What is the "Living in Germany" Test?
The «Leben in Deutschland» (LiD) test is the final exam taken by participants of the Orientation Course (Orientierungskurs) in Germany. This exam is one of the key requirements for foreigners wishing to settle permanently in the country.
Successfully passing this test opens doors to two crucial legal statuses:
- Niederlassungserlaubnis (Permanent Residence): A permanent residence permit that allows you to live in Germany indefinitely and work without restrictions.
- Einbürgerung (Naturalization): Obtaining a German passport. Since 2024, following the citizenship law reform, the role of this test has only increased as integration requirements have become stricter.
Exam Structure: What to Prepare For?
The exam is a classic multiple-choice test. You are given a question booklet where each question offers 4 possible answers (A, B, C, D). Only one of them is correct.
Key Test Parameters for 2026:
- Number of questions per paper: 33 questions.
- Time allowed: 60 minutes (1 hour). This is more than enough time; most prepared candidates finish in 10–15 minutes.
- Language: Exclusively German. You cannot use dictionaries or phones during the exam. That is why our simulator with translation is so useful during preparation — it helps you understand the meaning of complex legal terms in advance.
Detailed Breakdown of the 310 Questions
The complete catalog of questions approved by BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) consists of 310 items. It is impossible to learn them all in one evening, so systematic preparation via a simulator is critical. The questions are divided into three major thematic blocks:
1. Politics and Democracy
This is the most difficult section for most migrants. It tests knowledge of the FRG's political system. You will answer questions about:
- Constitutional bodies: What does the Bundestag do? What is the role of the Bundesrat? Who elects the Federal Chancellor, and who elects the Federal President?
- Basic Law (Grundgesetz): Human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly. For example: "What does the term Rechtsstaat (rule of law) mean?"
- Electoral system: What is the "5 percent hurdle"? Who has the right to vote?
2. History and Responsibility
Germany pays huge attention to processing its past. You must know the key milestones of 20th-century history:
- National Socialism (1933–1945): Hitler's rise to power, World War II, the Holocaust. Questions focus on understanding Germany's responsibility for Nazi crimes.
- Division of Germany: Formation of the GDR (DDR) and FRG (BRD), construction of the Berlin Wall, the Stasi, the Peaceful Revolution.
- Reunification: Events of 1989/1990, the reunification of the country.
- European Integration: Germany's role in the EU, the Schengen Area, the Euro.
3. People and Society
The most "everyday" section, but there are tricky parts here too. Topics include:
- Social system: Insurance (health, pension), benefits (child benefit).
- Education: School system, parental duties (compulsory schooling).
- Living together: Equality between men and women, tolerance, religious freedom. Example question: "Who has the right to raise children in Germany? (Answer: Parents, the state intervenes only in extreme cases)".
Federal States (Bundesländer) Specifics
The last 3 questions in your exam paper (questions 31 to 33) always relate to the federal state where you are registered. Our simulator allows you to select your region in the settings.
What do they ask in state-specific questions?
- What does your state's coat of arms look like?
- What is the state parliament called (almost everywhere it's Landtag, but in Hamburg and Bremen — Bürgerschaft, in Berlin — Abgeordnetenhaus)?
- How often are elections held in your state (usually every 5 years, but in Bremen — 4 years)?
- Who is the head of government (Minister President or Mayor)?
Scoring System: 15 or 17 Points?
Test results are graded strictly by the number of correct answers. Mistakes do not subtract points; they simply earn zero.
| Score | Result | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 15 | Failed | Must retake (unlimited attempts allowed) |
| 15 — 16 | Passed (LiD) | Sufficient for Permanent Residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and B1 certificate. But NOT sufficient for citizenship. |
| 17 — 33 | Passed (Einbürgerung) | Sufficient for German Citizenship. This is the "Gold Standard". |
Why is our Web Simulator Better than Apps?
Many users look for apps on the App Store or Google Play. However, the web version of the simulator has undeniable advantages that save your time and phone resources.
| Feature | DeutschPortal (Web) | Regular Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Installation & Storage | ✅ Zero space used | ❌ Must download (100MB+) |
| Start Speed | ✅ 3 seconds | ❌ Registration, login |
| Translation | ✅ Built-in instantly | ❌ Often German only |
| 2026 Updates | ✅ Updates online | ❌ Must update App |
- No Installation: Modern apps weigh 100-200 MB. Our site loads instantly even with slow internet.
- Instant Updates: If the Chancellor or a law changes in Germany, app questions might become outdated until you download an update. On the site, changes take effect the very same second.
- Cross-platform: Start the test on your computer during lunch break and continue on your phone in the subway. The interface adapts to any screen.
- Integrated Translation: We use advanced APIs to translate complex terms, which is often unavailable in offline apps.
