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Immigration · Citizenship

German citizenship by naturalisation

Naturalisation is the end of the road rather than a step along it: it requires years of residence, language, self-sufficiency and a citizenship test.

Reviewed · Last updated August 2026

6 min read

Einfach Germany editorial team

Quick answer

Naturalisation generally requires a qualifying period of lawful residence, German language ability, passing a citizenship test, supporting yourself without state benefits and a commitment to the constitutional order. Rules on retaining your existing nationality have been reformed, so check the current position for your case.

Important

Immigration rules can depend on your nationality, qualification, employment, family circumstances and current law. Verify requirements with the relevant German authority or mission before you apply or pay anything.

1. The requirements in outline

The core elements are a qualifying period of lawful residence, a settled status, German at a defined level, passing the naturalisation test, supporting yourself and your dependants without social assistance, and no relevant criminal record.

Shorter periods can apply where someone demonstrates particularly good integration or strong language ability. Marriage to a German national has its own path.

2. The naturalisation test

A multiple-choice test on the legal and social order and on the federal state where you live. The question pool is published, courses exist, and most people who prepare pass it.

It is a modest hurdle compared with the residence and language requirements, and it should not be the thing you worry about.

3. Holding two nationalities

German law on retaining another nationality alongside German citizenship has been reformed, and the position is more permissive than it was for many years. Because this is exactly the sort of provision that changes, and because your other country’s law also decides whether you keep its nationality, confirm both sides before acting.

Getting this wrong can mean losing a nationality you intended to keep, which is not reversible.

Important

Two legal systems decide this, not one. Check German rules and your own country’s rules on losing nationality before you apply.

4. Frequently asked questions

German rules on this have been reformed and are more permissive than historically. Your other country’s law also matters, so verify both before applying.

A qualifying period that has been changed by recent reform, with reductions for strong integration. Confirm the current period for your situation.

Official information

Rules and amounts change. Always verify current requirements using official sources.

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Amounts and legal requirements can change. We verify this information against official sources and show when each figure was last checked, but always confirm important requirements with the responsible authority before you apply.

Einfach Germany is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the German government.