With the new Dual Citizenship Law (Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts) coming into effect in Germany, applications are skyrocketing. So, how do you register for the most critical step, the "Naturalization Test" (Einbürgerungstest)? Here is your step-by-step roadmap:
1. Eligibility Check
With the new law, residing in Germany for 5 years (3 years in special cases) is now sufficient for citizenship application. However, passing the test is mandatory.
2. Finding a Test Center
You can only take the exam at Volkshochschule (VHS) centers authorized by BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees).
- Tip: You can find the list of authorized test centers on the official BAMF website.
3. Registration in Person
Most VHS centers require you to go in person to register for the exam. Make sure to bring your passport (Reisepass) with you.
- Fee: The exam fee is a standard 25 Euro across Germany.
4. Exam Day
The exam lasts 60 minutes and consists of 33 questions. You need 17 correct answers to pass.
- 30 Questions: General (History, Politics, Society)
- 3 Questions: Specific to your Federal State (e.g., Who is the Prime Minister of Bavaria?)
5. Receiving Results
This is the part that requires patience. Receiving your result (Zertifikat) by mail can take 3-6 weeks depending on the workload. Do not lose this document; you will need to submit the original to the naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde).
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