German Citizenship by Naturalisation: Requirements, Process & FAQ

What is naturalisation in Germany?

Naturalisation (Einbürgerung) in Germany is the process by which a foreigner becomes a German citizen after meeting certain legal requirements.

In simple terms, it’s how you apply to officially join the German nation, giving you the same rights and responsibilities as someone who was born a German citizen.

Typically, you must have lived in Germany for a certain number of years (now 5 years under the updated law). You must also demonstrate your ability to support yourself financially, pass a language and citizenship test, and have no serious criminal record.

New changes to naturalisation law

Germany has made changes to its nationality laws as part of efforts to clarify its citizenship and immigration rules. Here are some new updates 

Residence requirement reduced from 8 to 5 years

Previously, most people had to live in Germany for 8 years before applying for citizenship. Under the new rules, the wait is now 5 years. This means you can become a German citizen sooner and start enjoying the benefits like voting rights and visa-free travel across the EU.

3-Year path for “particularly well-integrated” individuals

If you’ve shown exceptional integration, you could qualify for citizenship after just 3 years of residence. The German citizenship requirements vary, but some examples include excelling in German language skills, volunteering, or contributing significantly to your community. This is the fastest route available under the new law.

Note: Germany’s parliament (Bundestag) recently passed a draft law to amend the naturalisation requirements. The 3-year fast-track pathway will no longer be available under this new draft. However, the law is not in effect yet. It still needs to go through final steps, review by the Bundesrat (Germany’s federal council), the President’s signature, and official publication. Once these are complete, the new rules will start applying from the date set in the law.

Dual citizenship is allowed for all

In the past, most applicants had to give up their previous citizenship to become German. Now, the new law allows everyone to hold dual (or even multiple) citizenships, removing a major barrier for many people.

Exemptions for guest workers

Guest workers, who came to Germany decades ago, will benefit from more flexible requirements, recognising their long-term contribution to the country’s workforce and society.

Enhanced democratic commitment clause

Applicants will now have to show an even stronger commitment to Germany’s democratic values. This means confirming your respect for the constitution and the principles it’s built on. This ensures new citizens are aligned with the country’s democratic framework.

Woman holding german flag after germany naturalsition ceremony

Benefits of German citizenship

Obtaining naturalisation in Germany means you are entitled to the rights and privileges of German citizens, such as:

Right to vote and run for office

As a German citizen, you have the right to participate in the democratic process by voting and being voted for in national and local elections. This gives you an opportunity to influence political decisions and contribute to shaping the country's policies. 
 

EU mobility and travel benefits

Being a German citizen means you enjoy the freedom to move and reside freely within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). This allows for increased mobility and access to opportunities in other EU/EEA member states. You can get a German Passport, which will allow you to travel visa-free to various countries.
 

Career opportunities

German citizens have unrestricted access to the German job market, including positions that may be reserved for citizens. This broadens the scope of professional opportunities and career advancements.
 

Residency security and diplomatic protection

Naturalised citizens benefit from the stability and security of long-term residence in Germany. Additionally, you can receive diplomatic protection and assistance from German embassies and consulates abroad.

Easier family reunification

German citizens have certain advantages when it comes to family reunification. You can easily bring family members, such as spouses and children, to live with you in Germany.

Requirements for standard German naturalisation

• You must have lived legally in Germany for at least five years. 
• You must have a Settlement or a Permanent residence permit. 
• You must declare your allegiance to the German constitution. 
• You must have a sufficient command of the German language (at least level B1). 
• You must take the German naturalisation test 
• You must be able to support yourself without falling back on social assistance unless this is due to circumstances beyond your control.
• You must not have committed any serious criminal offences. 

 Faster naturalisation for well-integrated individuals

• You have been a legal resident in Germany for at least three years.
• You must provide evidence of outstanding integration. This includes 
  • outstanding performance in school or at work
  • Volunteer work, for instance, with the fire brigade or helping others in your community.
• You must be able to financially support yourself and your dependent family members.
• You must have a command of German at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or higher.

Naturalisation for spouses, children, and special cases

You can become a German citizen by naturalisation through marriage or other paths. However, the requirements are different from the standard 5-year. Here are the requirements for spouses and special cases. 

Requirements for spouses' naturalisation

In addition to the general requirements for naturalisation: 

• You must be a spouse of a German citizen. 
• You must have lived legally in Germany for at least three years. 
• You must have been married for at least two years at the time of application. 

Naturalisation of children 

• At least one parent must have been legally and ordinarily resident in Germany for at least 5 years, 
• The parents’ residence must be lawful and permanent (not temporary).
• The parents must hold a permanent right of residence (unbefristetes Aufenthaltsrecht, e.g., Niederlassungserlaubnis or permanent EU residence) at the time of the child's birth.

Requirements for re-naturalisation

To apply for re-naturalisation in Germany:

• You must have formerly had German citizenship. 
• You must have habitual residence abroad. 

Requirements for naturalisation of skilled workers

In addition to the requirements for standard naturalisation:

• You must have a German degree/foreign degree/certificate that has been officially recognised. 
• You must ask your employer to fill out the declaration regarding a contract of employment if you have been offered a job. 
• You must have been issued written permission to work (or if you have been assured that you will receive this permission). 
• You must have a professional license or permit to work in a regulated profession like the healthcare sector.
   

