How do I get German citizenship?

▷ See all step-by-step guides.

Find out in 9 steps how to get German citizenship. A quick overview:

  • Check if you meet the requirements and if your income is sufficient.
  • Take the B1 German language test and the naturalization test (Einbürgerungstest).
  • Collect all necessary documents. Submit the application when you are sure everything is complete.
Click on headlines to open steps
  • For more information, click on the small numbers.1Example
1. Inform yourself about the naturalization process

  • Find out about the requirements for naturalization. These are the same across Germany. In most cases, you must fulfill the following:
    • You have been living legally in Germany for more than 5 years (see step 2).
    • You have a sufficiently high income (see step 2).
    • You have passed the B1 German language test and the naturalization test (see step 4).
  • Inform yourself about the process (varies by location):
    • In some cities or municipalities, you can submit your application online or by post. You will receive a personal appointment once your application is reviewed.
    • In other places, you submit the application in an appointment on site. Appointments are often difficult to get. Sometimes it is good to first book an appointment.2In many cities or districts, appointments can be booked online. If this is not possible, ask by phone or email how you can get an appointment. If you do not get an appointment after several tries, you can submit the application in writing. Bring all the necessary documents with you to the appointment.
  • Naturalization costs 255 Euros.
2. Check your residence and your income

  • Calculate the years of your residence.3The years you have lived legally in Germany count. If you received a positive asylum decision (entitlement to asylum, refugee status, or subsidiary protection), the time of the asylum process counts as well. If you received a negative asylum decision, the years of the asylum process and Duldung (tolerated stay permit) do not count. If a few months are missing, you can already start preparing.
    • You must have lived legally in Germany for 5 years.
    • With C1-level German, you only need 3 years.4C1-level German can be achieved through an exam, high school diploma (Abitur), or a university degree. Additionally, you need special integration achievements, such as volunteering, outstanding academic or professional qualifications, or work performance. You need documents from an organization or certificates from your school, vocational training (Ausbildung), or work.
    • There are more exceptions for the residence requirement.5If your spouse has had the German citizenship for at least two years you do not have to wait 5 years. If you apply together with your spouse or partner (and children) and this person has been living legally in Germany for 5 years, you can have lived in Germany for a shorter time.
    • Calculate if your income is sufficient.6Rough estimate: The sum of your net income and child benefits should be greater than: €1,500 (1 person), €2,200 (2 people), €2,600 (3 people), €3,000 (4 people), €3,400 (5 people).
    • Your income must be high enough so that you do not receive money from the Jobcenter (Bürgergeld) or social assistance (Sozialhilfe).7If you have been working full-time (about 40 hours per week) for 2 years, you can apply even if your income is lower (and possibly your family). An exception also applies to guest workers who came to West Germany before 1974 and contract workers who came to East Germany before 1990.

    • Enter your income8Possible income sources are work, pensions, self-employment, unemployment benefits (only ALG1), child benefits, supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), child-raising allowance (Erziehungsgeld), parental allowance (Elterngeld), BAföG (student allowance), and BAB (vocational training allowance)., rent, heating costs, and the number of children into an online citizen’s allowance calculator.9If you live with a partner, you must also enter their income. If your expected citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld) is €0, your income is probably sufficient.

    • If you do not meet certain requirements for naturalization (especially income), you may be able to apply for a discretionary decision (Ermessensentscheidung).10In this case, you have no right to naturalization but the authorities will decide. You have the chance of a discretionary decision if you are a single parent or have children with special care needs or if you are unable to work due to a disability or illness.
  • Additionally: You must have a valid residence permit,11Exceptions apply to the following residence permits from which you cannot directly obtain naturalization: §§ 16a/b/d/e/f, 17, 18f, 19, 19b/e, 20, 22, 23a, 24, 25 para. 3-5, and 104c. you must not have been convicted of a crime, and your identity must be verified. Since 2024, you do not have to give up your previous citizenship.
3. Check if a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) would be a better option

  • The requirements for naturalization (Einbürgerung) and Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) are similar. However, in the following cases, the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) may be easier to get:
    • You are a recognized refugees or asylum seekers.12
      Permanent residence permit after 5 years with A2 German and meeting 50% of the income requirement.
    • You were younger than 18 years old when you arrived in Germany.13The time during the asylum process counts as legal residence for the permanent residence permit.
    • You are a skilled worker and got your degree in Germany14Permanent residence permit after 2 years of employment as a skilled worker., or have a Blue Card15Settlement permit after 33 months with A1 German proficiency..
    • You are unable to work due to illness or disability.16You do not need to meet the income criterion to apply for a permanent residence permit.
4. Take the B1 exam and the naturalization test

