With a sudden spike in the number of residents looking to take a naturalisation test, Berlin’s 12 adult education centres (Volkshochschulen) are overwhelmed despite more appointments being added and staff hired.

Berlin Volkshochschulen buckling under naturalisation test requests

With Germany’s new and relaxed citizenship law being implemented on June 27, the capital’s Volkshochschulen are overwhelmed with residents’ requests to take a citizenship test. Applicants must show up in person at one of the 12 schools to get an examination appointment, and despite more appointments being made available and more staff hired, prospective test takers struggle to get a Termin. 

Since 2006, the education centres have been responsible for facilitating Einbürgerungstests (citizenship tests) and Leben in Deutschland (Life in Germany) tests, one of which citizenship applicants have to take and pass before they can submit their application for a German passport.

According to broadcaster rbb, the way the test administration is organised also leads to results being delayed. Once an applicant has successfully registered for a test their registration is sent to Nuremberg, where a test of 30 questions is assembled from a bank of 300, plus three questions specific to Berlin. This test is then sent to Berlin to be completed and then returned to Nuremberg to be graded, which can take up to eight weeks.

Who has to take a German citizenship test?

In 2022, 9.000 residents were naturalised in Berlin, and with the new law soon to come, the Berlin Senate expects the annual figure to jump to 20.000 by the end of 2024.

But not everyone must take a citizenship test as part of the naturalisation process, some people are exempt. Exempt groups include; people who have done a degree in politics, law, or an administrative or social science subject at the bachelor, master or doctorate level at a German university, those who have completed vocational training in Germany and studied social science or political courses to attain a Berufsschulabschluss or anyone who studied at a German high school.

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