The 10 New Antisemitism Questions in the Einbürgerungstest

Since March 2024, the BAMF question catalog includes 10 new questions on antisemitism, the Holocaust, Jewish life in Germany, and Germany's special historical responsibility. These questions are part of the general catalog and can appear in any exam. Here you'll learn what's behind the questions and how to prepare.

Why were these new questions added?

The German government added the 10 new questions to the catalog in March 2024. The background is Germany's special historical responsibility toward the Jewish people. The questions ensure that naturalization applicants have a basic understanding of this topic.

The questions were added to the existing catalog, expanding the general question pool.

What topics do the questions cover?

The 10 new questions revolve around these core topics:

The Holocaust and the Nazi era

• What was the Holocaust; the systematic murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis
• What were concentration camps and what role did they play in the Nazi regime
• Germany's responsibility for these crimes

Jewish life in Germany

• The long history of Jewish life in Germany; for over 1,700 years
• The contribution of Jewish culture to German society
• The Jewish community in Germany today

Antisemitism and the present

• What is antisemitism and why is it prohibited in Germany
• The existence of the State of Israel and its significance
• Why antisemitism is incompatible with the values of the Basic Law

What you need to know for the exam

The key facts you should remember:

• Holocaust: Systematic genocide of 6 million Jews (1941-1945)
• Antisemitism: Hostility toward Jews; punishable in Germany and incompatible with the Basic Law
• Article 1 GG: Human dignity is inviolable; applies to all people, regardless of origin or religion
• Special responsibility: Germany bears a special responsibility in the fight against antisemitism due to its history
• Jewish life: Jews have lived in Germany for over 1,700 years and are part of German society

Preparation tips

The antisemitism questions are not difficult in terms of content if you understand the historical context. Here's how to prepare:

• Learn the basic facts: Holocaust, 6 million victims, Nazi era 1933-1945
• Understand the context: Why does Germany bear a special responsibility?
• Pay attention to wording: The questions test basic knowledge, not detailed knowledge. It's about understanding the values
• Use the translation feature: If terms like "Antisemitismus" or "Holocaust" are difficult for you linguistically, have them translated