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Take the Einbürgerungstest

BAMF · 33 questions, 17 correct to pass

In person€25

The naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest) demonstrates the knowledge of the legal and social order required for naturalisation. It consists of 33 questions in multiple-choice format, each with four possible answers, for which you have 60 minutes. It is passed from 17 correct answers onwards – that is, just over half.

One detail that surprises many people and changes how to prepare: three of the 33 questions concern the federal state (Bundesland) in which you are registered with your principal residence. The remaining 30 come from the subject areas “Life in a democracy”, “History and responsibility” and “People and society”. The question catalogue is therefore not identical nationwide – study with the catalogue for your federal state.

Participation costs €25. Important to know: this applies per attempt. The test can be repeated, and the Federal Office does not set an upper limit for this – but each attempt costs again. Anyone who works through the entire question catalogue beforehand therefore saves more than just time.

Last updated27 August 2026
Legal basis§ 10 StAG · EinbTestV
VerificationChecked against bamf.de
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information site: We are not BAMF, not an authority and not a paid advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent body always has the final say. The decision on naturalisation itself is made by the competent naturalisation authority, not by the Federal Office. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.
FAQ3330 general, 3 on the federal state
To pass17 correctOut of 33
Duration60 minutesMultiple choice
Costs€25Per attempt
Required documents

What you need

Valid ID document

No participation without proof of identity. Check the validity in good time – an expired document on the day of the examination costs you the appointment and the €25.

The examination fee

€25 per attempt, payable on registration. Since the fee is incurred again with each attempt, thorough preparation also pays off financially.

The question catalogue for your federal state

The full catalogue is public and can be viewed at the Federal Office. Pay attention to the federal state section: three questions concern the federal state of your principal residence, and these questions differ from one federal state to another.

If applicable: “Living in Germany” certificate

If you have already passed the “Living in Germany” (“Leben in Deutschland”) test at the end of an orientation course, it can replace the naturalisation test. Check this before registering – otherwise you pay €25 for something you already have.

Evidence for special needs

In the case of health restrictions or a disability, compensation for disadvantage (Nachteilsausgleich) can be an option. Contact the examination body before the appointment; on the day of the examination it is too late.

Step by step

How to proceed

  1. 1

    First check whether you need the test at all

    If you have passed the “Living in Germany” test as part of an orientation course, it can replace the naturalisation test. Clarify this with your naturalisation authority before you register – this one phone call saves many people €25 and an examination appointment.

  2. 2

    Find an examination body and register

    The test is offered by approved bodies, often adult education centres and integration course providers. You register there, and the €25 fee is due at registration. Appointments are available at different frequencies depending on location – ask early if you are bound by a deadline.

  3. 3

    Study with the correct question catalogue

    The full catalogue is public. Make sure you study the federal state section of your principal residence: three of the 33 questions come from there. Anyone who practises with the catalogue of a different federal state gives away exactly these three questions.

  4. 4

    Practise with the online test centre

    The Federal Office provides an interactive question catalogue and sample sheets. Use them to get familiar with the format – not only the content. Anyone used to the way the questions are phrased loses less time in the examination.

  5. 5

    Sit the test

    33 questions in 60 minutes, each with four possible answers, exactly one of which is correct. There is no deduction for wrong answers – so leave no question unanswered, even if you are unsure.

  6. 6

    If you fail: repeat

    If you score fewer than 17 correct answers, you can repeat the test; the Federal Office sets no upper limit for this. But factor in that each attempt again costs €25 and requires a new appointment. Beforehand, review which subject areas you were missing.

Fee information

Costs and payment

Procedure and costsAll the essentials in figures
FAQ33
Of which on the federal state3
Needed to pass17 correct
Time60 minutes
Fee€25 per attempt
RepeatPossible, fee payable again

The test comprises 33 questions in multiple-choice format, each with four possible answers, to be answered in 60 minutes; it is passed from 17 correct answers onwards. Of the 33 questions, 30 come from the subject areas “Life in a democracy”, “History and responsibility” and “People and society”, and three concern the federal state of your principal residence – which is why the catalogue is not the same everywhere. The fee is €25, and specifically per attempt: the test can be repeated, the Federal Office sets no upper limit, but each attempt is subject to the fee again and requires a new appointment. Two pieces of advice that can save money. First: anyone who has passed the “Living in Germany” test from an orientation course can, in certain circumstances, use it to replace the naturalisation test – clarify this with the naturalisation authority before registering. Second: there is no deduction for wrong answers, so do not leave any question unanswered.

