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GERMAN CITIZENSHIP

‘Memorise grammar’: How foreigners in Germany passed the B1 language test for citizenship

News that the federal traffic light coalition will soon allow dual citizenship has more than a few long-term residents booking their language tests. So how hard is the B1 test? We asked a few people who’ve done it.

Published: 1 February 2023 09:42 CET
Updated: 4 February 2023 08:46 CET

Students study from a textbook at a school in Munich

Students study from a German textbook at a language school in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

German citizenship laws are set to get a big overhaul this year, but at least one requirement will remain the same – the B1 German language test for people who want to get citizenship on a standard track.

In addition to allowing dual citizenship, the German government’s new draft nationality law is set to reduce the amount of time someone needs to have been resident in Germany from eight years to five for a standard track. Applicants on a fast track will be able to get citizenship after just three years – if they can pass a C1 German exam.

That fast track is down in time from six years but carries a higher language requirement than the current fast track ask of B2 German.

If you’ve been a resident for at least five years though, most of your requirements generally stay the same. You won’t have to renounce your other passports, but you’ll need to pass both the German citizenship test and a B1 language test – just as you do now.

What does B1 level mean? What can a B1 speaker do?

A B1 speaker is classed as having an intermediate level of command in a language under the Common European Framework for Languages. There are six possible levels, with B1 being the third.

A B1 speaker should be able to communicate with native speakers without a lot of help, at least about everyday topics or even certain subjects they might be more familiar with, such as their hobbies or a bit about the work they do.

With this level, a B1 speaker would also be able to handle most situations that would come up on a trip, explain simple opinions, and describe events.

How does the B1 exam work and how hard is it?

Like most German exams, the B1 exam is divided into four sections – speaking, reading, writing, and listening. You need to get 60 percent to pass the exam.

Most Local readers we asked said that, with a little preparation, the B1 exam is nothing to be scared of.

“I actually found it quite easy,” says Fraser Seifert, a New Zealander coming up on his fifth year in Germany. Seifert took an intensive class that gave him a lot of practice material. “Find as many practice exams as you can. If you can find a preparation class, I found it super helpful.”

Taking so many practice exams, Seifert says, will help you understand exactly what the exam is asking you to do.

“I knew that in order to pass the writing section, I had to put certain grammatical clauses in each paragraph or sentence and write them in a specific format,” he says. “It’s very formulaic.”

The B1 test is full of writing exercises that will test specific points of German grammar. Many readers recommend getting special study material. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Uwe Anspach

Local readers also suggested using several online resources to help out, especially if you haven’t really done conventional language learning, like in a class.

“I picked up my German from speaking, so had to hit the grammar books to iron out a few irregularities,” says Beth Ingham. She’s already passed her B1 test and is going for her C1 soon.

Ingham recommends the VHS Lernportal.

“I would recommend memorising phrases which show off your command of grammar – ie. dative, adjective endings,” says Emma Midgley. “Find a textbook with grammar drills that you can practice.”

Midgley also recommends the Coffee Break German podcast.

“I went through the practice exams that Goethe Institute provided as well as a textbook for the exam prep,” says Jon Morris. “I also arranged a few 30-minute language exchanges with native speakers to go through the oral exam stuff.”

Another thing to prepare for is the exam environment itself.

“I remember the reading and writing elements being in one classroom laid out like an exam hall and then the speaking exam was in a much more relaxed environment,” says Charlie D., a Brit based in Bielefeld who did his exam after going to evening classes twice a week for three months.

“I ended up having a very good conversation with my examiner and getting 100 percent for that part of the exam.”

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When to consider legal action for your German citizenship application

Aside from allowing multiple citizenships, the new rules also make naturalisation possible after the applicant has lived five years in Germany rather than the current eight.

Andreas Moser, a Chemnitz-based immigration and family lawyer who runs a popular blog on German citizenship, says it’s still hard to say what exact effects the new rules may have on wait times. That’s because although the volume of applications is likely to increase, the most complicated and time-consuming part of many applications historically has been when an applicant petitions to keep their previous citizenship.

With that step no longer necessary, Moser expects the amount of time needed to process individual applications to go down – even as the volume increases. That doesn’t mean waiting forever though.

EXPLAINED: How to get a speedy response on your German citizenship application

So when should your patience run out?

How long should you wait before raising a legal fuss?

Moser says a good rule of thumb is to be patient for at least three months. If you file your application and receive no response or update by then, you should consider sending the authorities a letter requesting an update or a timeline.

At the end of your letter, you might even choose to threaten to file an Untätigkeitsklage if you don’t get a response within two months.

Wait! What’s an Untätigkeitsklage?

Roughly translated, an Untätigkeitsklage is a legal complaint for an administrative authority’s “failure to act”.

