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Federal and state government

Germany has 16 federal states. This topic helps you distinguish federal, state and local government. Learn the general terms first, then study the ten additional questions for your own federal state.

English translations help you learn. The official examination is in German.

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Useful German vocabulary

der Bund
the federal level of government
das Bundesland
federal state

Question 24

Wie viele Bundesländer hat die Bundesrepublik Deutschland?

How many federal states does the Federal Republic of Germany have?

  1. 1414
  2. 1515
  3. 1616
  4. 1717
Correct answer and explanation

C. 16

16

Germany consists of 16 federal states. These include, for example, Bavaria, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony.

Question 25

Was ist kein Bundesland der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?

Which is not a federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany?

  1. Elsass-LothringenAlsace-Lorraine
  2. Nordrhein-WestfalenNorth Rhine-Westphalia
  3. Mecklenburg-VorpommernMecklenburg-Western Pomerania
  4. Sachsen-AnhaltSaxony-Anhalt
Correct answer and explanation

A. Elsass-Lothringen

Alsace-Lorraine

Alsace-Lorraine is not a German federal state. North Rhine-Westphalia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Saxony-Anhalt, by contrast, are among the 16 federal states.

Question 37

Wie werden die Regierungschefinnen / Regierungschefs der meisten Bundesländer in Deutschland genannt?

What are the heads of government of most federal states in Germany called?

  1. Erste Ministerin / Erster MinisterFirst Minister
  2. Premierministerin / PremierministerPrime Minister
  3. Senatorin / SenatorSenator
  4. Ministerpräsidentin / MinisterpräsidentMinister-President
Correct answer and explanation

D. Ministerpräsidentin / Ministerpräsident

Minister-President

In most federal states, the head of government is called the Minister-President. In some city-states, different official titles are used.

Question 39

Was hat jedes deutsche Bundesland?

What does every German federal state have?

  1. eine eigene Außenministerin / einen eigenen Außenministerits own foreign minister
  2. eine eigene Währungits own currency
  3. eine eigene Armeeits own army
  4. eine eigene Regierungits own government
Correct answer and explanation

D. eine eigene Regierung

its own government

Every German federal state has its own state government. By contrast, not every federal state has its own currency, army, or foreign ministry.

Question 49

Wer bestimmt in Deutschland die Schulpolitik?

Who determines school policy in Germany?

  1. die Lehrer und Lehrerinnenteachers
  2. die Bundesländerthe federal states
  3. das Familienministeriumthe Family Ministry
  4. die Universitätenuniversities
Correct answer and explanation

B. die Bundesländer

the federal states

In Germany, school policy is primarily the responsibility of the federal states. Therefore, rules and school systems can differ from one state to another.

Question 56

Welches Amt gehört in Deutschland zur Gemeindeverwaltung?

Which office in Germany belongs to the municipal administration?

  1. Pfarramtparish office
  2. Ordnungsamtpublic order office
  3. Finanzamttax office
  4. Auswärtiges AmtFederal Foreign Office
Correct answer and explanation

B. Ordnungsamt

public order office

The public order office belongs to the municipal administration. It is responsible, for example, for public order, certain permits, and local regulations.

Question 62

Wenn das Parlament eines deutschen Bundeslandes gewählt wird, nennt man das …

When the parliament of a German federal state is elected, this is called a ...

  1. Kommunalwahllocal election
  2. Landtagswahlstate parliament election
  3. EuropawahlEuropean election
  4. BundestagswahlBundestag election
Correct answer and explanation

B. Landtagswahl

state parliament election

The election of a federal state's parliament is called a state parliament election. Citizens elect the members of the respective state parliament.

Question 64

Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist heute gegliedert in …

Today, the Federal Republic of Germany is divided into ...

  1. vier Besatzungszonen.four occupation zones.
  2. einen Oststaat und einen Weststaat.an eastern state and a western state.
  3. 16 Kantone.16 cantons.
  4. Bund, Länder und Kommunen.the federation, federal states, and municipalities.
Correct answer and explanation

D. Bund, Länder und Kommunen.

the federation, federal states, and municipalities.

