Can You Take the German Citizenship Test in Your Own Language?

The Official Exam Is in German Only

The Leben in Deutschland Test is conducted entirely in German, without exception. There are no translated versions, no interpreters, and no alternative-language test booklets. Every candidate sits the same German-language exam — all 33 questions, four answer options, and all instructions are in German.

The goal of studying is not just knowing the answers, but recognizing the correct German wording under exam conditions. Even if you understand a concept perfectly in your native language, you need to read the German question and four options quickly within the 60-minute time limit. Studying in your language first, then transitioning to the German wording, is the most effective approach.

Note that a separate German language certificate (typically B1 level) is a distinct requirement for citizenship — not part of the Leben in Deutschland Test. See the full guide to the Leben in Deutschland Test for more on citizenship requirements.

Why Studying in Your Language Works

Preparing for a German-language exam in your own language is a well-established and effective strategy. When you study questions and explanations in a language you understand fluently, you learn the underlying concepts more deeply than if you simultaneously struggle to decode German text. Once a concept is secure in your mind, the German wording becomes much easier to process quickly under exam conditions.

This is especially true for the factual content covered by the 310 BAMF questions: civic structures, historical events, constitutional principles, and social norms. Each question has one correct answer, and understanding why it is correct makes it far more memorable than simple memorization. Einbürger displays every question in your chosen language alongside the German original, so you build familiarity with the German phrasing from the very start of your preparation.

The 14 Languages Available in Einbürger

Einbürger supports 14 languages, covering the most widely spoken non-German languages among people living in Germany and applying for citizenship. The full list is: German, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Greek, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Albanian, Serbian, English, Russian, and Farsi.

These languages were selected to reflect the diversity of Germany's naturalization applicants. Turkish is the most widely spoken non-German language in Germany. Arabic is spoken by a large community of applicants from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and other countries. Ukrainian has become increasingly relevant following the significant increase in Ukrainian residents in Germany since 2022. The remaining languages cover major communities from Southern and Eastern Europe and beyond.

If your language is on this list, you can study entirely in your language from the very first session. If your language is not on the list, studying in English or another language you know well is still far more effective than trying to learn all 310 questions from scratch in German if your German is at an early stage. The exam questions on the citizenship threshold are the same regardless of how you prepared.

Recommended Study Method for Non-German Speakers

The most effective approach is two phases. In phase one, learn all 310 questions in your own language using Einbürger's Study Mode. Read each question, consider the four options, and review the correct answer and explanation. Your goal here is to understand the material — not to memorize German text.

In phase two, switch the app to German and go through the same questions again. You are no longer learning new information — you are matching German vocabulary to concepts you already understand. This phase goes much faster because the cognitive load is lower. Many civic terms repeat across questions, so the German vocabulary for the exam context builds quickly.

After both phases, run regular Exam Mode simulations in German to replicate real exam conditions. If specific questions remain difficult to parse in German, switch back to your language briefly, then return to German. Consistent daily practice in short sessions is more effective than long irregular study periods. Einbürger's daily goal tracker and streak feature help you build and maintain that habit until exam day.