German Citizenship by Naturalization Process [2025 English Guide]

Key Takeaways

• You are eligible for German citizenship via naturalization after five years. If you can prove outstanding integration into German society, you can get citizenship in three years.
• After applying for German naturalization, it can take an average of 18 months to get a decision on your application. 
• You can sue the immigration authorities if you don’t hear from them in six months.
• The cost of applying for German citizenship is 255€ for adults and 51€ for minors who apply with their parents.

This is how you do it

• Check the nationality authority’s website (Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde) or visit them personally to understand German citizenship requirements and procedures.
• Prepare for the German naturalization test. Book the test date in advance, as you may not find a slot immediately. 
• Take the German language test (you need at least a B1 level certificate).
• Prepare your documents and ensure they are complete, accurate, and up to date. 
• Submit your application and provide supporting documents if requested.
• Once approved, collect your naturalization certificate.

Table of Contents

Applying for German Citizenship

Living in Germany alone provides many benefits, but being a German citizen comes with even more privileges, including voting, employment (e.g., civil servant, member of parliament, etc.), and travel rights. Here’s a clear and concise guide to walk you through the German naturalization process.

What are the possible pathways to get German citizenship?

You can get German citizenship via one of the six ways.

1. Naturalization
2. Descent
3. Adoption
4. Birth
5. Marriage
6. Citizenship by declaration

In this guide, we focus on German citizenship through naturalization.

Get German citizenship via naturalization 

Naturalization is the legal process by which German citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by the German government. 

Get German citizenship via descent

German citizenship via descent is passed down from a German parent. You may also acquire citizenship through your grandparents and great-grandparents born in Germany, depending on certain conditions (e.g., born in wedlock, citizenship revocation under Nazi rule).

Get German citizenship via adoption

German citizenship is automatically granted to children under 18 years of age who were legally adopted by at least one German citizen on or after January 1 1977. 

However, specific conditions for naturalization must be fulfilled for adoptions that took place outside Germany.

Get German citizenship via birth

German citizenship is automatically acquired by children of at least one German citizen. Children who are born in Germany to foreign parents may also receive German citizenship if they meet these conditions:

• They are born after January 1, 2000
• At least one parent has been a legal German resident for a minimum of 8 years. This period is reduced to five years for children born after 26 June 2024.
• At least one parent holds a permanent right of residence or a residence permit under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the European Union

Get German citizenship by marriage

Spouses or registered civil partners of Germans may acquire German citizenship if they meet these conditions:

• Lawful residence in Germany for at least three years.
• Marriage or registered civil partnership for at least two years.

However, naturalization by marriage is not possible if you fall under circumstances such as the following:

• Marriage or civil partnership has already ended or failed during the naturalization process.
• The partners are planning for a divorce or separation. They are living separately.

Get German citizenship by declaration

Before 2021, the German Nationality Act didn’t allow certain individuals to acquire German citizenship by descent. However, the German government amended the Nationality Act in 2021 to change this. 

According to the amendment, the affected individuals can now acquire German citizenship by declaration. The German government also gave them a ten-year window to apply. 

Who is eligible for German citizenship by declaration?

Children born after May 23, 1949, who meet any of the conditions below are eligible.

• Children of a German parent who did not acquire German citizenship by birth
  • E.g., born in wedlock to a German mother and non-German father before January 1, 1975.
  • Born out of wedlock to a German father and non-German mother before July 1, 1993.
• Children whose German mother lost their citizenship after marrying a foreigner before April 1, 1953.
• Children who lost their German citizenship obtained by birth due to legitimization by their non-German father before April 1, 1953.

Descendants of the eligible children will acquire German citizenship by descent.

What are the eligibility criteria for German citizenship via naturalization?

You must possess the following:

• Lawful residence in Germany for at least five years. You can also get German citizenship after three years if you prove outstanding integration into German society and culture.
• Your identity and current citizenship proof.
• Permanent residence permit or a long-term residence permit.
• Financial stability: You can financially support yourself and your dependents.
• No criminal record 
• Proof of German language proficiency (at least B1 level)
• Proof of knowledge of German culture, laws, and civic life
• Commitment to the Basic Law (Grundgesetz)
• Declaration of Loyalty (Loyalitätserklärung)
• You declare commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility for the tyrannical National Socialist regime and its consequences.

There should be no other reasons that might make you ineligible for German naturalization (Ausschlussgründe).

What can make you ineligible for German citizenship?

Certain reasons may prevent you from obtaining German citizenship (Ausschlussgründe). These include:

• Violating the constitution or participating in actions against the free and democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Holding anti-constitutional beliefs in the past. You must declare to the “Office for the Protection of the Constitution” and the “nationality authority” that you no longer hold these beliefs.
• Disrespecting the equal rights of all genders as stated in the Basic Law.
• The practice of polygamy or being married to someone who is polygamous.

Documents required to apply for German citizenship

Declaration of Loyalty (Loyalitätserklärung)

• Download the Declaration of Loyalty (Loyalitätserklärung).
• You must sign this document and submit it when applying for German citizenship.

How do you apply for German naturalization?

Residents who are 16 years of age and older can acquire German citizenship on their own. Younger individuals are required to have legal representatives, such as their parents.

