The German citizenship test: format, questions and pass mark

The German citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest) has 33 multiple-choice questions and you get 60 minutes to answer them. 30 questions are general and 3 are about your federal state. Each question has four possible answers, exactly one of which is correct. You pass with at least 17 correct answers – just over half.

The test in numbers

Where the questions come from

Every question is taken from the official question catalogue (Gesamtfragenkatalog) published by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The current version is dated 7 May 2025 ("Stand 07.05.2025"). It contains 460 questions: 300 general ones and 10 for each of the 16 federal states. Only 310 matter to you – the 300 general questions and the 10 for your state.

Your state questions depend on where you live (your main residence), not on where the test centre is (§ 1(2) Einbürgerungstestverordnung, the regulation governing the test). If you live in Brandenburg but take the test in Berlin, you get Brandenburg questions. So make sure you choose the right state when you practise.

The most recent change to the test took effect on 1 July 2024. 17 general and 8 state questions were replaced, several of them about Jewish life, Israel and antisemitism; the total number stayed the same. If you study from an older book or PDF, you will be learning some questions that no longer exist.

What a question looks like

Here is question 1 from the catalogue: "In Germany, people may openly speak out against the government because …" The four options are "freedom of religion applies here", "people pay taxes", "people have the right to vote" and "freedom of expression applies here". The correct answer is "freedom of expression applies here" (in German: „hier Meinungsfreiheit gilt“).

That pattern is typical: one or two options are clearly wrong and two sound plausible. Some questions use images, such as coats of arms, a map or a ballot paper – see all picture questions with answers. The test itself is in German only.

A paper test: how to fill in the sheet

The Einbürgerungstest is done on paper. You receive a test sheet with your personal details already printed on the cover page, such as your name, date and place of birth, and address. Check these first: you correct any mistakes directly on the cover page and sign to confirm that the details are right. According to the regulation there are 100 different test papers, and none of them are published. Nobody at your session gets the same paper as you (§ 2(3)). You can't memorise "your" paper, but you can know every single question on it.

The BAMF's sample sheet explains how to mark your answers:

1. Put a cross in the box in front of the correct answer.
2. To change an answer, fill in the old box completely and cross the new one.
3. To go back to your first choice, fill in the second box as well and draw a circle around the first filled-in box.

Only answers marked according to these rules are counted. Your result is simply the number of correct answers, and a wrong answer costs you nothing – so never leave a question blank.

On the day

The test takes place at a BAMF-approved test centre (Prüfstelle), usually a Volkshochschule (VHS). Local details vary, but the day normally runs like this:

1. Arrive on time. Latecomers may not be admitted – check with your centre if you are unsure.
2. ID check. Show a valid official photo ID, for example your passport. Without it you will normally not be admitted.
3. Seating. The invigilator shows you where to sit and explains the rules.
4. The test. It is supervised. Only your test sheet and a pen are allowed on the desk – no phones, notes or dictionaries. The invigilator will not answer questions about the content. Bring a pen.
5. Hand in. You hand in the sheet after 60 minutes at the latest. You don't get a result on the spot.

60 minutes works out at almost 2 minutes per question. If you have practised the catalogue, that is plenty, because you will recognise most questions straight away.

After the test: marking and certificate

The test centre does not mark your paper. The BAMF marks all tests centrally and sends your result by post. This normally takes around 6–8 weeks; at the end of September 2026 it was taking considerably longer, about 11–12 weeks.

If you pass, you receive a certificate, usually called the "Zertifikat Einbürgerungstest". It remains valid if you move to another state, and you submit it with your citizenship application. Read more in citizenship test results and certificate.

Fees, registration and retakes

Each attempt costs €25. You register directly with a test centre – how to register for the citizenship test explains how, and why you should book early in big cities. If you don't pass, you can retake the test as often as you need: see failed the citizenship test? what to do next.

If you are on an integration course, you will sit the "Leben in Deutschland" test at the end, and a score of at least 17 counts as a passed citizenship test – see Leben in Deutschland vs. the citizenship test. Some people don't have to take any test at all, for example if they have a German school-leaving certificate: citizenship test exemptions.

How to prepare

Because every question is public, preparation is very predictable. Start by learning the 310 questions for your state, one topic at a time. Then take several full practice exams with 33 questions in 60 minutes and no help – just like the real thing. The BAMF's own Online-Testcenter also has a free sample test.