Would you like to apply for German citizenship? Here you can find important information and tips. This page gives you an initial overview of the most common questions.
How Do I Apply for Naturalization?
Your first step: Check whether you are eligible for naturalization. To do this, you should use the Quick-Check zur Einbürgerung (Quick-Check for Naturalization). The Quick-Check is free of charge and provides initial guidance. It does not replace the official review of your application .
Your second step: If you believe that you meet all the requirements, you can submit an Online-Antrag auf Einbürgerung (Online Application for Naturalization). Gather your documents for this process. Make digital copies of your documents (preferably in PDF format) so that you can upload them with the online application . Completing the online application takes time, for example around 2 hours.
If you click on "Jetzt online erledigen" ("Do It Online") at the bottom of this page, you will find the Quick-Check and the online application :
What Does Naturalization Cost Me?
The application costs 255.00 euros. You must pay by credit card or PayPal when submitting the application .
Which German Language Skills Do I Need for Naturalization?
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I Speak Little or No German.
Then attend a German course. You can find out how this works and where you can take a German course in Berlin here:
There are also exceptions to the language requirement. If you cannot learn German because of an illness or disability and a Facharzt (specialist) confirms this, the authority may not require proof of language skills from you.
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I Speak German but Do Not Have a Certificate.
Then you can take an exam. This is possible at Volkshochschulenin Berlin, the Goethe-Institut, or another certified examination center. There, you register and pay the fee. If you pass the exam, you will receive your certificate . You can find more information here:
There are also exceptions to the language requirement. If you cannot learn German because of an illness or disability and a Facharzt (specialist) confirms this, the authority may not require proof of language skills from you.
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I Go to School in Germany or Went to School in Germany.
Then you can prove your German language skills with your school certificates . For example, this is possible with a certificate from grade 9 or higher. In the certificate , you must have at least Note 4 („ausreichend“) (grade 4 ("sufficient")) in German. Or you can use a school graduation certificate (BBR or higher). You can find more information under the Documents tab.
If you came to Germany as a "guest worker" before 1974 or as a contract worker before 1990, it is enough if you can communicate in everyday German.
There is also an exception in cases of hardship if you have not reached B1 despite making great efforts. You must have attended many B1 courses and exams. High requirements apply to this exception.
From the age of 70, the naturalization authority does not require proof of language skills.
You need "sufficient German language skills". This means language skills at level B1 or higher. You must provide proof of this.
Do I Have to Take the Naturalization Test?
Normally, you must take a special test for naturalization. The test shows that you have knowledge about the law, society, and life in Germany. Not everyone has to take this test — there are exceptions.
How High Must My Income Be?
You must prove that your livelihood is secured. This means that you have enough money to live on. The exact amount must be calculated individually for you. It depends, for example, on whether you live alone or with your family and how much rent you pay.
If you are unsure whether your income is sufficient, use the Quick-Check Lebensunterhaltsberechnung (Quick-Check for Livelihood Calculation). If you click on "Jetzt online erledigen" ("Do It Online") at the bottom of this page, you will find the Quick-Check:
Quick-Check Lebensunterhaltsberechnung
Take the test and find out whether you meet the requirements or ask at a counseling center.
For naturalization, you are normally not allowed to receive payments from the Jobcenter or Sozialamt (Social Welfare Office) and must not have a right to receive these payments.
Which Residence Permit Do I Need for Naturalization?
You can apply for naturalization with a permanent residence permit (for example: a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit)). In many cases, you can also apply for naturalization with a temporary residence permit . However, this is only possible with certain residence permits , for example an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) based on marriage or an EU Blue Card as a skilled worker.
EU citizens who have das Recht auf Freizügigkeit (the right to freedom of movement) can apply for naturalization. This also applies to their family members and closely connected persons.
If you are unsure whether your residence permit is suitable or whether you have the right to freedom of movement, seek advice at a counseling center.
Which Periods Count Toward the Length of Residence?
For naturalization, the time spent with lawful residence counts. This means the time during which you had a residence permit .
Periods with a Duldung (temporary suspension of deportation) do not count. Periods with an Aufenthaltsgestattung (temporary permission to stay during the asylum procedure ) only count if you later received a protection status.
When changing from one residence permit to another, your previous period of residence continues to count. It is important that there is no interruption in your lawful residence. A Fiktionsbescheinigung (A Certificate of Fictional Right of Residence) does not count as an interruption. The time between two residence permits is not lost if you applied in time to extend your Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) or to receive a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit).
In total, you need five years of lawful residence in Germany. Sometimes there are exceptions and you may be able to apply for naturalization earlier. For example, if you are married to a German citizen. In that case, it is best to ask at a counseling center which rules apply to you.
When Should I Seek Counseling?
