Einbürgerungstest Pro

Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01

Mock exam — Hamburg

33 questions as in the real exam: 30 federal and 3 on Hamburg. With an explanation for every option. Free, 2026.

Questions in the test
33
Split
30 + 3
Pass mark — naturalisation
17 / 33
Pass mark — "Leben in Deutschland"
15 / 33
Time
60 min
Two pass marks — read this
It is the same paper, but there are two pass marks. Naturalisation requires 17 of 33 correct. The "Leben in Deutschland" test at the end of an orientation course requires 15. So a score of 15 or 16 passes the orientation course and does not meet the naturalisation requirement. If you are sitting this for naturalisation, 17 is your number.
0 of 33 answered

Without JavaScript you see every question, answer and explanation as a list. The test works, just without the timer.

  1. Question 1 of 33Catalogue question 28

    In Germany, who elects the members of the Bundestag?

    1. A — The military has no political voting function in Germany; it is subject to civilian control.
    2. B — Business associations may represent interests but do not elect members of parliament.
    3. C — Correct: under Art. 38 of the Basic Law, the Bundestag is elected by the eligible electorate in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
    4. D — The administration implements laws but has no voting role as an institution.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  2. Question 2 of 33Catalogue question 7

    Which right is among the basic rights guaranteed by the German constitution? The right to …

    1. A — Correct: Art. 4 Basic Law guarantees freedom of faith, of conscience, and of religious and ideological belief.
    2. B — There is no "right to entertainment" in the Basic Law.
    3. C — There is no enforceable basic right to a specific job, only freedom of occupation (Art. 12 Basic Law).
    4. D — The Basic Law does not contain an enforceable basic right to housing as such, though welfare-state support exists.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  3. Question 3 of 33Catalogue question 253

    Where do you have to register when you move in Germany?

    1. A — Correct: under the Federal Registration Act, everyone must register with the residents' registration office of their new municipality within two weeks of moving.
    2. B — The registry office is responsible for civil status matters such as marriage, birth and death, not for residence registration.
    3. C — The public order office deals with local public safety and order, not with residence registration.
    4. D — The trade licensing office is responsible for registering businesses, not private changes of residence.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  4. Question 4 of 33Catalogue question 143

    A judge in Germany belongs to the …

    1. A — Correct: judges exercise judicial power, the judiciary (Art. 92 Basic Law).
    2. B — The executive consists of the government and administration, not independent judges.
    3. C — "Operative" is not one of the three classic branches of state power.
    4. D — The legislature consists of the Bundestag and Bundesrat, not judges.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  5. Question 5 of 33Catalogue question 117

    What minimum percentage of second votes must parties receive to be elected to the German Bundestag?

    1. A — 3% is below the actual threshold clause.
    2. B — 4% is just below the actual threshold clause.
    3. C — Correct: under the Federal Elections Act, a threshold clause of 5% of second votes applies (or alternatively at least three won constituency seats).
    4. D — 6% is above the actual threshold clause.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  6. Question 6 of 33Catalogue question 129

    In Germany, elected by the people is …

    1. A — The Federal Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag, not directly by the people.
    2. B — The Minister-President is elected by the state parliament, not directly by the people.
    3. C — Correct: members of the Bundestag are elected directly by the eligible electorate (Art. 38 Basic Law).
    4. D — The Federal President is elected by the Federal Convention, not directly by the people.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  7. Question 7 of 33Catalogue question 235

    The then French President François Mitterrand and the then German Chancellor Helmut Kohl jointly commemorate the dead of both world wars in Verdun. Which goal of the European Union becomes clear at this meeting?

    1. A — Verdun was a battlefield of the First World War between Germany and France; England was not the subject of this meeting.
    2. B — Freedom of travel concerns freedom of movement of people in the internal market (Schengen), not the symbolic meaning of the 1984 Verdun gesture.
    3. C — Correct: the joint commemoration in 1984 of the millions of dead from both world wars symbolised Franco-German reconciliation and stood for the central EU goal of securing lasting peace and security in Europe through cooperation.
    4. D — Uniform public holidays are not an EU goal and have no connection to the Verdun meeting.

    Source: www.bundesregierung.de

  8. Question 8 of 33Catalogue question 264

    For which festival do people in Germany wear colourful costumes and masks?

