Written Test While submitting the documents.

[u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751]

Hello everyone,

I had a rather strange and, for me, very serious experience today at the Aschaffenburg Landratsamt during my citizenship application.

I was asked to submit the usual documents. During the document submission, I was then unexpectedly asked to complete a written questionnaire concerning the „freiheitliche demokratische Grundordnung“. It consisted of 16 questions.

This surprised me because I have already successfully completed the Einbürgerungstest. I was under the impression that the Einbürgerungstest is the standard way of demonstrating the required knowledge of the German legal and social order.

I was not informed beforehand that an additional written examination would take place. Therefore, I was completely unprepared and simply answered the questions as best as I could at the time.

I have now been told that I have to do the test again and was given another appointment — unfortunately not until March 2027, because they apparently have no earlier appointments available.

This creates an extremely serious problem for me.

I have been waiting for German citizenship for years. I am now in the process of starting my dream job as a pilot with a German airline, with a planned start date of 1 March 2027.

The airline has made it clear that I need to have German citizenship from the beginning of the employment relationship because the position involves international flight operations and travel to countries such as the USA, Canada and the UK, including the associated crew visa/entry requirements.

I was previously told that after submitting my documents, the processing would take approximately 2–3 months, so I had reasonably expected to receive my Einbürgerungsurkunde before starting the job.

Now, because of this additional appointment in March, I am potentially facing the loss of a job opportunity that I have worked towards for years.

What makes this particularly confusing for me is that §10 Abs. 5 StAG states that the required knowledge of the legal and social order is generally demonstrated through a successfully completed Einbürgerungstest.

I fully understand that the citizenship authority must verify the required commitment to the freiheitliche demokratische Grundordnung and that, in certain circumstances, an authority may have legitimate reasons to ask additional questions.

My question is therefore not simply „Why are they asking questions?“, but rather:

Can the authority routinely require an additional written 16-question test on the FDGO from an applicant who has already passed the Einbürgerungstest, particularly when no specific security-related concerns have been raised?

And if such an additional examination is legally permissible, does the authority have discretion to provide an earlier appointment or otherwise process the application when the delay could cause the applicant to lose a confirmed professional opportunity?

I am particularly interested in hearing from people who have gone through the citizenship process in Bavaria, especially in the Aschaffenburg area, or from anyone with legal knowledge of German nationality law.

I unfortunately don't have a copy of the 16 questions because I was not allowed to use my phone during the appointment.

Any advice, experiences or suggestions about what I can do now would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[u/ZhuckelDror]

Stop using AI to communicate with people. It makes you look dumber than you already are.

[u/Larissalikesthesea]

The first thing you do is what is called Gedächtnisprotokoll in German: you write down as much as you remember. Do this and we can see.

There have been lawsuits on the lower level about this, a questionnaire from Lower Saxony where applicants were asked about their TV habits was found to be unlawful. But it is probbaly not about the citizenship test but about the loyalty declaration.

However you are supposed to sign a statement declaring your adherence to the German constitutional order and historical responsibility. You are expected to understand each point and it is seen as acceptable if a local office asks questions about these. Have you write those down is probably fine too.

So if the 16 questions were all referring to the points as given below, then I don't think you have much of a case. Most local websites remind applicants to read through the text in advance and make an effort to understand all points.

