (40 years old)
    • Anne (13 years old) and Tim (25 years old) – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Anne (13 Jahre) und Tim (25 Jahre)

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  8. Question 246

    At what age does a person legally become an adult in Germany?

    Ab welchem Alter ist man in Deutschland volljährig?

    • 16
    • 18 – Correct answer
    • 19
    • 21

    In the test (German): 18

    View this question

  9. Question 247

    A woman is pregnant. Shortly before and after the birth of her child she is given special protection by law. What is this protection called?

    Eine Frau ist schwanger. Sie ist kurz vor und nach der Geburt ihres Kindes vom Gesetz besonders beschützt. Wie heißt dieser Schutz?

    • Parental leave
    • Maternity protection – Correct answer
    • Birth preparation
    • Postpartum period

    In the test (German): Mutterschutz

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  10. Question 248

    In Germany, bringing up children is above all the task …

    Die Erziehung der Kinder ist in Deutschland vor allem Aufgabe …

    • of the state.
    • of the parents. – Correct answer
    • of the grandparents.
    • of the schools.

    In the test (German): der Eltern.

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  11. Question 249

    Who is mainly responsible for bringing up children in Germany?

    Wer ist in Deutschland hauptsächlich verantwortlich für die Kindererziehung?

    • the state
    • the parents – Correct answer
    • the relatives
    • the schools

    In the test (German): die Eltern

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  12. Question 251

    If you hit a child in Germany, …

    Wenn man in Deutschland ein Kind schlägt, …

    • it's nobody else's business.
    • it's only the family's business.
    • you cannot be punished for it.
    • you can be punished for it. – Correct answer

    In the test (German): kann man dafür bestraft werden.

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  13. Question 252

    In Germany, …

    In Deutschland …

    • you may be married to only one partner at a time. – Correct answer
    • you can have several spouses at the same time.
    • you may not marry again once you have been married.
    • a woman may not marry again if her husband has died.

    In the test (German): darf man zur gleichen Zeit nur mit einer Partnerin/einem Partner verheiratet sein.

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  14. Question 254

    In Germany, married couples may get divorced. In most cases they have to observe the “separation year” (Trennungsjahr) to do so. What does this mean?

    In Deutschland dürfen Ehepaare sich scheiden lassen. Meistens müssen sie dazu das "Trennungsjahr" einhalten. Was bedeutet das?

    • The divorce proceedings take one year.
    • The spouses are married for one year, after which divorce is possible.
    • The visiting rights for the children apply for one year.
    • The spouses live their own lives separately for at least one year. After that, divorce is possible. – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Die Ehegatten führen mindestens ein Jahr getrennt ihr eigenes Leben. Danach ist die Scheidung möglich.

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  15. Question 255

    If they have problems bringing up their children, parents in Germany can get help from …

    Bei Erziehungsproblemen können Eltern in Deutschland Hilfe erhalten vom …

    • the public order office (Ordnungsamt).
    • the school authority (Schulamt).
    • the youth welfare office (Jugendamt). – Correct answer
    • the public health office (Gesundheitsamt).

    In the test (German): Jugendamt.

    View this question

  16. Question 257

    An adult woman in Germany wants to obtain the Abitur later in life. She can do this at …

    Eine erwachsene Frau möchte in Deutschland das Abitur nachholen. Das kann sie an …

    • an institution of higher education (Hochschule).
    • an evening grammar school (Abendgymnasium). – Correct answer
    • a lower secondary school (Hauptschule).
    • a private university.

    In the test (German): einem Abendgymnasium.

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  17. Question 258

    What is the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) in Germany allowed to do?

    Was darf das Jugendamt in Deutschland?

    • It decides which school the child attends.
    • It can remove a child who is beaten or has to go hungry from the family. – Correct answer
    • It pays child benefit to the parents.
    • It checks whether the child attends a kindergarten.

    In the test (German): Es kann ein Kind, das geschlagen wird oder hungern muss, aus der Familie nehmen.

