Is caning compatible with the German Basic Law? Or: For which festival do people in Germany wear colorful costumes and masks? In order to obtain German citizenship, immigrants generally have to meet eight requirements – one of which is the so-called naturalization test.
The test is based on a questionnaire with 310 multiple-choice questions, ten of which are state-specific. According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany” is queried.
The BAMF provides information on its website www.bamf.de about the test centers in the respective federal states. The test is passed if the candidate has correctly answered 17 of the 33 questions from the entire catalog of questions in 60 minutes. If an applicant fails, the test can be repeated.
Six, seven, or eight years of residency
Further requirements: an unlimited right of residence at the time of naturalization or an EU Blue Card (residence permit for foreign academics). Under certain circumstances, a temporary residence permit is sufficient.
As a rule, immigrants must also provide evidence of their habitual and legal residence in Germany for eight years. Thanks to the successful integration course, this time can be reduced to seven years.
In the case of a special integration achievement, six years of residence may be sufficient. This can be the case, for example, if your knowledge of German is particularly good or if you can prove that you have been involved in volunteer work for a longer period of time.
Old citizenship is given up
Additional conditions: an independent means of subsistence, sufficient knowledge of German (at least B1 level), no conviction for a criminal offense and a commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.
An immigrant may have to agree to renounce his old nationality. There are exceptions depending on the country of origin.
Naturalization costs money
If all requirements are met, there is still one hurdle: the financial one. Applicants have to pay at least 25 euros for the naturalization test and 255 euros for the certificate. Additional costs may be incurred for the procurement of certificates, translations and certifications.
Applicants who have completed their schooling in Germany do not have to take the naturalization test. Likewise, anyone who is unable to do so because of a physical, mental or psychological illness, disability or age. (dpa/tmn)
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Source: Tagesspiegel
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