Naturalisation in Germany , Date: 2025.06.30, format: Article, area: Integration

If you live permanently in Germany, you can become naturalised under certain circumstances.

For this purpose you must submit an application. From your 16th birthday, you can submit this application yourself. For children and adolescents under 16 years of age, parents must submit the application.

Application forms can be acquired from the competent naturalisation authorities. You can find out which authority is responsible for your naturalisation at:

• the immigration office of your city or municipality
• Youth Migration Services (JMD)
• Migration Counselling for Adult Immigrants (MBE)
• the city or district administration.

Costs

Naturalisation costs 255 euros per individual. The fee for minors who naturalise together with their parents is 51 euros. Minors who naturalise without their parents must pay 255 euros.

If you earn very little or if several children are naturalised (together with you), the fee can be reduced or payment can be agreed in instalments.

Prerequisites

You are entitled to naturalisation if the following conditions are met:

• You have been a habitual and regular resident in Germany for the past five years. If you have demonstrated a special aptitude towards integration – e.g. If you have displayed a particularly good academic or professional performance and possess very good German language skills – naturalisation is possible after just three years of residence in Germany.
• Clarified identity and nationality: You must provide information about your identity and nationality and be able to prove this, for example by presenting an official identity document (e.g. passport) or by presenting appropriate official documents
• You must be committed to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany
• You must acknowledge Germany’s special historical responsibility for the National Socialist rule of injustice and its consequences, and in particular for the protection of Jewish life, as well as for the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging wars of aggression
• You must have a permanent right of residence at the time of naturalisation, a residence permit under the Switzerland–EU agreement, an EU Blue Card or a temporary residence permit which, according to its purpose, can lead to permanent residence
• Financial self-sufficiency: You must be able to support yourself and your dependent family members without having to claim any citizen’s allowance or other social benefits under Social Code II or XII
• You must not have been found guilty of a criminal act
• You must have sufficient knowledge of German (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany – proof of this is usually provided by successfully completing the naturalisation test.

Further details can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (BMI): Naturalisation. There you also have the opportunity to check whether you meet the naturalisation requirements by undergoing a non-binding "quick check".

In specific cases, exceptions and simplifications of the naturalisation requirements are possible. You can obtain individual information and consultation from your competent naturalisation authority.

Regulation for children

All children born in Germany to foreign parents acquire German citizenship and can simultaneously retain the citizenship of their parents if at least one parent has lived legally in Germany for more than five years and has a permanent right of residence.

The naturalisation test

By successfully completing the natralisation test, you can demonstrate knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany required to become a German citizen.

You can register for the test at the test centres of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

What does the test look like?

On the occasion of the test, you will be given a test form containing 33 questions. You have 60 minutes to answer the questions. For each of the questions, you must choose the correct answer from four options. If you answer at least 17 questions correctly, you have passed the test. You will then receive a certificate of your individual test result from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

You can then use this certificate to prove your civic knowledge to the naturalisation authority. If you answer less than 17 questions correctly, you can repeat the test.

33 questions from different areas

30 questions deal with the topics of "living in a democracy", "history and responsibility", and "people and society". Three questions are asked about the Federal State in which you are registered as your primary residence. The complete catalogue of questions for both the "Life in Germany" test and the naturalisation test provides an overview of all the topics important for the test. You can find the complete question catalogue in the online test centre for the "Life in Germany" test and the naturalisation test.

Who has to take the naturalisation test?

If you apply for German citizenship, you need to prove your knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany by taking the test.

Exceptions:

• You have obtained a German school leaving certificate.
• You cannot meet the requirements due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability or as a result of your age.

Where can I take the naturalisation test?

If you have any questions about the naturalisation test, your competent naturalisation authority will help you. They will also advise you on testing centres in your area where you can register to take the test. You can find a list of testing centres in your state under "Downloads".

Participation in the naturalisation test costs 25 euros. Please remember to bring a valid photo ID on the day of the exam.

How can I prepare for the naturalisation test?

The best way to prepare for the naturalisation test is to interactively work with the questionnaire in the online test centre provided by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. After completing each question, you will see the correct answer. The test consists of a total of 310 questions, including 300 general questions and 10 questions about the Federal State where you live. You can also fill out a sample test form. Once you have answered all the questions, you will be able to see the questions that you answered correctly. You can then study the correct answers along with some brief background information.

You can also download the complete questionnaire for the "Life in Germany" and "Naturalisation Test" tests as a PDF document from the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The sample questionnaire is also available for download there. Some Federal States also offer courses to prepare for the naturalisation test. You can obtain information about this from your local naturalisation authority.

I have already attended an integration course. Which certificates are recognised?

If you have already attended an integration course and obtained the "Zertifikat Integrationskurs" (integration course certificate), you can use this to provide proof of the following:

• Sufficient German language skills if you have reached level B1 in the "German test for immigrants" (DTZ).
• Knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany if you have achieved at least 17 out of 33 points in the "Life in Germany" test.

If you have any questions about the tests in integration courses or the naturalisation test, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees service for citizens will be happy to help you.