Einbürgerungstest: Everything You Need to Know

You want to take the Einbürgerungstest but still have many questions? No problem. Here you will find all the important information at a glance -- from the number of questions to the costs and how to register. This way you will go into the exam fully prepared.

How Many Questions Does the Einbürgerungstest Have?

The Einbürgerungstest consists of 33 questions. Of these, 30 questions come from the general question catalogue and 3 questions relate to your Bundesland. The complete BAMF question catalogue contains 463 questions -- 303 general questions plus 10 state-specific questions per Bundesland. Your 33 exam questions are randomly selected from this catalogue.

How Long Does the Exam Take?

You have 60 minutes to answer all 33 questions. That is almost two minutes per question -- more than enough. Most participants finish well before time runs out. Don't stress yourself and read each question calmly.

How Many Questions Do I Need to Get Right?

That depends on what you need the test for:

• Integration course: at least 15 out of 33 questions correct.
• Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence): at least 15 out of 33 questions correct.
• Naturalization (citizenship): at least 17 out of 33 questions correct.

For the integration course and permanent residence, you need just under half correct. For citizenship, slightly more than half. With good preparation, this is absolutely achievable.

How Much Does the Einbürgerungstest Cost?

The Einbürgerungstest costs 25 euros. This fee applies each time you take the test -- including retakes. You pay the fee when you register at your test center.

How Often Can I Retake the Test?

You can retake the Einbürgerungstest as many times as you like. There is no limit. If you don't pass the first time, you simply register again and try once more. However, each retake costs another 25 euros.

Where Can I Take the Test?

You can take the Einbürgerungstest at various authorized test centers throughout Germany. The most common test locations are:

• Volkshochschulen (VHS) -- the most common test location
• Authorized test centers -- for example, private educational institutions

You can find out which test center near you offers the test by contacting your local VHS or the BAMF.

How Do I Register for the Test?

Registration usually goes through the Volkshochschule or another authorized test center near you. Here is how to proceed:

• Find a test center near you
• Register there in person or online
• Pay the exam fee of 25 euros
• Bring your valid ID card or passport to the registration

After registration, you will receive an invitation with the exact date and test location.

What Happens on Exam Day?

On the day of the exam, everything runs in an orderly fashion. Here is the typical procedure:

• You arrive at the test center and show your ID card or passport
• You receive a questionnaire with 33 multiple-choice questions
• Each question has four answer options, of which exactly one is correct
• You have 60 minutes
• You mark your answers on an answer sheet -- the test is on paper, not on a computer

Remember to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Mobile phones and electronic devices are not allowed in the exam room.

What Language Is the Test In?

The Einbürgerungstest is exclusively in German. The questions and answer options are all written in German. You should have at least language level B1 to be able to understand the questions well. When studying, however, you can of course use translation tools to better understand the content.

What Is the Pass Rate?

The good news: the pass rate for the Einbürgerungstest is over 96%. This means that the vast majority of participants pass the test. If you prepare and practice the questions, your chances are very good.

When Will I Get My Results?

After the exam, you will have to be patient for a few weeks. The result will be sent to you by post. It usually takes several weeks until you receive the notification. The letter will state whether you passed and how many questions you answered correctly.

Do I Need the Test for the Niederlassungserlaubnis Too?

Yes, the "Leben in Deutschland" test is also recognized for the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit). The difference: for the Niederlassungserlaubnis, 15 out of 33 correct answers are sufficient, while you need at least 17 for naturalization. So it is the same test -- just with a slightly lower score requirement.