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  18. Question 260

    In Germany, at school a child has …

    In Deutschland hat ein Kind in der Schule …

    • a right to unlimited free time.
    • a free choice of all subjects.
    • an entitlement to school money.
    • an obligation to attend. – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Anwesenheitspflicht.

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  19. Question 261

    A man aged 30 wants to obtain his Abitur later in life in Germany. Where can he do this? At …

    Ein Mann möchte mit 30 Jahren in Deutschland sein Abitur nachholen. Wo kann er das tun? An …

    • an institution of higher education (Hochschule).
    • an evening grammar school (Abendgymnasium). – Correct answer
    • a lower secondary school (Hauptschule).
    • a private university.

    In the test (German): einem Abendgymnasium.

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  20. Question 265

    Where do you first have to go in Germany if you want to get married?

    Wohin muss man in Deutschland zuerst gehen, wenn man heiraten möchte?

    • to the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
    • to the public order office (Ordnungsamt)
    • to the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit)
    • to the registry office (Standesamt) – Correct answer

    In the test (German): zum Standesamt

    View this question

  21. Question 267

    A young woman in Germany, 22 years old, lives with her boyfriend. The woman's parents don't approve because they don't like the boyfriend. What can the parents do?

    Eine junge Frau in Deutschland, 22 Jahre alt, lebt mit ihrem Freund zusammen. Die Eltern der Frau finden das nicht gut, weil ihnen der Freund nicht gefällt. Was können die Eltern tun?

    • They must respect the decision of their adult daughter. – Correct answer
    • They have the right to bring their daughter back to the parental home.
    • They can go to the police and report their daughter.
    • They look for another man for their daughter.

    In the test (German): Sie müssen die Entscheidung der volljährigen Tochter respektieren.

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  22. Question 269

    In Germany, from the age of three until they start school, children are entitled to …

    In Deutschland haben Kinder ab dem Alter von drei Jahren bis zur Ersteinschulung einen Anspruch auf …

    • monthly pocket money.
    • a place in a sports club.
    • a kindergarten place. – Correct answer
    • a holiday pass.

    In the test (German): einen Kindergartenplatz.

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  23. Question 270

    The Volkshochschule in Germany is an institution …

    Die Volkshochschule in Deutschland ist eine Einrichtung …

    • for religious education.
    • only for young people.
    • for further education. – Correct answer
    • only for pensioners.

    In the test (German): zur Weiterbildung.

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  24. Question 272

    Which form of living together is not allowed in Germany?

    Welche Lebensform ist in Deutschland nicht erlaubt?

    • A man and a woman are divorced and live with new partners.
    • Two women live together.
    • A single father lives with his two children.
    • A man is married to two women at the same time. – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Ein Mann ist mit zwei Frauen zur selben Zeit verheiratet.

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  25. Question 273

    If you have problems bringing up your children in Germany, you go …

    Bei Erziehungsproblemen gehen Sie in Deutschland …

    • to the doctor.
    • to the public health office (Gesundheitsamt).
    • to the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
    • to the youth welfare office (Jugendamt). – Correct answer

    In the test (German): zum Jugendamt.

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  26. Question 275

    What do you need in Germany to get a divorce?

    Was braucht man in Deutschland für eine Ehescheidung?

    • the consent of the parents
    • a medical certificate from a doctor
    • the consent of the children
    • the support of a lawyer – Correct answer

    In the test (German): die Unterstützung einer Anwältin/eines Anwalts

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More topics

Frequently asked questions

How many family and education questions are in the citizenship test?

26 of the 300 general questions belong to this topic. There's no fixed number per test; on average it works out at 2 to 3 of your 30 general questions.

What does the Jugendamt do?

The youth welfare office (Jugendamt) advises and supports parents who have problems bringing up their children. If a child is in danger – for example because it is beaten or goes hungry – it can also take the child out of the family.

What is the Trennungsjahr (separation year)?

Before a marriage can be dissolved, the spouses usually have to have lived apart for at least a year. For the divorce itself you need a lawyer, because it is filed at the family court.

Keep reading

All guides

This guide is not legal advice. Laws and administrative practice can change; your naturalisation authority's information is binding.