The Citizenship Test in Germany (Einbürgerungstest or Leben in Deutschland) is a test that many people who migrate to Germany must pass during the visa or citizenship process. As Vasistdas.de, we have translated all the questions from German to English with the support of professional translators, the details are at the end of our article. But first, we recommend that you understand this test thoroughly.
Let’s answer the question “Are Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland the same?” at the beginning, yes, they are exactly the same. In some cases, you may also need to pass this test, for example to extend your residence permit in Germany or to obtain a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis).
As for citizenship: Having a German passport gives you many advantages, such as the right to vote in Germany, the right to work and free movement within the European Union. For many of us, the biggest advantage of German citizenship is freedom of movement.
According to the Henley Passport Index, the German passport will be the first most valuable passport in 2024.
Requirements for German Citizenship
To obtain German citizenship, you need to fulfill several requirements and prepare various documents, including passing the German naturalization test (Einbürgerungstest). For instance, under the Immigration Law, if you wish to become a German citizen, you must prove your proficiency in German at a B1 level and have lived in Germany for a considerable period. For more details on the paths to German citizenship and the application requirements, check out the official web page of Germany.
One of the key requirements for citizenship is passing the naturalization test in Germany. Successfully completing the test demonstrates your knowledge of life in Germany and your understanding of the legal and social order, which are essential for becoming a German citizen.
In German, the naturalization test is referred to as “Leben in Deutschland” (Life in Germany) or “Einbürgerungstest” (Citizenship Test).
What is the Naturalization test in Germany (Einbürgerungstest)?
The German naturalization test, known as the Einbürgerungstest or Leben in Deutschland test, consists of 33 questions provided in a test booklet, which is completed in a physical setting with pen and paper. Here are some key points you should know about the test:
- The 33 questions are randomly selected from a pool of 460 questions, based on the state you reside in. If you memorize all the answers in the question pool, you can finish the test in about 10 minutes.
- You have 60 minutes to complete the test, but you can leave early if you finish ahead of time.
- Each question requires you to choose the correct answer from four options.
- To pass the test and qualify for citizenship, you need to answer at least 17 out of the 33 questions correctly.
- The 33 questions are divided into two categories:
- 30 questions cover general topics like the social system, basic rights, and daily life in Germany. These are the same for everyone taking the test in Germany but are selected from a pool of 300 general questions.
- The remaining 3 questions are specific to your state, selected from a set of 10 questions tailored to your region.
After you officially take the Einbürgerungstest or Leben in Deutschland test, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany will mail you a certificate with your personal test results. It usually takes about a month to receive this document.
Where to take the citizenship test in Germany?
To take the German naturalization test, you need to book an appointment at your local VHS (Volkshochschule) or other private institutions offering German language courses. You can find test centers near you by searching online (e.g., “Einbürgerungstest near me”).
Practice for the German Naturalization Test for free
When you take the official Einbürgerungstest or Leben in Deutschland test in Germany, you’ll encounter only German questions and answers. To prepare, the Vasistdas.de Germany Life Guide has translated all 460 possible questions (300 general questions, 160 state-specific questions) from German to Turkish with the help of professional translators.
The German questions and answers on our site are official, sourced from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. As of 2024, the citizenship questions have been updated. For instance, to raise awareness and prevent anti-Semitism in Germany, the updated test includes several questions on this topic. An example of a new question is:
What is the name of a Jewish place of worship?
- Basilica
- Mosque
- Synagogue
- Church
To start practicing for the German naturalization test right now, click the link below, select your state, and begin the test.
Remember: The English translations provided on our site for Naturalization test in Germany are only meant to help you understand the material. The official test will not include questions and answers in English.
By the way, if you’d like to watch a video about this test, feel free to visit our YouTube channel 🙂 Just to do not forget to enable subtitles.
Hayatta bir amaç için yaşayabilmek çok önemli, hayata tutunmayı sağlıyor ve hayata anlam katıyor. Türkiye’de sosyal yapının baskısıyla bir yarış atı tadında yetiştirilmemizden dolayı, 30’lu yaşlarda büyük bir şirkette üst düzey yönetici olma hayaliyle ile yaşıyordum.
Almanya’ya 2010 yılında taşındım, hem kendime hem de hayallarime daha fazla zaman ayırabileceğimi farkettiğim ilk yıllarda, afalladım. Öncelik Türkiye’deki ekonomi lisans eğitimimi pekiştirmesi için Fransa’da işletme yüksek lisansı yaptım. Sonra da İngiltere’nin köylerinden birisine 6 aylık bir proje için gittiğim günlerde düşünmek için bol bol zamanım oldu. Yaş 40’a yaklaşırken, insanın hala “büyüyünce ne olmak istiyorum?” demesi, ne güzel.
Şimdiki amacım hobi olarak Vasistdas’ı destekleyerek Türkiye’den gelen göçmenlerin Almanya’da birbirleriyle sağlıklı bir iletişim kurmalarını sağlayarak Almanya’daki uyum süreçlerini hızlandırmak.