    1. A — Correct: Rosenmontag is the high point of street carnival, when colourful costumes, masks and disguises are traditionally worn, especially in the Rhineland.
    2. B — May Day (1 May) is Labour Day, without a tradition of costumes.
    3. C — At Oktoberfest, some people wear traditional dress (dirndls, lederhosen), but that is not disguise with masks and costumes in the carnival sense.
    4. D — Pentecost is a Christian festival with no tradition of costumes.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  9. Question 9 of 33Catalogue question 187

    Which German state had a black-red-gold flag with a hammer, compass and wreath of grain?

    1. A — Prussia was a historical kingdom with its own flag (black and white), long before this symbolism.
    2. B — The Federal Republic uses the plain black-red-gold flag without an emblem (Art. 22 Basic Law).
    3. C — The "Third Reich" used the swastika flag, not a hammer, compass and wreath of grain.
    4. D — Correct: from 1959, the East German (GDR) flag showed the state emblem — a hammer (the working class), a compass (the intelligentsia) and a wreath of grain (the peasantry) — on a black-red-gold background.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  10. Question 10 of 33Catalogue question 293

    What is a custom in Germany at Easter?

    1. A — Putting pumpkins in front of the door is a Halloween custom, not an Easter custom.
    2. B — Decorating a Christmas tree is a Christmas custom, not associated with Easter.
    3. C — Correct: painting and hiding colourful eggs is a central German Easter custom, symbolising new life and spring.
    4. D — Setting off fireworks is a New Year's Eve custom, not an Easter custom.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  11. Question 11 of 33Catalogue question 149

    What is an example of antisemitic behaviour?

    1. A — Attending a Jewish festival is cultural participation, not antisemitic behaviour.
    2. B — Factual criticism of a government's policy — including Israel's — is covered by freedom of expression and is not inherently antisemitic.
    3. C — Correct: denying the Holocaust is a recognised form of antisemitism, because it disputes or trivialises the historically documented crime against humanity committed against European Jews, and is furthermore a criminal offence in Germany (§ 130(3) Criminal Code).
    4. D — A sporting match against a Jewish team is a normal sporting encounter, not antisemitic behaviour.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  12. Question 12 of 33Catalogue question 266

    When does the legally mandated quiet period at night begin in Germany?

    1. A — Sunset varies greatly with the season and location and is not a legally fixed time for the quiet period.
    2. B — Neighbours' individual sleep rhythms are not an objective, legally decisive standard.
    3. C — Midnight is not the legally usual start of the night-time quiet period in Germany.
    4. D — Correct: under the states' immission control laws and the common rule in tenancy and neighbour law, the night-time quiet period usually begins at 10pm and lasts until 6 or 7am.

    Source: www.mieterbund.de

  13. Question 13 of 33Catalogue question 263

    In Germany, young people are criminally responsible from age 14. This means: young people aged 14 and older who violate criminal law …

    1. A — Correct: from age 14, criminal responsibility applies; young people can be held criminally responsible for offences and punished under the Youth Courts Act (JGG) — however, with more lenient, education-oriented sanctions than for adults.
    2. B — Young people are dealt with under youth criminal law, which has its own, more lenient and education-oriented rules than adult criminal law — it is not identical to how adults are treated.
    3. C — A sentence is imposed personally and is not "shared" with the parents; German criminal law does not recognise collective family liability.
    4. D — The opposite is true: from age 14, young people can indeed be held criminally liable.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  14. Question 14 of 33Catalogue question 18

    Which basic right is guaranteed in Article 1 of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany?

    1. A — Correct: Art. 1(1) of the Basic Law reads "Human dignity shall be inviolable" — the central opening sentence of the Basic Law.
    2. B — The right to life and physical integrity is in Art. 2(2) of the Basic Law, not Art. 1.
    3. C — Freedom of religion is regulated in Art. 4 of the Basic Law, not Art. 1.
    4. D — Freedom of expression is in Art. 5 of the Basic Law, not Art. 1.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  15. Question 15 of 33Catalogue question 272

    Which way of living together is not permitted in Germany?

    1. A — Divorced people may freely live together with new partners; this is legally unproblematic.
    2. B — Same-sex cohabitation is permitted in Germany and legally protected, including marriage for all since 2017.
    3. C — Single parents living together with their children are a completely legal and common family form.
    4. D — Correct: under § 1306 of the Civil Code, marriage is forbidden while one spouse already has another marriage — polygamy (multiple marriage) is not permitted in Germany and is even a criminal offence as bigamy (§ 172 Criminal Code).

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  16. Question 16 of 33Catalogue question 275

    What do you need for a divorce in Germany?

