Try it for yourself
10Niedersachsen · Niedersachsen’s ministries and the federation

Niedersachsen has no foreign minister of its own.

Justice, finance and interior affairs are state portfolios. Germany’s relations with other countries are primarily a federal responsibility.

About 4 min readReviewed: 20 October 2026
AI-generated simple interior with two empty workspaces and a connecting doorway.
Basic Law and state governmentArticle 32 · Foreign relations
Symbolic cooperation across areas of responsibility; not a real ministry.
The short answer

Foreign Minister is correct.

The question asks for the absent office. Niedersachsen has no foreign-minister office of its own, although the state cooperates internationally and across borders.

Try it for yourselfNiedersachsen · No. 10
Which minister does Niedersachsen not have?

Choose one answer. Your result stays on this page only.

The negative wording is the key.

Pay attention to the word not in the question. Three of the proposed portfolios belong to the state government. Foreign Minister, however, is not a Niedersachsen ministerial office. The current government overview confirms that distinction.

Article 32 of the Basic Law states that maintaining relations with foreign states is a federal responsibility. This does not prohibit all international contacts by federal states. Niedersachsen has European and cross-border cooperation among its responsibilities.

Three fictional adults discuss a blank shared worksheet at a table.
AI-generated cooperation; not real diplomats, ministers or a documented agreement.

The other three answers

These three portfolios exist at state level.

Justice Minister

Niedersachsen has a justice portfolio. It is therefore not the absent office asked for. Justice administration does not mean directing judicial decisions.

Finance Minister

A finance portfolio belongs to the state government and handles state finances. The federation also managing finances does not remove this state responsibility.

Interior Minister

An interior portfolio also belongs to Niedersachsen’s government. Responsibilities within the state are distinct from Germany’s foreign relations.

International cooperation remains possible.

Under Article 32, states may also conclude treaties with foreign states in areas within their legislative competence, with the federal government’s consent. The rule is therefore more precise than “states may never act externally”. Niedersachsen’s constitution also regulates the state’s external representation.

A portfolio for Europe or regional cooperation is not the same as a foreign ministry. Likewise, a justice ministry may administer courts, but may not tell independent judges how to decide a particular case. Responsibilities and legal limits belong together.

Article 32 · Foreign relations · Basic Law and state government ↗
Your memory cue

The question asks “not”: Foreign Minister.

International contacts are possible; a separate foreign-minister office does not exist.

Three words for this question

das Außenministeriumforeign ministry
The department responsible for a country’s relations with other states.
grenzüberschreitendcross-border
Extending across a national or regional border.
die Zuständigkeitresponsibility / competence
The area of work legally assigned to a body.
Grundgesetz · Artikel 32 ↗

Place the specialist portfolios within state government.

NI 09What is the head of government called in Niedersachsen?
Catalogue answer

Minister President

The head of government leads the cabinet.

NI 07The state capital of Niedersachsen is called ...
Catalogue answer

Hannover

Hannover provides the state-capital connection.

Put understanding into practice

One question understood. Ready for the next?

Practise all 310 questions for your state in our four free modes. No account needed. No advertising.

Keep practising for free Explore Plus

Optional: Plus for history, statistics and targeted revision. €4.99/month including VAT, renewing monthly.

Sources & context

An independently written study guide, not an official BAMF publication or advice for an individual case. The sources below were reviewed on 20 October 2026 for the claims explained here; the test question comes from the existing question bank.

The two editorial pictures are AI-generated illustrations. They do not document real events or official proceedings.