German citizenship test practice: 20 questions in English

Checked on November 13, 2026

The real German citizenship test has 33 questions with four answer options each: 30 general questions and 3 about your federal state. You have 60 minutes and pass with 17 correct answers.

This free practice set has 20 questions from the official BAMF catalogue, translated into English by us. You pass with 11 correct answers, about the same share as in the real test. Plan about 36 minutes, the same pace as the real test. Important German terms are shown in brackets, because the real test is in German.

Choose one answer per question and click “Check my answers”. You will see your score, the correct answers and a short explanation for each question. When you feel ready, take the full 33-question mock exam in German. Everything about the format, booking and exemptions is on our German citizenship test guide.

These 20 questions are our own English translations of questions from the official BAMF catalogue (as of 7 May 2025). The answer options keep the original order. The real test is in German, so key German terms are shown in brackets.

20 questions Pass mark: 11/20 Time limit: 36 min

Question 1 of 20In Germany, people may openly speak out against the government because … freedom of religion applies here. people pay taxes. people have the right to vote. freedom of opinion applies here.

Explanation: Freedom of opinion (Meinungsfreiheit) is protected by Article 5 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Everyone may say what they think, including criticism of the government.

Question 2 of 20Germany is a state under the rule of law (Rechtsstaat). What does that mean? All residents and the state must obey the law. The state does not have to obey the law. Only Germans have to follow the law. The courts make the laws.

Explanation: Under the rule of law, the law applies to everyone, including the state. Article 20(3) of the Basic Law binds the government, the administration and the courts to law and justice.

Question 3 of 20Which basic right in Germany applies only to foreigners? The basic right to … protection of the family human dignity asylum freedom of opinion

Explanation: Article 16a of the Basic Law gives asylum (Asyl) to people who are politically persecuted. Germans do not need asylum in Germany, so this right applies only to foreigners.

Question 4 of 20What is compatible with the German Basic Law? corporal punishment torture the death penalty a fine

Explanation: The death penalty is abolished (Article 102 Basic Law), and torture and corporal punishment violate human dignity. A fine (Geldstrafe) is a normal penalty under German criminal law.

Question 5 of 20A party in Germany aims to set up a dictatorship. The party is then … tolerant. committed to the rule of law. law-abiding. unconstitutional.

Explanation: A party that wants to abolish the free democratic order is unconstitutional (verfassungswidrig, Article 21 Basic Law). Only the Federal Constitutional Court can decide to ban it.

Question 6 of 20Which statement is correct? In Germany … the state and religious communities are separate. the religious communities form the state. the state depends on the religious communities. the state and religious communities form a single unit.

Explanation: There is no state church in Germany (Article 140 Basic Law). State and religion are separate, but they work together in some areas, for example religious education at school.

Question 7 of 20Who passes a new law in Germany? the government the parliament the courts the police

Explanation: Federal laws are passed by the Bundestag, the federal parliament (Article 77 Basic Law). The Bundesrat takes part. The government can only propose laws.

Question 8 of 20Who decides school policy in Germany? the teachers the federal states the Ministry for Family Affairs the universities

Explanation: Schools are the responsibility of the federal states (Bundesländer). That is why each of the 16 states has its own school laws and curricula.

Question 9 of 20Who elects the Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) in Germany? the Bundesrat the Federal Convention the people the Bundestag

Explanation: The Bundestag elects the Chancellor on the proposal of the Federal President (Article 63 Basic Law). Voters elect the Bundestag, not the Chancellor directly.

Question 10 of 20Who elects the Federal President (Bundespräsident) in Germany? the Federal Convention the Bundesrat the federal parliament the Federal Constitutional Court

Explanation: The Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung) elects the head of state (Article 54 Basic Law). It is made up of all members of the Bundestag and the same number of members chosen by the state parliaments.

Question 11 of 20From what age may you vote in elections to the German Bundestag? 16 18 21 23

Explanation: You can vote in federal elections from the age of 18 (Article 38 Basic Law). Some state and local elections have a lower voting age.

Question 12 of 20What percentage of the second votes (Zweitstimmen) must a party win at least to get into the German Bundestag? 3% 4% 5% 6%

Explanation: A party needs at least 5 percent of the second votes (the 5% threshold, 5%-Hürde). It is meant to stop many small parties from making it hard to form a government.

Question 13 of 20What is an example of antisemitic behaviour? attending a Jewish festival criticising the Israeli government denying the Holocaust playing football against Jews

Explanation: Publicly denying the Holocaust is a criminal offence in Germany (section 130(3) of the Criminal Code). Criticising a government, including Israel's, is not automatically antisemitic.

Question 14 of 20What happened on 8 May 1945? Adolf Hitler died construction of the Berlin Wall began Konrad Adenauer was elected Federal Chancellor the Second World War ended in Europe

Explanation: On 8 May 1945 the German armed forces surrendered unconditionally. This ended the Second World War in Europe.

Question 15 of 20When was the Federal Republic of Germany founded? 1939 1945 1949 1951

Explanation: The Basic Law was proclaimed on 23 May 1949, which founded the Federal Republic of Germany. The GDR (East Germany) was founded in the same year.

Question 16 of 20Which politician stands for the “Eastern Treaties” (Ostverträge)? Helmut Kohl Willy Brandt Mikhail Gorbachev Ludwig Erhard

Explanation: Chancellor Willy Brandt (1969–1974) signed treaties with the Soviet Union, Poland, the GDR and Czechoslovakia. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

Question 17 of 20Who is called the “Chancellor of German Unity” (Kanzler der Deutschen Einheit)? Gerhard Schröder Helmut Kohl Konrad Adenauer Helmut Schmidt

Explanation: Helmut Kohl was Chancellor when Germany was reunified on 3 October 1990, so he is called the Chancellor of Unity.

Question 18 of 20How many member states does the EU have today? 21 23 25 27

Explanation: Since the United Kingdom left on 31 January 2020, the European Union has 27 member states.

Question 19 of 20At what age do you become a legal adult in Germany? 16 18 19 21

Explanation: You come of age at 18 (section 2 of the Civil Code). From then on you can, for example, sign contracts on your own.

Question 20 of 20Where do you have to register when you move house in Germany? at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) at the registry office (Standesamt) at the public order office (Ordnungsamt) at the trade office (Gewerbeamt)

Explanation: After moving you must register with the registration office within two weeks (section 17 of the Federal Registration Act). In many cities this office is called the Bürgeramt.

Sources: Gesamtfragenkatalog zum Test „Leben in Deutschland“ und zum „Einbürgerungstest“ (as of 07.05.2025), translated by us — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF)

Frequently asked questions

Are these real German citizenship test questions?

Yes. They are our English translations of questions from the official BAMF catalogue (as of 7 May 2025). The answer options keep the original order.

Is the real test in English?

No. The questions come from the German-language catalogue. Practise the German wording as well, for example with our 33-question mock exam in German.

How many questions must I get right in the real test?

At least 17 of 33. This practice set uses 11 of 20 as its pass mark.

Sources

Gesamtfragenkatalog zum Test „Leben in Deutschland“ und zum „Einbürgerungstest“ (as of 07.05.2025) — Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
Einbürgerungstestverordnung (EinbTestV), section 1: 33 questions, 17 correct, 60 minutes — Federal Ministry of Justice
Einbürgerung in Deutschland: the naturalisation test (page dated 09.11.2026) — BAMF