  • You usually need to get a B1 German certificate (oral and written) and pass the naturalization test17The naturalization test and the integration test “Leben in Deutschland” are the same. You can take the test at the end of the integration course or indepedently. If got have your high school degree, vocational training, or university degree in Germany, you do not need these tests.18If you attended a school in Germany for 4 years, you also do not need the naturalization test. For naturalization after 3 years, you must provide C1 level proof: with a certificate, Abitur (high school diploma), or a university degree.
  • You can obtain the B1 certificate through the integration course or at a language school. You can also take the exam without the course.19This is possible, for example, at the Goethe-Institut or TELC. If you are taking only the exam, it is very important to prepare well. You can take the naturalization test with the integration course. Other organizations also offer the test independetly.20Here, you can try the test and see examples of questions.
  • Sign up for the tests early on. Appointments are often hard to get.
5. Collect all documents

  • Check the website of your city or municipality to find out which documents you need and collect them all. You usually need:
    • Application form from your city or municipality21If there is an (online) application form available. Applications can also be submitted without a form. In that case, write how long you have lived in Germany and for how long you have had your residence permit.
    • Certificates of the B1 exam and the naturalization test.
    • Copy of your employment contract, letter from your company confirming that you are currently employed22Possible example: “Hiermit wird bestätigt, dass (dein Name, Adresse) seit (Startdatum) bei uns in einem ungekündigten Arbeitsverhältnis beschäftigt ist. Das Arbeitsverhältnis ist (unbefristet / bis zum xxx befristet). Datum, Unterschrift, Firmenstempel” (“This is to confirm that (your name, address) has been employed with us since (start date) in an employment relationship that has not been terminated. The employment relationship is (permanent / limited until xxx). Date, signature, company stamp”). This certificate must not be older than 14 days. and proof of income for the last 3 months or income tax assessment.23If you are self-employed, you need different documents. Check with your city or district.
    • Copy of the rental agreement, proof of current rent, and a copy of the heating costs bill.
    • Copy of your passport, residence permit, and registration certificate, biometric photos.
    • Membership card or statement from your health insurance.
    • Proof of transfer of the fee of €255.24Sometimes your application is processed faster if you pay the fee before submitting your application.
    • Tip: Attach a screenshot of your result of the online Bürgergeld calculator.25If you live with a partner, you must also enter their income. Include your gross and net income, rent, and heating costs. This helps the office see quickly that your income is sufficient.
6. Check carefully if everything is complete

  • Make sure that all documents are included and complete. Ask someone for help or contact a counseling center to check the documents.26If you are missing a document (e.g., the B1 certificate), you can ask the responsible office if you can still submit the application. In that case, attach a document explaining what you will send later (e.g., a booking confirmation for the B1 exam).
  • This is very important: Applications with missing documents are often processed very late. You might not receive information that something is missing.
7. Submit your application or bring it to the office

  • Submit the application when you have double-checked that everything is complete. In some cities or districts, you can submit the application online. If not, send the application by post27You can always submit your application by post. Yet, if there is the option for an online application, it might be the faster way. (registered mail28Registered mail is like a letter, but you get proof that it was delivered. It costs €3.10. You need to send it from a Deutsche Post office.).
  • If you submit your application at a personal appointment, bring all documents with you to the office.
8. Now you have to wait

  • Some cities and municipalities currently take very long to process applications.
  • After 3 months, you can send a letter to the responsible office asking about the status of your application. If you do not receive a response after 6 months, you can discuss with a lawyer whether to file a lawsuit for inaction (Klage wegen Untätigkeit). You will have to pay for this.
9. Receive your certificate

  • If your application is accepted, you will receive an appointment to collect your naturalization certificate. Some cities also host a naturalization ceremony. Participation is optional. With the certificate, you can apply for a German ID card and passport.

This page was realized with the support of the Postcode Lottery. (Last updated August 2024)
▷ View all step-by-step guides.
▷ Get in touch with us.

