Test questions by topic
Citizenship test questions on religion, culture and community
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With 16 questions, religion, culture and community is the smallest topic – and one of the easiest, because many answers come from everyday life. You will be asked about religious tolerance, the influence of Christianity and church tax, Christian festivals and customs (Advent, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Rose Monday), volunteering and election workers, rules in rented housing such as house rules and quiet time from 10 p.m., and migration. Three questions describe a job application and ask what counts as discrimination. Study tip: these three discrimination questions always work the same way – someone doesn't get a job “solely because …”. The right answer is always the personal characteristic (skin colour, a wheelchair, being a mother), never job-related suitability such as experience, language skills or salary expectations.
What you should know
- Religious tolerance means everyone can believe what they want – the state prescribes no faith to anyone (Basic Law guide).
- Christianity has shaped European and German culture, which is why many public holidays are Christian, such as Pentecost (Pfingsten).
- Church members pay church tax (Kirchensteuer), which is linked to income and wage tax – that's why your tax return asks about your religious affiliation.
- The four weeks before Christmas are Advent; at Christmas people decorate a fir tree, at Easter they paint eggs, and on Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) they wear colourful costumes and masks – more in our guide to German public holidays.
- Volunteering (ehrenamtliche Arbeit) means working voluntarily and unpaid, for example in clubs and associations.
- German citizens must take on the voluntary role of election worker (Wahlhelfer/in) if they are asked to.
- The statutory night-time quiet period starts at 10 p.m., and the house rules (Hausordnung) of a block of flats set out rules that all residents must follow (question 266).
- It is discrimination if someone doesn't get a job solely because of their skin colour, a wheelchair or being a mother – lack of experience, language skills or high salary expectations are generally legitimate reasons.
- Most migrants to Germany have come from Turkey.
The questions with the correct answer (16 questions)
Practise this topicQuestion 132
Many people in Germany work in an honorary capacity (ehrenamtlich) in their free time. What does that mean?
Viele Menschen in Deutschland arbeiten in ihrer Freizeit ehrenamtlich. Was bedeutet das?
- They work as soldiers.
- They work voluntarily and without pay in clubs and associations. – Correct answer
- They work in the Federal Government.
- They work in a hospital and earn money doing so.
In the test (German): Sie arbeiten freiwillig und unbezahlt in Vereinen und Verbänden.
View this questionQuestion 264
At which celebration do people in Germany wear colourful costumes and masks?
Zu welchem Fest tragen Menschen in Deutschland bunte Kostüme und Masken?
- on Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) – Correct answer
- on May Day
- at the Oktoberfest
- at Pentecost
In the test (German): am Rosenmontag
View this questionQuestion 266
When does the statutory night-time quiet period begin in Germany?
Wann beginnt die gesetzliche Nachtruhe in Deutschland?
- when the sun goes down
- when the neighbours go to bed
- at 0:00, midnight
- at 22:00 – Correct answer
In the test (German): um 22 Uhr
View this questionQuestion 271
What is a Christmas custom in Germany?
Was ist in Deutschland ein Brauch zu Weihnachten?
- hiding colourful eggs
- decorating a fir tree – Correct answer
- dressing up in masks and costumes
- putting pumpkins outside the front door
In the test (German): einen Tannenbaum schmücken
View this questionQuestion 277
A woman with a two-year-old child applies for a job in Germany. What is an example of discrimination? She does not get the job solely because she …
Eine Frau, die ein zweijähriges Kind hat, bewirbt sich in Deutschland um eine Stelle. Was ist ein Beispiel für Diskriminierung? Sie bekommt die Stelle nur deshalb nicht, weil sie …
- doesn't speak English.
- has salary expectations that are too high.
- has no experience in this profession.
- is a mother. – Correct answer
In the test (German): Mutter ist.
View this questionQuestion 278
A man in a wheelchair has applied for a job as an accountant. What is an example of discrimination? He does not get the job solely because he …
Ein Mann im Rollstuhl hat sich auf eine Stelle als Buchhalter beworben. Was ist ein Beispiel für Diskriminierung? Er bekommt die Stelle nur deshalb nicht, weil er …
- uses a wheelchair. – Correct answer
- has no experience.
- has salary expectations that are too high.
- doesn't speak English.
In the test (German): im Rollstuhl sitzt.
View this questionQuestion 279
Most rented apartment buildings in Germany have “house rules” (Hausordnung). What do such “house rules” contain? They list …
In den meisten Mietshäusern in Deutschland gibt es eine "Hausordnung". Was steht in einer solchen "Hausordnung"? Sie nennt …
- rules for using public transport.