Requirements for naturalisation for stateless persons

• You must have applied for naturalisation before your 21st birthday.
• You must be at least 16 years old or legally represented. 
• You must have been stateless since birth. 
• You must have been born in Germany or on a German aeroplane or ship. 
• You must have been a permanent resident in Germany legally for at least five years. 
• You must not have had a custodial or juvenile sentence of more than five years.

Required documents checklist

When applying to become a German citizen, you must provide some documents to confirm your identity and other information. The documents vary depending on your status. However, the common requirements include:  

Identity & civil status

• Completed naturalisation application form (handwritten).
• Valid Passport.
• Birth certificate (yours and your children’s, if applicable).
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Travel document for stateless persons (for stateless applicants).
• Declaration of loyalty to the German state.
  
   

Residency & legal status

• Valid residence permit.
• Proof of address (e.g., rental agreement).
• Police clearance report showing a clean criminal record.
• Proof that you are not currently receiving welfare benefits from the German state.
  
   

Employment & financial proof

• Employment contract or proof of employment.
• Proof of income (e.g., payslips, tax statements).
• Employer confirmation letter.

Education & language skills

• School-leaver’s certificate from a German school (if applicable).
• An academic certificate from a German university or a diploma from a German vocational training institution.
• German language proficiency test results (minimum level B1).

Special cases (re-naturalisation & other)

• Proof of previous German citizenship (e.g., identity documents).
• Proof of loss of citizenship (e.g., foreign naturalisation certificate).
• Evidence of close ties to Germany (e.g., family connections, property ownership, membership in cultural associations).

Note: All non-German documents must be translated into German. You will need a professional translator offering certified translation services in Germany to translate it into the German language. For example, if you have a Spanish birth certificate, you must translate it into German. You will submit both the original Spanish birth certificate and the German translation to the authorities. 

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Want to avoid rejection and delays with your German citizenship by naturalisation application process? Request a free quote to get accurate certified translations.
 

The naturalisation process: Step-by-step

To become naturalised in Germany, you need to fulfil certain requirements, provide certain documentation, and follow a few steps. Here are the steps to follow:

Step one: Confirm eligibility and requirements 

If you want to apply for German citizenship, you should confirm eligibility. This step often includes checking the legal requirements to see if you qualify. To make things easier, you can use the quick check tool to confirm if you can be naturalised in Germany. 

Step two: Write to the naturalisation authorities (Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde)

The next step to becoming naturalised is to write to the naturalisation authorities stating your situation. They will provide personalised advice and the application form, or point you to the authority responsible for your specific naturalisation process. If you aren't sure where your nationality authority is located, you can find information through 

• Your town/city or district administration (Stadtverwaltung or Kreisverwaltung) 
• The foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) 

If you are 16 years and older, you can write this letter and make this application yourself. If you are under 16, your parents must write and send the application on your behalf.

Step three: Prepare the required documentation

Alongside your application form, you will need to submit some necessary documentation. The exact documents are usually a combination of the identity, civil status, residency, income and language proficiency documents. 

Step four: Submit the application and pay fees

After you have filled out the application form, return it to the naturalisation authority you were advised to apply to, alongside the necessary documents. You will have to pay the naturalisation fee of €255 for adults and €51.00 per child. But if one child is to be naturalised alone, the fee is €255.00.  

Step five: Wait for processing

Once you have submitted your application and the necessary documents, it will be processed. If your application is successful, you will be notified by the naturalisation authorities, who will then inform you of the next steps to take.  

Step six: Receive your assurance of naturalisation

After you have received your confirmation, you will be given an assurance of naturalisation (Einbürgerungszusicherung). This is an official confirmation that you will be granted German citizenship, provided you meet any remaining conditions. 

Step seven: Attend the naturalisation ceremony

You will be invited to a naturalisation ceremony where you will pledge your allegiance to receive your naturalisation certificate, which confirms your German citizenship. 
 

Step eight: Apply for a German ID card and Passport 

Now that you have your naturalisation certificate, you can have a German identity card and a German Passport like every other citizen. These can be applied for at the Einwohnermeldeamt (your local Residents' Registration Office). They are important because they are used to prove your identity in Germany, so you should get at least one of them as soon as you can. 
 

German naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest)

The point of the naturalisation test in Germany is to determine if you understand the German legal system, society and living conditions. This naturalisation test in Germany comprises 33 questions, with 30 focusing on aspects of living in a Democracy, including history, responsibility, and Society, and 3 questions about the state itself. The questions come in an objective format, and you have four options to choose from for each question.  You need to get 17 questions out of the 33 correctly to pass.  Participation in the naturalisation test costs €25. Please remember to bring a valid photo ID on the day of the exam.

There’s an exemption if you:

• are under the age of 16.
• are physically, mentally or psychologically ill.
• are disabled.
• have graduated from a German school or a German higher institution in law or social, political or administrative sciences.

You can practise for the naturalisation test in Germany by taking mock tests on the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees website. The practice test is free and has 310 questions, consisting of general questions and questions concerning your state or federal land. You will see which answers you got wrong or correct after you finish the mock test. Do some research on what you got wrong to help you prepare for the real test.  

To register for the naturalisation test in Germany, speak to your local naturalisation authorities. They will tell you where you can find the nearest test centre where you can register and take the test. 

Avoid rejection and delays when applying for German citizenship. Request a free quote to get accurate certified translations.