The Einbürgerungstest is administered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) through cooperating examination centers — predominantly Volkshochschulen (VHS, adult education centers), but also private BAMF-accredited providers and select university language centers.
The official BAMF database of examination centers can be found at bamf.de. A postal-code search function lists all examination centers in your area.
The 2024 StAG reform multiplied application numbers — wait times for test dates have increased accordingly:
- Berlin: 4–8 weeks (LEA and private examination centers)
- Hamburg: 3–6 weeks
- Munich: 4–8 weeks
- Cologne: 3–6 weeks (EfA-NRW region facilitates scheduling)
- Frankfurt am Main: 3–6 weeks
- Stuttgart: 3–5 weeks
- smaller cities: often 2–4 weeks
Tip: Contact multiple examination centers in parallel — the test can be taken at any BAMF-accredited center, regardless of your place of residence.
1. Find an examination center
Use the BAMF search or directly search Volkshochschulen in your area. Examples:
- Berlin: VHS Mitte, Charlottenburg, Lichtenberg
- Hamburg: VHS Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg-Bergedorf
- Munich: Münchner Volkshochschule
- Cologne: Volkshochschule Köln
- Frankfurt: VHS Frankfurt am Main
- Düsseldorf: VHS Düsseldorf
2. Registration
Register online via the VHS website or by phone. Required information:
- Name, date of birth, address
- Preferred test date
- State (Bundesland) selection for the "state-specific questions" (3 of 33 questions are state-specific — if you live in Berlin, select Berlin as your test state)
3. Fee
€25 test fee — usually payable in advance by bank transfer or upon registration. No-shows forfeit the fee.
4. ID on test day
Mandatory: valid passport or ID with photo. No ID, no test.
Duration: 60 minutes. Questions: 33 multiple-choice questions, of which 30 cover federal topics + 3 state-specific topics. Pass mark: At least 17 out of 33 correct.
Subject areas:
- Living in a democracy (Grundgesetz/Basic Law, elections, political parties, rights and duties)
- History and responsibility (Federal Republic of Germany history, Nazi past, reunification)
- People and society (religion, equality, culture, education system)
- State-specific questions (capital city, coat of arms, regional characteristics)
Sample questions from the official catalog:
Which heraldic animal does the Federal Republic of Germany have? a) Eagle · b) Bear · c) Raven · d) Horse
What is a "task" of the federal government? a) Pass federal laws · b) Elect the Chancellor · c) Conduct foreign policy · d) Appoint the Federal President
BAMF online test trainer
BAMF provides a free online test trainer covering the official full catalog of 460 questions (300 federal questions + 160 state questions, i.e. 10 per state × 16 states). Each individual test contains 33 questions (30 federal + 3 from the chosen state). The test trainer simulates the actual exam with random question selection and scoring. Available in multiple languages (DE, EN, TR, AR, RU, UK).
Volkshochschule courses
Preparation courses at Volkshochschulen cost €50–150 depending on provider and course length. Advantage: structured group review, often combined with language courses.
Apps and online courses
Various providers (Goethe-Institut, telc, private platforms) offer learning apps and online courses for €0–50. The BAMF test trainer is the official source and should be used primarily.
§ 10 Abs. 6 StAG recognizes three exemption scenarios:
- Applicants with a German school-leaving certificate (at least Hauptschule/lower secondary school)
- Mental or physical disabilities that make the test unreasonable (medical certificate required)
- Age-related reasons (no statutory age limit; assessed case by case)
Which alternative language certifications are recognized is described in the article B1 certificate without exam — the logic applies analogously to the Einbürgerungstest.
The test can be repeated unlimited times — each attempt costs €25 again. Practical recommendation: if you fail, try again after 4–8 weeks to better master the questions.
Nationwide pass rate: ~95% pass the test on the first attempt. The hurdles are usually the state-specific questions, less so the federal topics.
Passed
An original certificate is issued — submit the original to the naturalization authority. The certificate has no expiration date for naturalization purposes.
Failed
Written notification. Re-registration possible immediately. Wait time similar.
How long is the test certificate valid?
Indefinitely. A test certificate from 2018 remains valid in 2026.
Can I take the test in a different state?
Yes. The test can be taken at any BAMF-accredited examination center nationwide. Important: when registering, indicate the state (Bundesland) where you will apply for naturalization — the state-specific questions are tailored to that state.
Can I see the test questions in advance?
Yes — the official BAMF full catalog of 460 questions (300 federal + 160 state-specific) is published. The online test trainer is the direct learning source.
What happens if I cheat during the test?
Cheating (phone, cheat sheets) leads to test exclusion; the test counts as failed and must be retaken.
How long does scoring take?
Written notification in 2–4 weeks. Some examination centers announce results the same day; the original certificate arrives by mail.
Can I take the test online at home?
No. The Einbürgerungstest is an in-person examination at accredited centers.
If you've passed the test and submitted your application, use the civitas. application tracker to monitor processing times and plan deadline responses. Track application →
Related articles:
Legal notice: Test date availability and wait times vary regionally. civitas. is a private assistance service, not an authority or law firm — the official source for test dates is BAMF.
Quellen & Methodik anzeigen
- Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG) — § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 7, Abs. 6 as amended October 30, 2025
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees — (bamf.de)
- BAMF test trainer — (oet.bamf.de)
As of: May 2026.