B1 German + the Einbürgerungstest — exactly what counts in 2026
The two 'exam' requirements of naturalization decoded: which B1 certificates are accepted (and what waives them), how the 33-question Leben-in-Deutschland test really works, who is exempt, and the smartest order to do both while your residence clock runs.
17 of 33 — and B1 in four skills
Of the six naturalization requirements, two are exams — and both are entirely in your control, years before your residence clock finishes. Here is what counts, what waives them, and how to be done with both this year.
Pass mark of the Einbürgerungstest — with practice, a formality
17/33
The test draws 30 general + 3 Bundesland questions from a fixed public catalog of 460. Every question is known in advance. Train the catalog with explanations and the real thing becomes the easiest part of the whole application.
B1 — the language requirement (§10 Abs. 1 Nr. 6)
B1 must be certified in all four skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). Accepted proofs:
| Provider | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (or higher) Best | Yes | The classic; B2/C1/C2 also count |
telc Deutsch B1 (or higher) | Yes | Widely available test centers |
ÖSD Zertifikat B1 | Yes | Austrian provider, same value |
DTZ (integration-course final exam) Check the skill breakdown on your certificate. | Yes — IF B1 in every skill | A DTZ with A2 in one skill does NOT count |
TestDaF / DSH | Yes | They exceed B1 |
German school-leaving certificate | Waives the proof | Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, (Fach-)Abitur |
German-taught degree from a German university | Waives the proof | The whole program must have been in German |
- Accepted?
- Yes
- Notes
- The classic; B2/C1/C2 also count
- Accepted?
- Yes
- Notes
- Widely available test centers
- Accepted?
- Yes
- Notes
- Austrian provider, same value
Check the skill breakdown on your certificate.
- Accepted?
- Yes — IF B1 in every skill
- Notes
- A DTZ with A2 in one skill does NOT count
- Accepted?
- Yes
- Notes
- They exceed B1
- Accepted?
- Waives the proof
- Notes
- Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, (Fach-)Abitur
- Accepted?
- Waives the proof
- Notes
- The whole program must have been in German
Exemptions: inability due to illness, disability or age waives the requirement entirely (Abs. 6); the guest-worker generation (arrived FRG ≤ 30.06.1974 / GDR contract workers ≤ 13.06.1990, plus co-migrated spouses) only needs oral everyday communication.
Not at B1 yet? That's the one requirement that takes real months — start the exam-prep track now and let the residence clock do the rest of the waiting.
The Einbürgerungstest — how it really works
33
Questions: 30 general + 3 about your Bundesland
17
Correct answers to pass — 51.5%
60 min
Time limit — most finish in 20
Every question comes from the public BAMF catalog: 300 general questions plus 10 per Bundesland (460 total, Stand 07.05.2025). Multiple choice, one correct answer out of four. Register via your local VHS; the fee is 25 €; the certificate does not expire.
Exemptions: a German school-leaving certificate, or inability due to illness/disability/age (Abs. 6), or the guest-worker clause. A flat "over 65 = exempt" rule circulating online is not in the statute — if age or illness makes the test difficult, ask your Behörde about the Abs. 6 route instead of relying on blog posts.
Three catalog questions ask about current officeholders (chancellor, largest Bundestag fractions, federal president). Their correct answers follow the official catalog (Stand 07.05.2025) — our trainer flags exactly these questions so a changed government never costs you a point.
The smart order
Today: start the test catalog
~2 weeks of commutesPractice all 460 official questions — with a plain-English why on every answer, weak spots resurface first, English translations throughout.
Take the mock until you clear 25+
60 min eachThe 33-question mock replays the real format with your Bundesland's questions and the 60-minute clock. Passing at 25+ consistently = book the real test.
Book the real test at your VHS
25 €Results typically arrive within weeks. File the certificate away — it keeps forever.
B1 in parallel
The long poleStructured B1 prep + the Leben-in-Deutschland flashcard deck for daily retention.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Keine Rechtsberatung — general information, not legal advice. Exemption decisions are made by your Einbürgerungsbehörde.