Germany has a federal structure. There is the federation, the federal states, and the municipalities, each with its own responsibilities.

Question 67

Was ist in Deutschland vor allem eine Aufgabe der Bundesländer?

What is primarily a responsibility of the federal states in Germany?

  1. Verteidigungspolitikdefense policy
  2. Außenpolitikforeign policy
  3. Wirtschaftspolitikeconomic policy
  4. Schulpolitikeducation policy
Correct answer and explanation

D. Schulpolitik

education policy

Education policy is primarily the responsibility of the federal states. This is why school systems and rules can differ between the states.

Question 69

Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland hat einen dreistufigen Verwaltungsaufbau. Wie heißt die unterste politische Stufe?

The Federal Republic of Germany has a three-tier administrative structure. What is the lowest political level called?

  1. Stadträtecity councils
  2. Landrätedistrict administrators
  3. Gemeindenmunicipalities
  4. Bezirksämterdistrict offices
Correct answer and explanation

C. Gemeinden

municipalities

The lowest political level is the municipalities. They are responsible for many local tasks, such as roads, daycare centers, and municipal facilities.

Question 85

Wer bildet den deutschen Bundesrat?

Who makes up the German Bundesrat?

  1. die Abgeordneten des Bundestagesthe members of the Bundestag
  2. die Ministerinnen und Minister der Bundesregierungthe ministers of the federal government
  3. die Regierungsvertreter der Bundesländerthe government representatives of the federal states
  4. die Parteimitgliederthe party members
Correct answer and explanation

C. die Regierungsvertreter der Bundesländer

the government representatives of the federal states

The Bundesrat consists of members of the governments of the federal states. In this way, the states participate in political decisions at the federal level.

Question 90

Die deutschen Bundesländer wirken an der Gesetzgebung des Bundes mit durch …

The German federal states participate in federal legislation through ...

  1. den Bundesrat.the Bundesrat.
  2. die Bundesversammlung.the Federal Convention.
  3. den Bundestag.the Bundestag.
  4. die Bundesregierung.the federal government.
Correct answer and explanation

A. den Bundesrat.

the Bundesrat.

The federal states participate in federal legislation through the Bundesrat. For many laws, the Bundesrat has important participation rights.

Question 91

In Deutschland kann ein Regierungswechsel in einem Bundesland Auswirkungen auf die Bundespolitik haben. Das Regieren wird …

In Germany, a change of government in a federal state can affect federal politics. Governing becomes ...

  1. schwieriger, wenn sich dadurch die Mehrheit im Bundestag ändert.more difficult if this changes the majority in the Bundestag.
  2. leichter, wenn dadurch neue Parteien in den Bundesrat kommen.easier if new parties thereby enter the Bundesrat.
  3. schwieriger, wenn dadurch die Mehrheit im Bundesrat verändert wird.more difficult if this changes the majority in the Bundesrat.
  4. leichter, wenn es sich um ein reiches Bundesland handelt.easier if it is a wealthy federal state.
Correct answer and explanation

C. schwieriger, wenn dadurch die Mehrheit im Bundesrat verändert wird.

more difficult if this changes the majority in the Bundesrat.

A change of government in a federal state can alter the balance of majorities in the Bundesrat. This can make it more difficult for the federal government to pass certain laws.

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Einbürgerungstest Baden-Württemberg: 10 state questionsQuestions and explanations →Einbürgerungstest Bayern: 10 state questionsQuestions and explanations →Einbürgerungstest Berlin: 10 state questionsQuestions and explanations →

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Sources and edition

These study pages use the same question dataset as the EBTest app, based on the BAMF catalogue dated 7 May 2025. Translations, study categories and explanations are independent learning aids, not official BAMF material. Check the BAMF for current information. Practice results are not official certificates.