How to Obtain German Citizenship

German citizenship remains highly sought after by migrants from around the world. According to Destatis, 200,100 foreigners were naturalized in Germany two years ago. On June 27, 2024, a new law came into effect, making it easier to acquire German citizenship. Now, under the naturalization procedure, a German passport can be obtained after just five years of legal residence in the country, rather than eight years as previously required. Furthermore, applicants no longer have to renounce their original citizenship when acquiring German nationality.

Foreign nationals who have resided in Germany legally, are familiar with the country’s legal and social order, and speak German at the B1 level are eligible to apply for a German passport. A key requirement is the ability to fully support oneself and one’s family members. Below, we will examine what other changes the updated law introduces for those seeking to obtain German citizenship.

Who Should Consider Obtaining a German Passport

The German passport is among the strongest in the world. It allows its holder to travel visa-free or under simplified visa conditions to more than 170 countries, including those within the Schengen Area.

Obtaining a German passport is particularly relevant for those planning to work in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), as it provides access to a full range of social guarantees. For students and young professionals, German citizenship opens doors to the European job market with competitive salaries. Entrepreneurs benefit from international trade and cooperation agreements, which facilitate entry into global markets. Refugees holding a German passport gain the right to move freely, work, and receive protection across all EU countries, as well as full social benefits and civil rights within Germany.

An internal German passport offers the following advantages:

• freedom of movement throughout the EU, including all Schengen states;
• the ability to conduct business profitably across the EU;
• access to the benefits of free trade agreements;
• legal protection of your rights as a citizen under national law;
• the right to request consular support and protection from German embassies abroad.

However, in addition to its advantages, German citizenship comes with certain drawbacks. The application process may be lengthy and involve specific challenges, including passing a language proficiency and citizenship test. Another disadvantage is the dependency on your registered address within Germany, as some official correspondence is sent by post. Moreover, German migration law does not include a direct citizenship-by-investment route, which may be seen as a limitation.

All the benefits of German citizenship are also accessible with the passport of any EU country. Under agreements between EU member states, citizens enjoy equal rights and opportunities across the Union.

How to Obtain German Citizenship

German citizenship can be obtained upon meeting certain requirements. First and foremost, this includes long-term residence in the country, at least five years, along with German language proficiency and the financial means to support oneself and one’s family. To be eligible to apply for a German passport, it is important to have no criminal convictions. If an applicant has engaged in behavior that violates gender equality, citizenship will be denied.

Passing a language test at the B1 level and a naturalization test is mandatory. During the exam, the applicant must answer 33 questions related to Germany’s social and legal system. A minimum of 17 correct answers is required to pass. The test requirement is waived for individuals under 16, or those unable to take it due to disability or illness.

There are several legal pathways through which one may obtain German citizenship, detailed below.

Citizenship by Birth

A child is entitled to German citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a German citizen. If the child is born on German territory to foreign parents, and one of them has been a permanent resident for at least five years or holds a residence permit, the child may also be granted German citizenship. This fact must be registered in the official birth registry.

Citizenship by Declaration

Children born after the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany came into force, that is, after May 23, 1949, may acquire citizenship by declaration if their father was a German citizen but did not inherit citizenship by birth or if their mother lost her citizenship due to marriage to a foreign national. Citizenship by declaration is also available to children who lost German nationality acquired at birth because they were legitimized by a foreign citizen.

Citizenship by Adoption

If a child under 18 is adopted by a German citizen under German law, they acquire German citizenship. This status is also passed on to the child’s descendants. If the adoption was performed under foreign law, German citizenship will only be granted if the child’s legal ties to their biological parents have been fully severed and the adoption meets German legal standards.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Germany for at least five years may apply for naturalization by personal request. If you have been married to, or in a registered civil partnership with, a German citizen for at least two years, and have lived in Germany for no less than three years, you are also eligible to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Minor children of such couples are entitled to German citizenship without the requirement of three years of residence. In the event of the German spouse’s death, the surviving partner retains the right to apply for a German passport, provided the application is submitted within one year of the spouse’s death.

Repatriation

German citizens and their descendants who were forcibly stripped of their citizenship between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, due to the actions of the Nazi regime, are now entitled to have their rights restored. Individuals who lost their German nationality during that time by acquiring citizenship in another country or through marriage to a foreign national are also eligible to reclaim their legal status as German citizens. This rule likewise applies to those who lost their permanent residence in Germany before January 30, 1933, as well as to their children and grandchildren.

Jewish individuals whose ancestors were expelled from Germany between 1933 and 1945 due to racial persecution are also eligible to apply for German citizenship. Descendants of such refugees may obtain a German passport after formally accepting democratic principles in a ceremonial setting. A declaration of loyalty to the state is also required. Minor descendants of German Jews may likewise receive German citizenship based on ancestry.

Before arriving in Germany, late repatriates (Spätaussiedler) must undergo a registration process with the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA) in their country of residence. The office reviews whether the applicant meets the legal grounds for repatriation. Upon confirmation, a citizenship acceptance certificate is issued, which serves as the basis for entry into German territory.

Procedure for Obtaining German Citizenship

To obtain German citizenship, you must go through a procedure that includes six specific steps, such as:

Required Documents

When applying for German citizenship, it is essential to strictly follow all requirements and conditions for status approval. First of all, you must submit the following set of documents to the immigration authority:

• application for naturalization;
• valid passport or personal identification card;
• proof of civil status, such as a marriage certificate, court ruling, or divorce certificate;
• evidence of financial standing — this may include an employment contract indicating salary for the past three months, bank statements, tax assessment documents, and for those not currently employed: pension or benefit statements, proof of funds or other assets;
• certificates of education or school diploma (for students);
• health insurance coverage;
• rental agreement or document confirming property ownership;
• certificate of German language proficiency or a school diploma issued by a local institution;
• certificate of completion of the naturalization test or test on life in Germany;
• certificate of residence registration (Meldebescheinigung);
• consent from the second parent for the naturalization of children under the age of 16;
• other supporting documents depending on your individual circumstances.

Timeline and Costs of Application

When submitting an application for a German passport, a state fee of €255 must be paid for each adult applicant and €51 for children under 16 who are naturalized together with their parents. The full citizenship process, from entry permission to issuance of the passport, takes approximately 3 years for spouses of German citizens and at least 5 years for all other applicants.

The standard fee for obtaining a passport is €70 for applicants over 24 years of age and €37.50 for those under 24. The passport is valid for 10 years and 6 years, respectively.

Dual Citizenship in Germany

Previously, German law required applicants to renounce their original citizenship in order to obtain a German passport. However, as of June 27, 2024, a new law has come into force allowing dual citizenship in Germany. According to the legislation, foreign nationals applying for a German passport are no longer required to give up their existing nationality. It is important, however, to review the laws of your home country to determine whether it allows you to retain your passport when acquiring citizenship in another state.

Moreover, the new German law permits you to reclaim the citizenship of another country that you had previously renounced in favor of German nationality — provided that your original country’s legal system allows such reinstatement.

Faster and More Flexible Immigration Options to Germany

Obtaining a German passport is a lengthy process that requires meeting strict legal requirements. To save time and relocate to Germany on lawful grounds, our company offers a faster and more practical alternative: immigration to Germany via EU citizenship. This approach is convenient and beneficial for those planning to start a new life in Europe. Once you have obtained an EU passport, you gain the right to live, work, and move freely within Germany, without the need for additional visas or permits.