German citizenship test: frequently asked questions
23 questions about the Einbürgerungstest and the Leben in Deutschland test, answered in plain English — format, cost, registration, retakes, exemptions and preparation.
Everything on Passbereit is explained in English and the trainer's interface is English, but the questions and answers are shown in German first, exactly as they appear on the exam, with the English translation underneath. That is deliberate: the Einbürgerungstest is sat in German with no dictionary, so the German wording is what you need to recognise. You can also read this site in German.
The exam and its format
How many questions does the Einbürgerungstest have?
33: 30 from the general catalog and 3 about your federal state. You get 60 minutes, and each question has four options with exactly one correct answer.
How many do I need to answer correctly?
17 of 33. There is no negative marking, so answer every question — a guess is always better than a blank.
Do I have to learn all 460 questions?
No. You need 310: the 300 general questions plus the 10 for your state. The other 15 states' questions cannot appear in your exam.
Are the Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland the same test?
Same catalog and format, different purpose and certificate. A Leben in Deutschland score of 17+ is recognised as an Einbürgerungstest pass — see the comparison.
Do the questions change every year?
No. The catalog is stable, with occasional revisions by the BAMF. There is no annual reshuffle.
Registration, cost and results
What does it cost?
€25 per attempt, paid to the test centre. Retakes cost the same again.
Where can I take it?
At an accredited test centre — commonly a Volkshochschule or an integration course provider. The BAMF maintains the list of accredited centres.
Can I take the test online?
No. It is taken in person, on paper, at an accredited centre, with identification checked on arrival. Any site offering an official online Einbürgerungstest is not legitimate.
When do I get my result?
Usually a few weeks later, by post. The answer sheets are evaluated centrally by the BAMF, so staff at the centre genuinely cannot tell you on the day.
How long is the certificate valid?
Indefinitely. The Einbürgerungstest certificate does not expire.
How many times can I retake it?
There is no limit. Only a passing result matters for your application, and failed attempts do not appear in your file.
Who is exempt from the test?
People who cannot take it because of illness, disability or age, and people holding a German school leaving certificate or German higher-education degree. Your Einbürgerungsbehörde confirms this — check before booking.
Your federal state
Which federal state do I choose?
The one where you file your citizenship application or complete your integration course. Not your birthplace, and not a state you used to live in. See all 16 states.
I am moving before the exam — which questions apply?
Those of the state where you actually sit the exam. If you move first, switch to the new state's 10 questions.
Preparing
How long do I need to study?
Two to four weeks of short daily sessions is typical. The material is repetitive, so twenty minutes a day beats one long weekend session.
Where should I start?
With your state's 10 questions, because 3 are guaranteed to appear. Then the largest general block, History and Responsibility.
Is the test available in English?
No — and be careful with sites implying otherwise. The exam is in German only, with no dictionary permitted. You can prepare in English, which is what this site is for: German wording with English translations and explanations.
How do I know if a practice site is any good?
It should use the complete official catalog, let you choose your federal state, shuffle answer options rather than fixing their order, and be clear about not being affiliated with the BAMF. Anything charging for the question catalog is charging you for a free public document.
About Passbereit
Is Passbereit free?
Yes — no payment, no subscription, no ads, no upsell.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no sign-up and no email address required.
Where is my progress saved?
In your own browser's local storage. Nothing is uploaded, which also means your progress does not transfer to another device or survive clearing your browser data.
Are these the real exam questions?
Yes, they are the official BAMF catalog. The authoritative source is always the BAMF's own published catalog; if you ever spot a discrepancy, please tell us and we will fix it.
Why is the site in German if it is for expats?
It is in both. The exam's name, Einbürgerungstest, has no English equivalent, so most people search for it in German even when they would rather read English. So there is a German version and this English one, and you can switch between them at any time using the language link in the navigation.
Passbereit is a free, independent study aid. It is not affiliated with the BAMF or with any test centre, and practice results carry no legal weight. The official BAMF question catalog is always the authoritative source. FAQ · Impressum · Datenschutz