Good to know

Important notes

17 out of 33 is enough. That is just over half – the hurdle is lower than many fear. The catalogue is also fully public.

Three questions concern your federal state. Study with the catalogue for the federal state of your principal residence; anyone who practises with the wrong one gives away these questions.

The €25 is charged per attempt. The test can be repeated and the Federal Office sets no upper limit, but each attempt costs again.

First check whether you need the test. A passed “Living in Germany” test from the orientation course can replace it. A call to the naturalisation authority beforehand saves money and an appointment.

Do not leave any question unanswered. There is no deduction for wrong answers. Guessing is always better than leaving it blank.

The test is not naturalisation itself. The decision on naturalisation is made by the competent naturalisation authority, not by the Federal Office. The test is only one of several pieces of evidence.

Apply for compensation for disadvantage in advance. In the case of health restrictions or a disability, this must be arranged before the appointment.

Keep the certificate safe. It is submitted in the naturalisation procedure, which can take months.

Avoid these mistakes

Common mistakes

Taking the test even though “Living in Germany” would have replaced it. A common and avoidable mistake: €25 and an appointment for evidence you already have. Ask the naturalisation authority beforehand.

Studying with the question catalogue of a different federal state. Three of the 33 questions come from the federal state of your principal residence.

Leaving questions unanswered. There is no point deduction for wrong answers. Every unanswered question is one certainly lost.

Learning only the content, not the format. The Federal Office’s online test centre shows how the questions are phrased. Anyone who knows the format loses less time within the 60 minutes.

Arriving with an expired identity document. No participation without a valid document – the appointment and the fee are lost.

Confusing the test with naturalisation itself. Passing does not mean being naturalised. The naturalisation authority decides on naturalisation according to its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

How many questions do I need to answer correctly?

17 out of 33 – that is just over half. You have 60 minutes, and for each question there are four possible answers, exactly one of which is correct. There is no deduction for wrong answers, so you should not leave any question unanswered. The entire question catalogue is publicly available, so the test can be well prepared for.

How much does the naturalisation test cost?

€25. The crucial point, which is often left out, is this: the fee is charged per attempt. The test can be repeated and the Federal Office sets no upper limit on repeats, but each attempt is subject to the fee again and requires a new appointment. Thorough preparation saves money here directly.

Are the questions the same everywhere?

Not entirely, and this matters for preparation. 30 questions come from the nationwide subject areas “Life in a democracy”, “History and responsibility” and “People and society”. Three questions relate to the federal state in which you are registered with your principal residence. Study with the catalogue for your federal state, therefore – anyone who practises with that of a different federal state gives away these three questions.

Can I repeat the test?

Yes. If you have answered fewer than 17 questions correctly, you can sit it again; the Federal Office sets no upper limit on repeats. However, plan for each attempt to cost €25 again and to require a new appointment. It is sensible to review which subject areas you were missing before the next attempt, rather than going through the whole catalogue evenly again.

Do I need the test at all?

Possibly not. If you have passed the “Living in Germany” test as part of an orientation course, it can replace the naturalisation test. This is one of the most frequently overlooked points – many people register and pay €25 for evidence they already have. Clarify this with your naturalisation authority before you register.

Where can I sit the test?

At approved examination bodies, often adult education centres and integration course providers. You register and pay the fee there. How often appointments are offered varies by region; if you are bound by a deadline in your naturalisation procedure, ask early about the next available appointment.

What is the best way to prepare?

The question catalogue is entirely public – this is the great advantage of this test. The Federal Office provides an interactive question catalogue as well as sample sheets. Work through the catalogue completely once, pay particular attention to the federal state section, and do at least one complete mock test under timed conditions. It is just as much about the format as about the content: anyone familiar with how the questions are phrased loses less time within the 60 minutes.

Am I naturalised once I have passed the test?

No. The test is only one of several pieces of evidence in the naturalisation procedure. The decision on naturalisation itself is made by the competent naturalisation authority – not the Federal Office – according to the requirements of the Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG), which include, among other things, duration of residence, language skills and securing one’s subsistence. Keep the test certificate: the procedure often takes months.

Related official procedures

German language test (DTZ)
“Living in Germany” can replace it
Included in the course
Integration course
Orientation course included
€2.29/hour
Naturalisation
Who really decides
Depending on the authority

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