You can file such a complaint with a Verwaltungsgericht – or administrative court – if a German public authority hasn’t responded to you within three months. That said, Moser recommends waiting for at least three months to threaten one and around six before actually filing one – as your case will be stronger. You can file an Untätigkeitsklage for any process that’s held up before a German authority – whether that’s a building permit, or a citizenship application.

“The Untätigkeitsklage is honestly something that sometimes does help,” Moser tells The Local. “If a citizenship office receives an Untätigkeitsklage through the administrative court, they have two options. One is, they reply to the administrative court and say ‘sorry, we have a huge backlog, personnel issues – we’re working on it.’ The second option is they say ‘okay, now this is getting serious – we may as well look at the file and do it.'”

KEY POINTS: What you need to know about Germany’s citizenship law reform

Moser says even if your Untätigkeitsklage is successful, you’re realistically waiting at least another two months from when you file it.

“But at least it’ll get moved to the top of the pile. You might get more attention if you file one,” he says. “Even if the citizenship authority replies to the court with that vague answer of ‘we’re working on it’ – the court may still give them a deadline.”

German Word of the Day: Untätigkeitsklage

German citizenship is now easier to obtain than finding an affordable apartment in Berlin or Munich. 😜https://t.co/0mXGg1TArp

— Andreas Moser (@AndreasMoser007) January 19, 2024

Such deadlines will give typically give the authority at least two months to act. However, German administrative courts have consistently ruled that a lack of staff isn’t typically enough justification for a delayed application. The only exception to this is if the personnel shortage is “surprising”.

“But this isn’t surprising. You can see this coming. This law has been discussed and debated for two years now,” says Moser.

CHECKLIST: What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?

When – and how – should you actually file an Untätigkeitsklage? What does it cost?

Moser says that if you threaten an Untätigkeitsklage in your follow-up letter after three months, but receive a response including a defined timeline of when you might be able to expect progress on your application – you can take that as evidence that your threat worked and you can probably avoid actually filing one.

If, however, their answers are vague, you can threaten to file one more time at six months – or actually go ahead and file. That said, actually filing an Untätigkeitsklage is a more complicated endeavour and there’s a few things to be aware of before you do, including costs and even required expertise.

First up, you will have to pay around €500 in court fees upfront – even if you choose to file it yourself. If you retain a lawyer to file one, you could be looking at around €1,000 in additional upfront legal costs. It’s important to note here though that you will get this money back if you actually win your case before the administrative court – with the negligent authority having to foot your fees. This is one of the reasons threatening to file an Untätigkeitsklage may actually spur your local authority to act before you actually have to file.

Immigration office Berlin

People wait outside of an immigration office in Berlin. The current backlog of German citizenship applications already has some eligible applicants waiting for over two years for their German passport. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Britta Pedersen

“Responding to an Untätigkeitsklage – or even the threat of one – also costs the caseworker so much time that they may as well just process the application because that’s faster,” says Moser. “I myself typically have the most success when I inform the authority that I’m about to file. I rarely have to actually file it.”

Moser advises that you shouldn’t feel the need to retain a lawyer to simply threaten your responsible German authority with an Untätigkeitsklage in letters to them. However, he recommends that you contact one if you actually do wish to file.

“If you file, you’ll have to go to German court and argue German administrative law. That’s challenging even for people who speak German very well as you need to also make legal arguments. You may as well hire a lawyer to actually file it. But I don’t think you need a lawyer to threaten them beforehand,” says Moser.

How likely are you to win an Untätigkeitsklage case?

You’re most likely to win your case if you can demonstrate that you filed a complete and organised application. The more complicated or disorganised your application – the more likely the government can claim the defense that your case requires more time because it’s complicated.

You’re likely to lose an Untätigkeitsklage case if your application is missing required information or documents – as the government then has a valid defence.

When else should you consider consulting a lawyer on your citizenship case?

Moser says most German citizenship cases are fairly straightforward and well-organised applicants should be able to get by in a reasonable time without a lawyer – even if they and up having to threaten their local authorities with an Untätigkeitsklage.

However, certain complex cases might benefit from having a more trained legal eye on them.

These include criminal convictions that are still on your record in Germany and carry a sentence of above 90 days.

“Above that there’s a grace period of another 21 days where it’s up to discretion. I currently have a client who was sentenced to 110 days for a non-violent crime with no drugs involved,” he says.

Another example might be if you have an uncertain period of residence, as might happen for cross-border workers or people who travel back to their home country for an extended period of time to care for an ailing relative, for example.

“These are the cases I would recommend people come in and see someone like me.”

Note: The Local’s guides are intended as a rough guide only and not as a substitute for legal advice.

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