The "Life in Germany" test (naturalization test) serves as proof of knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany. All information about the test, such as costs, procedure, and duration, as well as the 310 questions and answers, can be found here.
Legal basis
In order to obtain a permanent right of residence in Germany (Settlement permit) or citizenship, you must have a basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany. For Settlement permit you will find the legal basis for this in § Section 9 (2) no. 8 AufenthGand for Naturalization in § 10 Para. 1 Sentence 1 No. 7 StAG . You can prove that you have the legally required knowledge by passing the "Living in Germany" test, also known as the naturalization test. As a rule, this is carried out as part of an integration course.
Further information on integration courses can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
The life in Germany test
The test consists of a total of 33 questions. To pass the test, you must answer at least 15 of them correctly. If you answer 17 of the 33 questions correctly, you will not have to take the naturalization test later. It is therefore sufficient if you know the answers to half of the questions.
Subject areas
The test measures your historical, geographical and political knowledge of Germany. You must prove that you have a basic knowledge of the German legal system and are familiar with both social and cultural aspects of living together in Germany. General knowledge is also required. There are also specific questions that only relate to the federal state in which you live.
Politics in democracy (German legal system)
These include, for example, fundamental rights, constitutional principles, political parties and electoral processes
German history including position in Europe
National Socialism and its consequences as well as reunification and German borders are particularly important
Social order + culture
Everyday things as well as topics such as education and religious diversity are relevant here
Never again appointments in the Foreigners' office
Registration
As part of your integration course, you will take the "Living in Germany" test at the end of the orientation course. You usually have to register a few weeks in advance at a test center approved by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). This is usually done using a registration form. You can also find out the current examination dates from local providers or via their websites.
Duration
You have 60 minutes to solve the 33 questions. This should be enough time, as the questions are multiple-choice and you do not have to write down the answers yourself. Our tip: Answer the easier questions first, then you will have more time later and can think about difficult questions for longer.
Living in Germany 300 questions
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has published the questionnaire for test preparation published. This consists of 300 general and 10 country-specific questions.
300 questions about Germany in general
To obtain the certificate without any problems, we recommend that you practise until you pass the exam with ease. The online learning platform lebenindeutschland.eu offers you a free opportunity to repeat the 300 questions on Germany in general as often as you like. The 300 questions are original exam questions that you might be asked in your life in Germany test. For this reason, practicing here is really worthwhile. If you have passed the online test often enough and feel confident, you can no longer be surprised in the exam. You will be perfectly prepared!
Plus 10 questions about your federal state
You will also be asked a few specific questions about the federal state in which you live. This is because Germany is divided into 16 federal states, some of which have different regulations. In order to prepare for this part of the Leben in Deutschland exam, select the following on the website of the online learning platform lebenindeutschland.eu or on the BAMF questionnaire , first select your federal state.
Practice with flashcards (Questions and answers PDF)
Hereyouwill findfree flashcards in PDF format to help you prepare for the final exam. They contain all 300 questions and answers on the nationally standardized topics.
Level of difficulty
Thanks to the really great preparation options, the majority of applicants have no problem passing the "Life in Germany" test. So you don't need to worry about that!
Costs
The examination fee is usually €25.
Summary
The certificate you receive upon passing the final test opens many doors and is recognized nationwide. From our point of view, it is definitely worth taking advantage of the many practice opportunities available and passing the exam. The "Life in Germany" test is also one of the documents that you must submit when applying for a Settlement permit, which allows you to live in Germany indefinitely. Read here to find out about the many advantages of a Settlement permit and why you should apply for one as soon as possible.
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