- If you are still unsure whether you meet the requirements despite using the Quick-Check
- If you want to know whether exceptions apply to your situation
- If you have questions about your income
- If you are unsure whether your residence permit is suitable
- If you do not know whether your previous length of residence is sufficient
What Can I Do If I Have Been Waiting a Long Time for a Response to My Application?
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Did You Submit Your Application in 2023 or Earlier and Still Have Not Received a Response?
Since 2024, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) has been responsible for naturalization. The procedures are now digital.
Previously, applications were submitted on paper at the district offices. At the beginning, the LEA took over more than 40,000 ongoing applications from the districts. Processing these applications may take longer.
Unfortunately, we cannot say when a decision will be made on your application .
Tip: Sometimes it is faster to submit your application online again and send updated documents. But be careful: you must pay the fee of 255.00 euros again. You should only submit a new application if you still meet all the requirements for naturalization at that time. For this, use the Quick-Check zur Einbürgerung (Quick-Check for Naturalization). You can find it under Serviceportal | Einbürgerung. If you click on "Do It Online" at the bottom right, you will find the Quick-Check.
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Did You Submit Your Application Digitally in 2024 or Later?
Even if you submitted your application online, you still need to wait. Processing can take one year or longer. Sometimes, however, it may only take a few months.
How long it takes depends, for example, on whether your documents are complete and up to date. No worries: the LEA will contact you if anything is missing. Please be patient until then.
What matters is when you submitted your application for naturalization:
"Dual Citizenship": Can I Have Two Citizenships?
Many people speak of "dual citizenship". This means having German citizenship and another citizenship at the same time.
If you are naturalized, you will receive German citizenship. Whether you keep or lose your current citizenship depends on the law of your country of origin. Germany cannot influence this.
Therefore, you should contact your country’s embassy early to find out more.
More Information on This Topic
Here you can find more questions and answers about naturalization and the requirements.
The page is available in multiple languages.
Locations in this map
Willkommenszentrum Berlin
Show on mapThe Counselling Centre for Migrants, which has existed since 1981, and the Welcome Centre Berlin, which was founded in 2016, were merged in April 2021.
People with a history of migration and their relatives continue to receive competent advice on all questions of migration as well as arrival and advancement from a single source. The grown team of the Welcome Center and the cooperation partners, including the networks Integration through Qualification (IQ) and bridge, inform, advise and support individually and multilingually.
The following concerns are covered by the Welcome Centre - Counselling Centre of the Integration Officers:
- Legal advice in migration law
- Hardship counselling
- social counselling
- Advice on the recognition of professional qualifications from abroad
- Advice on training and further education, German courses and job search - Advice on setting up a business
- Advice on labour law
Language overview: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentru…
Consulting hours of the partners: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentru…
Potsdamer Str. 61
10785 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Our consulting takes place on site, by telephone and digitally.
Opening hours:
Mon 9:00-13:00
Tue 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Wed 9:00-13:00
Thu 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Consultation by e-mail and arrangement of consultation appointments: beratung@intmig.berlin.de
Appointments for consultation by phone:
Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00-12:00 at (030) 9017-23172.
Personal consultation in Ukrainian and Russian
Monday 09 - 13 h
Tuesday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
Thursday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
Al Muntada & Al Muntada Plus
Show on mapAl Muntada supports migrants of Arab descent living in Berlin. Many of them come from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The counselling is aimed at people of all ages and takes place in Neukölln.
At Al Muntada Plus, a lawyer offers legal advice. He provides support and information on asylum procedures and questions about migration law.
Morusstraße 18 A
12053 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] The open office hours are held on Thursdays from 14.00 - 16.00. Outside these hours by appointment. Please feel free to contact us by phone (030/68247719 and 01590/4072228) or e-mail and briefly describe your concerns.
Berlin wird mein Zuhause
Show on mapNehringstraße 8
14059 Berlin
Germany
Einbürgerungslots*innen
Show on mapWaldenserstraße 2-4
10551 Berlin
Germany
Migrationsrechts- und Flüchtlingsberatung
Show on mapWe offer:
- Advice on issues relating to residence law and related areas of law, such as citizenship law
- Cooperation with other projects, such as the Integrationslots:innen, the Stadtteilmütter project, the migration advice service for adults (Migrationsberatung) and the social advice service at tam (Sozialberatung) Referral to other specialist advice centres if required
Please make an appointment for a consultation in advance by e-mail or telephone.
Counseling is available in German, English and Chinese. Mediation for other languages is possible by prior arrangement.
Wilhelmstraße 115
10963 Berlin
Germany
Please make an appointment for a consultation in advance by e-mail or telephone.
Migrationsrechtsberatung für Migrant*innen und Geflüchtete
Show on mapKarl-Marx-Straße 172
12043 Berlin
Germany
