Leben in Deutschland Test: How To
What You Need To Know
Price
As of November 2025, the fee for taking the Leben in Deutschland test is €25.
However, schools may add their own administrative fees on top of it.
For example, the Inlingua school in Berlin charges €50.
Place
Unfortunately, there is no single entry point.
You can try going to the closest VHS (Volkshochschule).
Alternatively, you can check other organizations (mainly language schools).
For example, Inlingua school in Berlin offers it.
Scheduling
Unfortunately, it’s not straightforward to schedule an appointment as well as to pay for it.
Keep in mind that typically you will need at least to call the school.
For example, at Inlingua, you need to check whether it’s possible to schedule an exam. If it isn’t, call them and ask when you have to re-check it again.
Payment
Payment methods may vary depending on the school.
n general, be prepared to pay by cash, PayPal, or an EC card (Girocard).
Payment by a regular card (e.g., Visa or Mastercard) is very likely not possible.
Speed
The time needed to assess your submission is directly tied to BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) workload.
Typically, they say that processing takes 3–4 months, but in practice it can go much faster—often within four weeks.
Result
Your school is going to notify you once the certificate is ready.
That will be a single A4 paper.
Keep it carefully, and don’t forget that it’s very important to check your personal data on the day of the exam (more on that below).
Bottom Line
For the German naturalization exam, you need to call or visit a nearby school (VHS or another one, if possible) to schedule it.
You should expect around €50 as the total fee.
Expect that paying by a regular card is not possible though PayPal is likely an option.
You can expect the result within a month, but be prepared for a much longer waiting time (several months).
When taking the exam, pay attention to your date of birth and exact name spelling—mistakes can make the certificate invalid (you are responsible here).
Day of Exam
Take an identity document of your choice with you. Presenting your passport is not mandatory; for example, a German residence permit card is totally fine.
You will be asked to put it on the desk in front of you in the corner.
You will also be asked to hand in your smartphone and smartwatch before the exam begins and collect them at the reception desk when leaving.
You will be offered a seat and once everyone is ready, the teacher will start explaining everything you need to know. This will almost certainly be in German only, but it’s simple enough that you probably won’t miss anything even if you don’t fully command the language.
First, the teacher will explain that you must carefully check your personal data on the form on the first page. You have to sign this form. Be especially attentive here—it’s absolutely possible that e.g., your name is spelled wrong. Fix the mistakes if any and sign it.
Then, they explain how to correct your answers. The mechanism is simple:
- First, mark the correct answer with a cross (X).
- If you later think you were wrong, mark another checkbox by filling it (square).
- If you later think you were wrong again, you can mark an answer by filling the checkbox and putting it in a circle (a square in a circle).
After explaining all the rules, including those regarding the starting time and exam duration, the teacher will start handing the papers out. Once you receive them, focus entirely on the form with your personal data on the first page and continue waiting so all applicants can proceed at the same time. If you do not respect this rule, you may be expelled from the room (exam is automatically failed in that case).
Bringing bags is not a problem, but you will be asked to leave them in a storage area for free.
Of course, you will have a pen on your table.
Do not rush and start with questions you are most confident with. Good luck!