Fußnoten
  • 1
    Example
  • 2
    In many cities or districts, appointments can be booked online. If this is not possible, ask by phone or email how you can get an appointment. If you do not get an appointment after several tries, you can submit the application in writing.
  • 3
    The years you have lived legally in Germany count. If you received a positive asylum decision (entitlement to asylum, refugee status, or subsidiary protection), the time of the asylum process counts as well. If you received a negative asylum decision, the years of the asylum process and Duldung (tolerated stay permit) do not count. If a few months are missing, you can already start preparing.
  • 4
    C1-level German can be achieved through an exam, high school diploma (Abitur), or a university degree. Additionally, you need special integration achievements, such as volunteering, outstanding academic or professional qualifications, or work performance. You need documents from an organization or certificates from your school, vocational training (Ausbildung), or work.
  • 5
    If your spouse has had the German citizenship for at least two years you do not have to wait 5 years. If you apply together with your spouse or partner (and children) and this person has been living legally in Germany for 5 years, you can have lived in Germany for a shorter time.
  • 6
    Rough estimate: The sum of your net income and child benefits should be greater than: €1,500 (1 person), €2,200 (2 people), €2,600 (3 people), €3,000 (4 people), €3,400 (5 people).
  • 7
    If you have been working full-time (about 40 hours per week) for 2 years, you can apply even if your income is lower (and possibly your family). An exception also applies to guest workers who came to West Germany before 1974 and contract workers who came to East Germany before 1990.
  • 8
    Possible income sources are work, pensions, self-employment, unemployment benefits (only ALG1), child benefits, supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag), child-raising allowance (Erziehungsgeld), parental allowance (Elterngeld), BAföG (student allowance), and BAB (vocational training allowance).
  • 9
    If you live with a partner, you must also enter their income.
  • 10
    In this case, you have no right to naturalization but the authorities will decide. You have the chance of a discretionary decision if you are a single parent or have children with special care needs or if you are unable to work due to a disability or illness.
  • 11
    Exceptions apply to the following residence permits from which you cannot directly obtain naturalization: §§ 16a/b/d/e/f, 17, 18f, 19, 19b/e, 20, 22, 23a, 24, 25 para. 3-5, and 104c.
  • 12
    Permanent residence permit after 5 years with A2 German and meeting 50% of the income requirement.
  • 13
    The time during the asylum process counts as legal residence for the permanent residence permit.
  • 14
    Permanent residence permit after 2 years of employment as a skilled worker.
  • 15
    Settlement permit after 33 months with A1 German proficiency.
  • 16
    You do not need to meet the income criterion to apply for a permanent residence permit.
  • 17
    The naturalization test and the integration test “Leben in Deutschland” are the same. You can take the test at the end of the integration course or indepedently
  • 18
    If you attended a school in Germany for 4 years, you also do not need the naturalization test. For naturalization after 3 years, you must provide C1 level proof: with a certificate, Abitur (high school diploma), or a university degree.
  • 19
    This is possible, for example, at the Goethe-Institut or TELC. If you are taking only the exam, it is very important to prepare well.
  • 20
    Here, you can try the test and see examples of questions.
  • 21
    If there is an (online) application form available. Applications can also be submitted without a form. In that case, write how long you have lived in Germany and for how long you have had your residence permit.
  • 22
    Possible example: “Hiermit wird bestätigt, dass (dein Name, Adresse) seit (Startdatum) bei uns in einem ungekündigten Arbeitsverhältnis beschäftigt ist. Das Arbeitsverhältnis ist (unbefristet / bis zum xxx befristet). Datum, Unterschrift, Firmenstempel” (“This is to confirm that (your name, address) has been employed with us since (start date) in an employment relationship that has not been terminated. The employment relationship is (permanent / limited until xxx). Date, signature, company stamp”). This certificate must not be older than 14 days.
  • 23
    If you are self-employed, you need different documents. Check with your city or district.
  • 24
    Sometimes your application is processed faster if you pay the fee before submitting your application.
  • 25
    If you live with a partner, you must also enter their income. Include your gross and net income, rent, and heating costs. This helps the office see quickly that your income is sufficient.
  • 26
    If you are missing a document (e.g., the B1 certificate), you can ask the responsible office if you can still submit the application. In that case, attach a document explaining what you will send later (e.g., a booking confirmation for the B1 exam).
  • 27
    You can always submit your application by post. Yet, if there is the option for an online application, it might be the faster way.
  • 28
    Registered mail is like a letter, but you get proof that it was delivered. It costs €3.10. You need to send it from a Deutsche Post office.