BACKGROUND FOR THE EINBÜRGERUNGSTEST
Background for the Einbürgerungstest
These articles explain the context behind the 300 general questions, sorted by topic. Each article lists the test questions it belongs to.
Living in a democracy
- Courts, Judges and Lay JudgesWho administers justice in Germany, who lay judges are, and what the police and armed forces do: the tasks of courts and authorities, with test questions.
- Federal States, the Federal Council and MunicipalitiesGermany has 16 federal states, a Federal Council and many municipalities. How the three levels work together, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- Flag, coat of arms and anthem: the symbols of GermanyFlag, coat of arms, anthem and federal eagle in the plenary chamber: Germany’s symbols explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- Germany’s form of state: democratic, social, federalGermany is a republic, a democracy and a federation. What these terms mean and which questions from the naturalisation test relate to them.
- Jewish Life in Germany and AntisemitismJewish life in Germany, antisemitism and criminal law, Israel and German responsibility: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- Political parties in Germany: roles, names and bansWhat parties in Germany do, what CDU, CSU, SPD and FDP stand for, what a coalition is and when a party can be banned.
- The Basic Law and Fundamental RightsThe Basic Law explained simply: human dignity, freedom of expression and religion, equality and their limits, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- The Federal Election: First Vote, Second Vote, 5 Per Cent ThresholdFirst vote, second vote, 5 per cent threshold, legislative term and postal voting: how the federal election works, explained simply, with test questions.
- The Federal Government and the Federal ChancellorFederal Government, Chancellor and President explained simply: who elects, who appoints, where they work and who is Chancellor today, with test questions.
- The Federal President: Head of State in GermanyThe Federal President's duties, election by the Federal Convention, Federal Cross of Merit: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- The German Federal Parliament: Duties, Members and OppositionThe Federal Parliament's duties, election of members, parliamentary groups and opposition: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- The right to vote and election principles in GermanyWho can vote in Germany, what the active and passive right to vote mean and which five principles every federal election must meet.
- The rule of law and the separation of powers in GermanyRule of law and separation of powers in legislature, government and courts: what they mean, explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- The welfare state and social insuranceWelfare state and social insurance explained simply: who pays, the five branches and what is excluded, with questions from the naturalisation test.
History and responsibility
- Germany and Its Neighbouring CountriesGermany's nine neighbours, its population and the German-speaking population of Austria: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- Germany in the European UnionThe EU explained simply: founding, flag, European elections and Parliament, Schengen and the euro, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- National Socialism and the Second World WarNazi rule 1933–1945, the Second World War, the end of the war on 8 May and the 1938 pogrom night: briefly explained for the naturalisation test.
- Occupation Zones and the Division of Germany (1945–1949)Occupation zones, Berlin sectors, blockade, airlift, birth of the Federal Republic and GDR: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- The Early Federal Republic: Adenauer, Economic Miracle, OstpolitikKonrad Adenauer, the social market economy, the 1950s economic miracle and Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik: the early Federal Republic, with test questions.
- The GDR and the Berlin Wall (1949–1990)The GDR 1949–1990: planned economy, Stasi, building of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the uprising of 17 June 1953 and the symbols of the GDR explained.
- The Peaceful Revolution, the fall of the Wall and reunification in 1990Peaceful Revolution, fall of the Wall, five new states joining on 3 October 1990: the Wende explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
People and society
- Authorities, Everyday Life and Your Rights in GermanyAuthorities, registration, house rules, secrecy of letters, objections and appeals: the most important everyday rules and rights in Germany, explained.
- Family, Marriage and ChildrenParenting, marriage, divorce, parental allowance, maternity protection and the youth welfare office: what German law says, with matching test questions.
- Migration to GermanyMigration to Germany explained simply: guest workers, recruitment agreements and GDR contract labour, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- Religion, public holidays and customs in GermanyFreedom of religion, Christian festivals, Advent, customs and church tax in Germany: explained simply, with questions from the naturalisation test.
- School and education in GermanyCompulsory schooling, religious education, the Abitur, kindergarten places and adult education centres: the key rules on school and education in Germany.
- Work, Trade Unions and Employment Law in GermanyEmployees, trade unions, dismissal, labour court and protection from discrimination: employment law in Germany explained simply, with test questions.
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