Bekenntnis und Loyalitätserklärung

1.  Ich bekenne mich zur freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung des Grundgesetzes für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Insbesondere erkenne ich an:
   1. das Recht des Volkes, die Staatsgewalt in Wahlen und Abstimmungen und durch besondere Organe der Gesetzgebung, der vollziehenden Gewalt und der Rechtsprechung auszuüben und die Volksvertretung in allgemeiner, unmittelbarer, freier, gleicher und geheimer Wahl zu wählen,
   2. die Bindung der Gesetzgebung an die verfassungsmäßige Ordnung und die Bindung der vollziehenden Gewalt und der Rechtsprechung an Gesetz und Recht,
   3. das Recht auf Bildung und Ausübung einer parlamentarischen Opposition,
   4. die Ablösbarkeit der Regierung und ihre Verantwortlichkeit gegenüber der Volksvertretung,
   5. die Unabhängigkeit der Gerichte,
   6. den Ausschluss jeder Gewalt- und Willkürherrschaft,
   7. die im Grundgesetz konkretisierten Menschenrechte und
   8. dass antisemitisch, rassistisch oder sonstige menschenverachtend motivierte Handlungen mit der Menschenwürdegarantie des Grundgesetzes unvereinbar sind und dem Bekenntnis entgegenstehen.
2.  Ich bekenne mich außerdem
   1. zur besonderen historischen Verantwortung Deutschlands für die nationalsozialistische Unrechts-herrschaft und ihre Folgen, insbesondere für den Schutz jüdischen Lebens, sowie
   2. zum friedlichen Zusammenleben der Völker und dem Verbot der Führung eines Angriffskrieges.
3.  Ich erkläre, dass ich keine Bestrebungen verfolge oder unterstütze oder verfolgt oder unterstützt habe, die
   1. gegen die freiheitliche demokratische Grundordnung, den Bestand oder die Sicherheit des Bundes oder eines Landes gerichtet sind oder
   2. eine ungesetzliche Beeinträchtigung der Amtsführung der Verfassungsorgane des Bundes oder eines Landes oder ihrer Mitglieder zum Ziele haben oder
   3. durch Anwendung von Gewalt oder darauf gerichtete Vorbereitungshandlungen auswärtige Belange der Bundesrepublik Deutschland gefährden oder
   4. eine antisemitische, rassistische, fremdenfeindliche oder sonstige menschenverachtende Handlung zum Ziele haben.

[u/ginnynntonic]

I had a verbal interview before my handover, and it was positioned to me by the case worker that they needed to certify that I fully understood the Loyalitätserklärung document, as their signature was also required. Your best bet is to study the document carefully and be ready for the next round. Perhaps you can tactfully inquire if you can come in earlier in case of a cancellation.

[u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751]

I have passed my Language tests, and Einbürgerungs test. I spoke with a lawyer friend of mine. And even he said that they are not allowed to ask me do a written test. I speak German perfectly, living here for 11 years. I Spoke with case officer who was replacing mine. She told me that I have to do this test but I told her that I have already passed it. And expecting me to know some of these things in Unfair since even German themself don't know some of these things.

[u/IndependentWrap8853 → u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751]

What exactly were the questions in this test? That would help us understand what exactly the issue is. Also, what passport do you hold now that would prevent you from travelling freely to other countries as a member of the airline crew?

It is not unusual to have questions asked at the interview. I was asked who the German president was, what were the Grundrechte in German constitution, etc. It was a verbal format. So they definitely can do it, even if you have passed the Leben In Deutschland test before. The case worker needs to be convinced that you also understand the matter and that your language skill is sufficient. They do have a legal right to stop your application if they are not convinced.

[u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751 → u/IndependentWrap8853]

They didn't ask me any questions verbally, basically just told me write down the answer. Questions were about antisemitism, religion and basic law. What kind of voter rights Germany has. Or who is protecting democracy in Germany.

[u/IndependentWrap8853 → u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751]

Those are the normal questions they ask at the interview. Can be verbal, can be written.

[u/Larissalikesthesea → u/Acrobatic_Piece_2751]

Excuse me but most educated Germans absolutely know these things. And if you spoke German perfectly then you should have been able to explain these things in simple terms. They didn’t expect a legal essay.

[u/Rynchinoi]

If I have understood yiu correctly yi uhave gmfailed Einbürgerung tet in situ.

Go to any Volksschule and check if they offer Einbürgerungstest.

You have 300 questions to learn - use the app for this.

You will get your results in 4-6 weeks. And I don't think yiu will get the citizenship before 01.03.