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The official question catalogue has 8 questions on this topic. In the app you practise them with instant feedback and in the exam simulation.
Freedom of religion in the Basic Law
The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) protects freedom of religion and belief. Everyone may believe what they wish, or have no religion at all. The state prescribes no faith to anyone.
Religious tolerance means respecting different religions and convictions. This includes people who do not believe.
Religious communities manage their own internal affairs. A church, for example, organises its services and the training of its members independently.
Nobody may be disadvantaged because of their faith. This principle applies equally to everyone.
Christian festivals through the year
Pentecost is a Christian holiday. Christians then commemorate the sending of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is also regarded as the birthday of the Church. Easter is also part of the Christian church year. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and is an important Christian festival.
The Advent season is the preparation for Christmas. It covers the four Sundays of Advent before Christmas. How many calendar days it lasts depends on which day of the week Christmas falls on.
Advent begins on the Sunday between 27 November and 3 December.
Customs through the year
Customs are habits that last across generations. The best-known examples in Germany are:
- Carnival, Fasching or Fastnacht: colourful costumes and masks, especially on Rose Monday with big parades
- Easter: eggs are painted, often hidden and searched for by children
- Christmas: a fir tree is put up and decorated
Many of these customs bring family and neighbours together and are part of everyday life, even for people who are not religious. They show how strongly Christian traditions have shaped the culture.
Church tax and the tax return
Religious affiliation is also stated on the tax return. The reason is church tax. Anyone who belongs to a religious community that levies church tax may be liable to pay it.
Church tax is normally calculated as a surcharge on income tax or wage tax. Anyone who does not belong to such a community pays no church tax.
Anyone who leaves the church is no longer liable for church tax afterwards. Church tax is therefore tied to membership of the religious community concerned.
Christianity and society
Christianity has strongly shaped history, culture, art, public holidays and political ideas in Germany and Europe over many centuries. But it is only one influence among several.
Today Germany is diverse in religion and worldview. The freedom of religion in the Basic Law applies equally to all religions. Churches, monasteries and public holidays still shape the look of many towns and cities and the calendar year.
These 8 questions are in the test
- 264Zu welchem Fest tragen Menschen in Deutschland bunte Kostüme und Masken?
- 271Was ist in Deutschland ein Brauch zu Weihnachten?
- 291Warum muss man in Deutschland bei der Steuererklärung aufschreiben, ob man zu einer Kirche gehört oder nicht? Weil ...
- 292Die Menschen in Deutschland leben nach dem Grundsatz der religiösen Toleranz. Was bedeutet das?
- 293Was ist in Deutschland ein Brauch an Ostern?
- 294Pfingsten ist ein …
- 295Welche Religion hat die europäische und deutsche Kultur geprägt?
- 296In Deutschland nennt man die letzten vier Wochen vor Weihnachten …
Each question with its explanation is on the question pages. You can practise with answers in the app.
SourcesBundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Christentum und EuropaDeutschland.de: Wie Deutschland Weihnachten feiertDeutschland.de: Ostern in Deutschland – TraditionenGrundgesetz: Artikel 4Bundesministerium der Finanzen: Lohnsteuer-Handbuch 2026 – Kirchensteuer
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