Einbürgerungstest · Structure
The 33 Questions of the Einbürgerungstest
Liana · Sources: BAMF question catalogue, official published information
The Einbürgerungstest (German citizenship test) consists of exactly 33 questions: 30 general questions on politics, history and society in Germany, and 3 questions about your Bundesland (federal state). To pass, you must answer at least 17 questions correctly. All questions are multiple choice with four answer options and come from a publicly available catalogue.
This page explains what the 33 questions are made up of, how many you need to get right, and exactly how the test works. It also shows three real sample questions with the correct answers. So you know exactly what to expect before you register. For a complete overview of the Einbürgerungstest — procedure, costs, and the chance to practise all questions online — see our Einbürgerungstest overview.
What do the 33 questions consist of?
The 33 questions are always made up of two blocks. The first 30 questions are the same across all of Germany and cover general topics. The last 3 questions relate to the Bundesland in which you take the test — for example the state coat of arms, the state parliament, or elections in that state.
| Question block | Number | Content | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| General questions | 30 | Politics & democracy, history, law, society, religion | 300 questions (nationwide) |
| State-specific questions | 3 | Questions about your Bundesland (e.g. coat of arms, state parliament, elections) | 10 questions per Bundesland |
| Total | 33 | Multiple choice with 4 answers each | Overall question catalogue |
The complete Gesamtfragenkatalog (overall question catalogue) comprises 300 general questions plus a further 10 questions for each of the 16 Bundesländer. All questions and the correct answers are publicly available. For your test, 30 general and 3 state-specific questions are drawn from it at random. An overview of all topics is on the page all Einbürgerungstest questions (in German).
How many questions do you need to get right?
The pass mark is clearly defined and the same nationwide: you must answer at least 17 of the 33 questions correctly. That is just over half. There are no grades — the test is either passed or not passed.
At least 17 correct answers to pass. With 16 or fewer correct answers, the test counts as not passed. You can then repeat it as often as you need, each time for a new fee of about €25.
Wrong answers cost no points. Only the number of correct answers counts. So never leave a question blank — when in doubt, always tick an answer: a guessed answer can be right, an empty box is always wrong.
How the test works
The Einbürgerungstest is a written multiple-choice test and is identical in content to the Leben in Deutschland test, whose procedure, test dates and announcement of results are regulated uniformly nationwide. You receive a question booklet with all 33 questions and mark the correct answer for each on an answer sheet. The procedure is the same at all approved test centres.
60 minutes, 33 questions, multiple choice
You have 60 minutes for the 33 questions. Each question has four answer options (A, B, C, D), exactly one of which is correct. You mark your answer on an answer sheet. Aids such as a phone or notes are not allowed. When you have finished, you hand in the sheet; it is marked later. You receive the result — and, if you pass, the "Leben in Deutschland" certificate — after a few weeks.
- Bring ID: On test day you need a valid photo ID.
- Fee: The test usually costs about €25, payable in advance.
- No time pressure: 60 minutes for 33 questions is generous if you have practised the catalogue beforehand.
- Result: With at least 17 correct answers, the test counts as passed; the "Leben in Deutschland" certificate is valid indefinitely.
Sample questions from the test
This is what real questions from the overall question catalogue look like. The test is in German, so the questions are shown in the original wording — with an English translation in brackets. Each question has four answers; the correct one is marked in green.
1. Wie viele Bundesländer hat Deutschland? (How many federal states does Germany have?)
- 14
- ✓ 16
- 18
- 20
2. Wie heißt die deutsche Verfassung? (What is the German constitution called?)
- Volksgesetz
- Bundesgesetz
- ✓ Grundgesetz
- Deutsches Gesetz
3. Wer wählt in Deutschland den Bundeskanzler / die Bundeskanzlerin? (Who elects the Federal Chancellor in Germany?)
- das Volk
- ✓ der Bundestag
- der Bundesrat
- die Bundesregierung
You will find more questions with explanations in the Einbürgerungstest FAQ and in the complete question catalogue (in German). The fastest way to memorise the answers is to practise them actively rather than just reading.
Practise all 33 questions free, with instant explanations
Real questions from the overall question catalogue plus your Bundesland. Answer a question, see the correct solution immediately. Right in your browser, nothing to download.
Practise the Einbürgerungstest freeFAQ: The 33 questions
How many questions does the Einbürgerungstest have?
The Einbürgerungstest consists of 33 questions in total. Of these, 30 are general questions on politics, history and society in Germany, and 3 are state-specific questions about the Bundesland in which you take the test. The questions come from the published overall question catalogue of 300 general questions plus 10 state-specific questions per Bundesland.
How many of the 33 questions must be answered correctly?
To pass the Einbürgerungstest, at least 17 of the 33 questions must be answered correctly. That is just over half. Anyone with 16 or fewer correct answers has not passed the test but can repeat it for a new fee.
How much time do you have for the 33 questions?
You have 60 minutes for the 33 questions of the Einbürgerungstest. Each question is a multiple-choice question with four answer options, exactly one of which is correct. The time is usually more than enough if you have practised the questions beforehand.
Are the 33 questions always the same?
The 33 questions are newly assembled for each test from the published overall question catalogue. The catalogue comprises 300 general questions plus 10 state-specific questions per Bundesland. All possible questions and answers are publicly available, so you can prepare for the complete catalogue in a targeted way.
What happens if you get fewer than 17 questions right?
Anyone who answers fewer than 17 of the 33 questions correctly has not passed the Einbürgerungstest. The test can be repeated as often as needed, each time for a new fee of about 25 euros. A passed test is a requirement for naturalisation. More on this in the Einbürgerungstest FAQ.
Last updated: 23 July 2026 · GoethéB1 is independent and has no affiliation with BAMF or the Goethe-Institut.