- all the tenants in the building.
- rules that all residents must follow. – Correct answer
- the address of the nearest public order office (Ordnungsamt).
In the test (German): Regeln, an die sich alle Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner halten müssen.
View this questionQuestion 282
Which volunteering role (Ehrenamt) must German citizens take on if they are asked to?
Welches Ehrenamt müssen deutsche Staatsbürgerinnen und Staatsbürger übernehmen, wenn sie dazu aufgefordert werden?
- Club coach
- Election helper – Correct answer
- Library supervisor
- Teacher
In the test (German): Wahlhelferin/Wahlhelfer
View this questionQuestion 289
A man with dark skin applies for a job as a waiter in a restaurant in Germany. What is an example of discrimination? He does not get the job solely because …
Ein Mann mit dunkler Hautfarbe bewirbt sich um eine Stelle als Kellner in einem Restaurant in Deutschland. Was ist ein Beispiel für Diskriminierung? Er bekommt die Stelle nur deshalb nicht, weil …
- his knowledge of German is too limited.
- he has salary expectations that are too high.
- he has dark skin. – Correct answer
- he has no experience in the profession.
In the test (German): er eine dunkle Haut hat.
View this questionQuestion 291
Why do you have to state on your tax return in Germany whether or not you belong to a church? Because …
Warum muss man in Deutschland bei der Steuererklärung aufschreiben, ob man zu einer Kirche gehört oder nicht? Weil …
- there is a church tax that is linked to income tax and wage tax. – Correct answer
- this is important for statistics in Germany.
- you have to pay more tax if you don't belong to a church.
- the church is responsible for the tax return.
In the test (German): es eine Kirchensteuer gibt, die an die Einkommen- und Lohnsteuer geknüpft ist.
View this questionQuestion 292
People in Germany live according to the principle of religious tolerance. What does this mean?
Die Menschen in Deutschland leben nach dem Grundsatz der religiösen Toleranz. Was bedeutet das?
- No mosques may be built.
- All people believe in God.
- Everyone can believe what they want. – Correct answer
- The state decides which God people believe in.
In the test (German): Jeder kann glauben, was er möchte.
View this questionQuestion 293
What is an Easter custom in Germany?
Was ist in Deutschland ein Brauch zu Ostern?
- putting pumpkins outside the front door
- decorating a fir tree
- painting eggs – Correct answer
- firing rockets into the air
In the test (German): Eier bemalen
View this questionQuestion 294
Pentecost is …
Pfingsten ist ein …
- a Christian holiday. – Correct answer
- a German day of remembrance.
- an international day of mourning.
- a Bavarian custom.
In the test (German): christlicher Feiertag.
View this questionQuestion 295
Which religion has shaped European and German culture?
Welche Religion hat die europäische und deutsche Kultur geprägt?
- Hinduism
- Christianity – Correct answer
- Buddhism
- Islam
In the test (German): das Christentum
View this questionQuestion 296
In Germany, the last four weeks before Christmas are called …
In Deutschland nennt man die letzten vier Wochen vor Weihnachten …
- the Day of Repentance and Prayer (Buß- und Bettag).
- the harvest festival (Erntedankfest).
- the Advent season (Adventszeit). – Correct answer
- All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen).
In the test (German): die Adventszeit.
View this questionQuestion 297
From which country have most migrants come to Germany?
Aus welchem Land sind die meisten Migrantinnen und Migranten nach Deutschland gekommen?
- Italy
- Poland
- Morocco
- Turkey – Correct answer
In the test (German): Türkei
View this question
More topics
Frequently asked questions
How many questions on religion and community are in the citizenship test?
With 16 of the 300 general questions, this is our smallest topic. On average one or two of your 30 general questions come from it – but there's no fixed number.
When does quiet time start at night in Germany?
At 10 p.m. (22:00) – which is also the right answer in the citizenship test. Other quiet periods, for example at weekends, are often set out in your building's house rules (Hausordnung).
Do you have to pay church tax in Germany?
Only if you are a member of a church or religious community that levies church tax (Kirchensteuer). It is tied to wage and income tax – which is why your tax return asks about your religious affiliation.
Keep reading
- Knowledge for the testPublic holidays in Germany and what they meanGerman Unity Day, Easter, Christmas and more: which public holidays Germany has, what they commemorate and what the citizenship test asks about them.
- 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.
- Test questions by topicCitizenship test questions on the Basic Law and fundamental rightsEvery citizenship test question on the Basic Law, fundamental rights and the rule of law, with the correct answer and the key facts behind it.
This guide is not legal advice. Laws and administrative practice can change; your naturalisation authority's information is binding.