German Citizenship Test Dates 2026
The Einbürgerungstest (German citizenship test) required under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 7 StAG is one of the central examination hurdles before naturalization. 33 questions, at least 17 correct — covering Germany's constitutional order, history, society, and state-specific topics. This guide shows how and where to book a test date in 2026, what the test content covers, and how to prepare effectively.
Where is the test conducted?
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.
Wait times for test dates in 2026
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.
Registration process
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" (10 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.
Test structure
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
Preparation — free materials
BAMF online test trainer
BAMF provides a free online test trainer with all 310 questions from the official catalog (300 federal topics + 10 per 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.
Who is exempt from the test?
§ 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)
- Advanced age (over 60 years, in some states with documented learning difficulties)
Which alternative language certifications are recognized is described in the article B1 certificate without exam — the logic applies analogously to the Einbürgerungstest.
Retaking after failing
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.
Test results and consequences
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.
Frequently asked questions
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 — all 310 questions are published in the official BAMF catalog. 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 and a ban on retakes. In serious cases, § 35a StAG (10-year ban) may be triggered.
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.
Already submitted your application?
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 →
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Legal notice (⚠️ sworn-translator review pending): 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.
Sources: 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.