Einbürgerungstest vs. Leben in Deutschland: What Is the Difference?
Both exams use the same official question catalog, the same 33 questions, and the same time limit. What matters is what you need the certificate for — and which pass mark applies.
Key takeaways
- Same exam format: 33 questions in 60 minutes from the BAMF catalog — 30 general plus 3 on your federal state.
- Integration course pass: Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test with at least 15 of 33 marks (§ 17 Abs. 2 IntV).
- Naturalization: at least 17 of 33 marks — in either the Einbürgerungstest or the LiD test.
- A LiD certificate with 17+ marks replaces the Einbürgerungstest for citizenship. The reverse does not apply.
- Fee: €25 per attempt for the Einbürgerungstest; LiD within an integration course is included in the course fee.
What is identical?
The Leben in Deutschland test and the Einbürgerungstest are the same exam in content. Both are run by accredited test centres on behalf of the BAMF and based on the official full catalog (as of 26 May 2025).
You answer 33 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes — 30 general questions and 3 about the federal state where you live. Each question has four options, exactly one is correct. The exam is in German only, with no dictionary, and cannot be taken online.
Where do they differ?
| Aspect | Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test | Einbürgerungstest |
|---|---|---|
| Typical reason | Final exam of the integration course | Proof for naturalization without an integration course |
| Pass mark (integration course) | 15 of 33 marks | — |
| Pass mark (naturalization) | 17 of 33 marks | 17 of 33 marks |
| Cost | Included in integration course fee | €25 per attempt (§ 2 EinbTestV) |
| Certificate | LiD certificate / integration course certificate | Einbürgerungstest certificate |
| For settlement permit | Yes (as part of integration course certificate) | No |
| For naturalization (17+ marks) | Yes | Yes |
Which test do you need?
Integration course participants: You take the LiD test at the end of your course. With 15 marks you pass the course. If you later apply for German citizenship, 17 marks in the LiD is enough — you do not need a separate Einbürgerungstest.
Without an integration course: Register for the Einbürgerungstest at an accredited test centre (e.g. Volkshochschule). Details: How to register for the Einbürgerungstest.
Important: An Einbürgerungstest certificate alone does not complete an integration course. For that you need the LiD test within the course plus a B1 German certificate.
Preparation — the same for both
For both tests you study 310 questions: 300 general plus 10 for your state — not all 460 in the full catalog.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a LiD result of 15 marks for naturalization?
No. Naturalization requires at least 17 of 33 marks. With 15 marks you have passed the integration course, but not yet the civic knowledge requirement for citizenship.
Do I still need the Einbürgerungstest if I passed the integration course?
Only if you scored below 17 in the LiD. With 17+ marks in the LiD, that certificate is sufficient for naturalization.
Are the questions really the same in LiD and Einbürgerungstest?
Yes. Both draw from the same official catalog. Your paper is assembled randomly from 100 approved combinations (§ 1 EinbTestV).
Related guides
- Register for the Einbürgerungstest: Dates, Costs and Process
- 14-Day Study Plan for the Einbürgerungstest
- Einbürgerungstest Results: Waiting Time and Certificate
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