Here is the process.

1. Go to your nationality authority (Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde)

Consult authorities about the naturalization process and requirements. In some cases, the authority may allow certain exemptions or require further documentation to obtain German citizenship.

You can search for your nationality/immigration authority online. Most authorities offer application forms on their websites, but you may have to email some for the form.

2. Take the German naturalization test (Einbürgerungstest)

Apply for the German naturalization test at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). It also offers details on test centers and review resources. 

What does the naturalization test look like?

• The German citizenship test comprises 33 multiple-choice questions
  • 30 about Germany (e.g. democracy, history, civic life)
  • 3 about your federal state (Bundesland)
• Exam type: Multiple choice
• Time limit: 60 minutes
• Passing score: Minimum of 17 correct answers
• Exam fee: 25€

How do you prepare for the German citizenship test?

• You can find all the citizenship test questions here. We have translated all the questions into English and added explanations to make learning fun and easy.
• You can also join our free course to ace the German citizenship test in 15 days.
• Prepare a valid ID for the exam day

Who is exempt from taking the naturalization test? 

• German university degree holders
• German school-leaving certificate holders
• Integration course graduates who passed the “Life in Germany” exam
• Guest workers (on or before June 30, 1974) or contract workers (on or before June 13, 1990) – Read more about it here
• Individuals medically certified as unfit to take the exam due to disability, old age, or other valid reasons

3. Take the German language test

You must show at least a B1 certificate to prove sufficient German knowledge. The immigration office accepts the B1 certificate from Goethe Institute and Telc.

We find the Telc test easier than Goethe’s. Here is what the Telc B1 certificate test looks like.

Each section is evaluated individually. This means if you fail one section, you only have to retake the failed section.

For example, you passed the Listening, Writing, and Speaking sections but failed the Reading section. In this case, you only have to retake the Reading section.

The B1 test fees vary based on the test center. However, it ranges between 169€ and 255€.

4. Submit your documents to the nationality authority (Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde)

You can submit the documents online on the immigration office’s website, via email, or by post. Your local nationality authority will inform you on how to submit your documents.

5. Pay the German naturalization application fees

Here is an overview of the fees that you may encounter:

Application fees

You can ask the nationality authority if it would be possible to lower the costs or to pay in installments if you cannot pay the costs for German naturalization.

Document-related fees

6. Wait for the decision on your German naturalization application

The time to process your German citizenship application varies from case to case and the authority processing your application. It usually takes 18 months or more.

Authorities may request additional documentation to support your application. 

Suppose you have submitted all the required documents but haven’t heard from the federal foreign office in six months. You can file a “failure to act lawsuit (Untätigkeitsklage)” against the foreign/immigration office.

Filing a lawsuit can accelerate your German citizenship application process. You can book the services of an immigration lawyer we recommend here.

If your application is rejected, contact the immigration authorities to find out why. If some documents are missing, you can submit them.

You can object to rejection if you think the decision is unfair. We recommend consulting an immigration lawyer before filing an objection.

Consult an Immigration Lawyer

• An immigration lawyer can help you accelerate your German citizenship application.
• The lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
• You can clarify your doubts regarding German citizenship.

Consult a Lawyer

7. Receive your naturalization certificate

Once your naturalization application is approved, you’ll receive an invitation to collect the “Naturalization Certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde).”

Once you have this certificate, you are officially a German citizen. You can now apply for a German passport and identity card and enjoy the privileges of being a German citizen.

FAQs

Can my family acquire German citizenship with me?

Yes, your spouse or registered civil partner and your underage children may apply for naturalization with you. They should meet the requirements for German naturalization discussed above, excluding the condition of the residence period.

Generally, children can acquire German citizenship with their parents if they meet these conditions:

• Under 16 years of age
• Lawful German residence for at least three years
• Their parents have custody of them
• They live together with their parents

Can I speed up my German citizenship process?

Yes, it’s possible to acquire German citizenship in just three years if you are well-integrated into German society. You must meet the following conditions:

• You have had lawful German residence for at least three years
• You demonstrate exceptional integration efforts (e.g., in training, school, work, civic engagement)
• You can financially support yourself and your dependents
• You can prove C1 level German language proficiency

As mentioned above, you can hire an immigration lawyer to file a lawsuit and accelerate your German citizenship application process.

Can my German citizenship be revoked?

The Basic Law protects German citizenship, but it may also be taken away even if it leaves an individual stateless:

• Renunciation of German citizenship
• Involvement in terrorism under foreign citizenship
• Acquisition of German citizenship through misrepresentation, threats, or bribery

Does Germany allow dual citizenship?

Yes, German law allows dual citizenship. This means you can keep your previous citizenship after getting German citizenship.

However, be aware that your original country may have legal regulations that revoke your citizenship rights under them after becoming a naturalized German.

What is discretionary naturalization in Germany?

In exceptional cases, German immigration authorities may grant naturalization to foreign nationals who meet specific criteria, even if they live abroad.

The decision is at the discretion of the immigration authorities. This is called discretionary naturalization.

Discretionary naturalization can only be granted if a particular public interest can be shown. This can be being a national athlete or cultural icon.