Conditions for naturalisation
If you are not German by birth, you can obtain German citizenship by naturalisation provided you meet the conditions for naturalisation in Germany:
- You have lived lawfully in Germany for the past eight years.
- You have an unlimited right of residence in Germany (for example as an EU citizen entitled to free movement, or on the basis of a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) or a certified residence permit that can lead to permanent residence. A residence permit for study purposes is not, however, sufficient.
- You are able to earn money and your dependants can get by without social assistance and unemployment support. Protect yourself: this requirement is met in particular if, at the time of naturalisation, you are in reasonably paid employment.
- You have adequate German language skills: for naturalisation you do not need to master German perfectly. It is sufficient if you can prove your oral and written German skills through a language test – essentially at level B1 (Common European Framework of Reference). A German school leaving certificate, a completed vocational training qualification in Germany or a degree in Germany as a rule also prove your German language skills.
- You have passed a naturalisation test. With the successful naturalisation test you prove your knowledge of the German legal and social order. Do you have a German school leaving certificate or have you completed a degree in law, social science or political theory in Germany? All in all you normally do not need to take a naturalisation test: for this situation your school leaving certificate or your higher education degree from Germany is sufficient. Online you can gain an overview of the conditions for naturalisation.
- You have not been convicted of a criminal offence: if you have been convicted of a criminal offence or if investigations are being conducted against you in Germany or abroad for a criminal offence, you should inform the Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation authority). The naturalisation authority can only decide on your application once the investigations have been concluded.
- You claim to be German within the meaning of the Basic Law: the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. If you apply for German citizenship, you should acknowledge in writing and orally that you respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and refrain from anything that could harm it. Your acknowledgement is recorded in the files of the naturalisation authority.
- You give up your previous citizenship: when you are naturalised you must give up your previous citizenship. There are, however, exceptions that depend on the country of origin. Residents of other EU states and Switzerland, for example, can retain their previous nationality while being naturalised in Germany. Exceptions also apply to certain states such as Morocco or Algeria. For residents of these states renunciation of citizenship is regarded as unreasonable.
Because naturalisation involves numerous special features and every case is individual, you should consider arranging a meeting with the management of the naturalisation authority before applying for naturalisation.
Minor children and spouses of employees entitled to naturalisation can, for example, also be naturalised at the authority’s discretion even if they have not been in Germany for eight years.
Which authority is responsible for your naturalisation can be found out from the city or district administration, the Landratsamt (district office) or the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) of your place of residence.
Rules for children
Principle of descent and place of birth: In German nationality law the principle of descent applies in principle. That means that a child who has at least one parent with German nationality naturally acquires German nationality at birth. In addition the place-of-birth principle applies. Accordingly a child of foreign parents can acquire German nationality by birth in Germany if one parent has lived lawfully in Germany for eight years at the time of birth and holds a permanent residence permit.
Dual citizenship: Children of foreign parents who are born in Germany can acquire German nationality regardless of their parents’ nationality. The condition is that they have spent their childhood in Germany. Under the law anyone who has grown up in Germany up to the age of 21 can obtain dual citizenship if they have:
- lived in Germany for eight years or
- attended a school in Germany for six years or
- hold a school leaving certificate acquired in Germany or a vocational training qualification completed in Germany.