    1. A — The consent of the spouses' parents is not required for a divorce; the spouses decide independently.
    2. B — A medical certificate is not required for a divorce; grounds for divorce are regulated under civil law, not medically.
    3. C — Children have no right of consent to their parents' divorce; the family court does, however, separately consider the child's welfare.
    4. D — Correct: under § 114 of the Family Proceedings Act, legal representation is mandatory in divorce proceedings — at least the party filing the petition must be represented by a lawyer.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  17. Question 17 of 33Catalogue question 53

    What does "Rechtsstaat" (rule-of-law state) mean in Germany?

    1. A — This is a play on the similar-sounding words, but factually wrong: "Rechtsstaat" does not mean the state is automatically right.
    2. B — "Rechtsstaat" has nothing to do with parties' political left-right orientation; it is a constitutional principle.
    3. C — Citizens elect the legislature but do not decide directly on individual laws — that is representative democracy, not the definition of Rechtsstaat.
    4. D — Correct: in a Rechtsstaat, the state itself is also bound by the law (Art. 20(3) Basic Law); arbitrariness is excluded.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  18. Question 18 of 33Catalogue question 116

    If you are allowed to vote in a Bundestag election in Germany, this is called …

    1. A — "Active election campaign" is not a legal term for being allowed to vote.
    2. B — "Active electoral procedure" is not the correct term for being allowed to vote personally.
    3. C — "Active campaigning" refers to parties' promotional activity, not an individual's right to vote.
    4. D — Correct: the right to vote yourself is called active suffrage.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  19. Question 19 of 33Catalogue question 128

    Members of parliament elected by citizens are called …

    1. A — Correct: parliament members elected by citizens are called Abgeordnete (members of parliament).
    2. B — There is only one Federal Chancellor, elected by the Bundestag — not the term for all parliament members.
    3. C — Ambassadors represent Germany diplomatically abroad and are not elected parliament members.
    4. D — Minister-Presidents are heads of government of the Länder, not a general term for parliament members.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  20. Question 20 of 33Catalogue question 111

    Which actions relating to the State of Israel are prohibited in Germany?

    1. A — Publicly criticising a government's policy, including Israel's, is covered by freedom of expression (Art. 5 Basic Law).
    2. B — Displaying a foreign flag on private property is generally permitted and not a criminal offence.
    3. C — Factual discussion of politics, including about Israel, is permitted and an expression of freedom of speech.
    4. D — Correct: publicly calling for the destruction of a state and its population fulfils the offence of incitement to hatred (§ 130 Criminal Code) and is punishable — this applies regardless of which state is concerned, and here explicitly to Israel as well.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  21. Question 21 of 33Catalogue question 47

    The German state has many responsibilities. Which of these is not one of them?

    1. A — Correct: there is no state funding of private holiday trips for all citizens — that is not a state responsibility.
    2. B — Child benefit (Kindergeld) is a genuine state family benefit under the Income Tax Act / Federal Child Benefit Act.
    3. C — The state and the Länder do actually support museums and cultural institutions as part of cultural funding.
    4. D — Sports funding, for example via the German Olympic Sports Confederation and federal funds, is a genuine state responsibility.

    Source: www.bundesregierung.de

  22. Question 22 of 33Catalogue question 194

    On 3 October, Germany celebrates the Day of German …

    1. A — Correct: 3 October is the "Day of German Unity", Germany's national holiday commemorating East Germany's accession to the Federal Republic in 1990.
    2. B — "Day of the German Nation" is not the official name of the holiday.
    3. C — There is no official "Day of the Federal States" on 3 October.
    4. D — There is no official "Day of the Cities" on 3 October.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  23. Question 23 of 33Catalogue question 186

    In 1953 there was an uprising in East Germany, which was long commemorated by a public holiday in West Germany. When was that?

    1. A — 1 May is Labour Day, not a commemoration of the 1953 East German uprising.
    2. B — Correct: on 17 June 1953, the East German leadership, with Soviet support, suppressed a popular uprising against increased work quotas and for political freedom; West Germany observed this day until 1990 as "Day of German Unity".
    3. C — 20 July commemorates the Stauffenberg assassination attempt on Hitler in 1944, not the East German uprising.
    4. D — 9 November is a historically significant date (the 1938 November Pogroms, the fall of the Wall in 1989), but not the day of the 1953 East German uprising.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  24. Question 24 of 33Catalogue question 221

    Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement. What does that mean?

    1. A — Correct: the Schengen Area comprises most EU states (and a few more), between which there are no longer systematic passport checks at internal borders.
    2. B — The Schengen Area applies only between member states; entry from non-member countries remains subject to border controls and entry requirements.
    3. C — Schengen applies only within the Schengen Area, not worldwide — not "any country".
    4. D — The common euro currency is a separate arrangement (the eurozone), independent of the Schengen Agreement on freedom of travel.

    Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

  25. Question 25 of 33Catalogue question 202

    Which side did East Germany belong to in the "Cold War"?

    1. A — East Germany did not belong to the Western powers but to the Soviet-dominated Eastern Bloc.
    2. B — Correct: East Germany was a founding member of the Warsaw Pact (1955), the Eastern military alliance led by the Soviet Union.
    3. C — NATO was the Western military alliance that West Germany (not East Germany) joined in 1955.
    4. D — East Germany was clearly anchored in the Eastern Bloc, not non-aligned.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  26. Question 26 of 33Catalogue question 75

    What is the name of Germany's current head of state?

    1. A — Correct: Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been Federal President, and thus Germany's head of state, since 2017; his second term runs until the Federal Convention in January 2027.
    2. B — Bärbel Bas is Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, not the head of state.
    3. C — Bodo Ramelow was Minister-President of Thuringia, not Federal President.
    4. D — Joachim Gauck was Federal President from 2012 to 2017 — no longer in office.

    Source: www.bundespraesident.de

  27. Question 27 of 33Catalogue question 131

    In Germany, a mayor is …

    1. A — A headteacher leads an educational institution but is not a mayor.
    2. B — A bank head leads a financial institution and has no municipal function.
    3. C — Correct: the mayor is the elected head of a municipality and leads its administration.
    4. D — A party chairperson leads a political party, not necessarily a municipality.

    Source: www.bmi.bund.de

  28. Question 28 of 33Catalogue question 35

    What does the German state use to finance social insurance?

    1. A — Church tax finances religious communities, not state social insurance.
    2. B — Correct: social security contributions (to pension, health, long-term care, unemployment and accident insurance), paid jointly by employees and employers, finance social insurance.
    3. C — Donations are voluntary and are not a load-bearing source of funding for social insurance.
    4. D — Club membership fees finance clubs, not the state social insurance system.

    Source: www.bundesregierung.de

  29. Question 29 of 33Catalogue question 92

    What does the abbreviation CSU stand for in Germany?

    1. A — "Christian Secure Union" is not the correct expansion of the abbreviation CSU.
    2. B — "Christian South German Union" is not the official name, even though the CSU is active only in Bavaria.
    3. C — The CSU is a political party, not an entrepreneurs' association.
    4. D — Correct: CSU stands for Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union), the Bavarian sister party of the CDU, founded in 1945.

    Source: www.csu.de

  30. Question 30 of 33Catalogue question 102

    With what can someone be honoured in the Federal Republic of Germany for a special achievement in the political, economic, cultural, intellectual or social field? With the …

    1. A — Correct: the Federal Cross of Merit (officially: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) is the highest honour the Federal Republic awards for special merit.
    2. B — The federal eagle is Germany's heraldic animal, not an award for personal achievement.
    3. C — The Order of Merit of the Fatherland was an East German award, not one of the Federal Republic.
    4. D — The honorary title "Hero of the German Democratic Republic" was an East German award and has not existed since 1990.

    Source: www.bundespraesident.de

  31. Questions on Hamburg

    Question 31 of 33Hamburg · Catalogue question 2

    Which is a borough of Hamburg?

    1. A — Correct: Altona is one of Hamburg's seven boroughs.
    2. B — Hemelingen is a district of Bremen, not Hamburg.
    3. C — Pankow is a borough of Berlin, not Hamburg.
    4. D — The Mecklenburg Lake District lies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, not in Hamburg.

    Source: www.hamburg.de

  32. Question 32 of 33Hamburg · Catalogue question 7

    Which federal state is a city-state?

    1. A — Correct: alongside Berlin and Bremen, Hamburg is one of Germany's three city-states.
    2. B — Saxony is an area state, not a city-state.
    3. C — Bavaria is an area state, not a city-state.
    4. D — Thuringia is an area state, not a city-state.

    Source: www.hamburg.de

  33. Question 33 of 33Hamburg · Catalogue question 10

    Which senator does Hamburg not have?

    1. A — A justice department is one of Hamburg's classic Senate administrations.
    2. B — Correct: foreign policy is exclusively a federal matter (Art. 32 Basic Law); even the city-state of Hamburg has no department for external relations in the sense of a foreign-policy authority.
    3. C — A finance department is one of Hamburg's classic Senate administrations.
    4. D — An interior department is one of Hamburg's classic Senate administrations.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

Questions on Hamburg · Practice tests

Last checked: · Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01 · Every figure on this page is checked against its primary source.