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Naturalisation – German citizenship after 5 years (§ 10 StAG)

Ausländerbehörde · Nationality law · Legal position after the amendment of 30 October 2025

In personBMI

Through naturalisation you acquire German nationality – and with it the right to vote in elections to the Bundestag and the state parliaments, full freedom of movement within the European Union, unrestricted access to the civil service and protection against expulsion and extradition. The legal basis of the standard route is naturalisation based on entitlement (Anspruchseinbürgerung) under § 10 of the Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG): anyone who meets all the requirements listed there has a legal entitlement that can be enforced in court – the authority does not decide at its free discretion but must grant naturalisation.

Legal position: Two reforms shape the current situation. Since 27 June 2024 (Act to Modernise Nationality Law), five instead of eight years of lawful habitual residence have been sufficient, multiple nationality has been generally accepted, and § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 1a StAG requires, in addition to the commitment to the free democratic basic order (Nr. 1), an express commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility and to the resulting protection of Jewish life.

Important change – naturalisation after three years no longer exists. The so-called fast-track naturalisation (Turboeinbürgerung) for special integration achievements (§ 10 Abs. 3 StAG, old version) was abolished without replacement with effect from 30 October 2025 by the Act Amending the Nationality Act (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256). Since then, the required period of prior residence of five years has applied without exception; a C1 certificate, voluntary work or outstanding professional achievements no longer shorten the period. Naturalisations that have already been granted remain effective. The Act does not provide for any transitional arrangement for older applications that have not yet been decided – what counts is the legal position at the time of the authority’s decision; the competent naturalisation authority will clarify how your specific application is handled. If you have not yet reached the five years, the only routes you can consider are discretionary naturalisation under § 8 StAG or naturalisation of spouses under § 9 StAG (both under Important notes); the regular five-year route is described under Step by step.

Last updated3 October 2026
Legal basis§ 10 StAG (naturalisation based on entitlement) · § 38 StAG (fees)
VerificationChecked by AmtsDeutschland.de
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information website: we are not the Ausländerbehörde, not an authority and not a paid advice service – we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain language; binding information always comes from the competent body. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source – this is information, not legal or tax advice.
Costs€255.00Children who are minors: €51.00 (§ 38 StAG)
Processing time3 months to 3 yearsNational average around 14 months · no statutory deadline
MethodIn personApplication to the naturalisation authority, partly online
Required documents

What you must submit

The naturalisation procedure is the most document-intensive procedure in immigration law: the authority must be able to fully establish your identity, periods of residence, language skills, income, the absence of a criminal record and your loyalty to the constitution. Which forms are required in detail is determined by the competent local authority – the following list covers the proof that is customary nationwide. Allow several months for obtaining foreign documents and having them translated, and always submit originals together with a set of copies.

Valid national passport

The naturalisation authority must establish your identity and your current nationality beyond doubt; without a clarified identity, there is no naturalisation. Present your passport in the original – it should remain valid throughout the entire procedure, as an expired document usually leads to requests for further documents. If you cannot obtain a passport, clarify in writing in advance which substitute proof the authority accepts.

Residence title under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 StAG

What is required is a permanent right of residence, an EU long-term residence permit (Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU) or a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for a purpose that allows permanent residence. A settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) is expressly not mandatory: the EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) or a residence permit for the purpose of economic activity or for family reunification is also usually sufficient. Titles for temporary purposes – such as studies or vocational training – are not sufficient, nor are an Aufenthaltsgestattung (permission to remain pending the asylum decision) and a Duldung (temporary suspension of deportation).

Proof of five years of lawful habitual residence

The usual proof is an extended registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office) that shows all your addresses over the past years without gaps; in addition, the authority consults your immigration file. Longer stays abroad can interrupt the period – stays of up to six months are not detrimental under § 12b StAG. Enclose your tenancy agreement and, if applicable, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation) if the authority wants additional evidence of your habitual residence.

German language certificate at level B1

§ 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 StAG requires sufficient knowledge of the German language at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Recognised certificates include the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD B1 and the Zertifikat Integrationskurs from the integration course, as well as higher-level proof such as DSH or TestDaF. The certificates are valid indefinitely; a German school-leaving qualification also replaces the proof of language skills as a rule.

Certificate of passing the naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest)

Under § 1 of the Naturalisation Test Ordinance (Einbürgerungstestverordnung, EinbTestV), the test comprises 33 multiple-choice questions, three of which relate to the federal state (Bundesland); you pass with 17 or more correct answers within 60 minutes. You receive the certificate from the test centre and submit a copy of it – details on registration and preparation can be found under BAMF – Einbürgerungstest. Children under 16, people with a German school-leaving qualification or a relevant German university degree, and people who cannot take the test because of illness, disability or age are exempt.

Signed commitment to the free democratic basic order

§ 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 StAG requires an express commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz, GG); since 27 June 2024, § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 1a StAG has added the commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime of injustice and to the resulting protection of Jewish life. You make these commitments on a form provided by the authority, together with the declaration of loyalty that Nr. 1 also requires and often with questions about membership of organisations. Acts motivated by antisemitism, racism or other contempt for humanity rule out naturalisation; incorrect information can later lead to the withdrawal of the naturalisation under § 35 StAG.

Proof that your subsistence is secured

Under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 StAG, you must be able to secure the subsistence of yourself and your dependent family members without benefits under Book Two or Book Twelve of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch, SGB). The usual documents are your employment contract, your payslips for the last twelve months and proof of health insurance; self-employed people submit their most recent tax assessment notice, a calculation of their profits and often a certificate from their tax consultant. The proof must not be out of date – many authorities request current payslips shortly before the decision.

Civil status documents (Personenstandsurkunde) with certified translation

You need your birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) and, depending on your marital status, marriage certificates, divorce certificates or a death certificate (Sterbeurkunde), as well as the documents of the children who are to be naturalised together with you. Documents in a foreign language must be translated by a translator who is publicly appointed or sworn in Germany; depending on the country of origin, the authority also requires an apostille or legalisation. Obtaining, translating and having documents additionally certified (Überbeglaubigung) is the most common reason for delays of several months – start on this before the submission of the application.

Complete CV in tabular form, with no gaps

The CV documents your places of residence, periods of schooling and training, employment and stays abroad, and serves the authority as a framework for the examination of your periods of residence. It must have no gaps – every unexplained gap triggers a query and extends the procedure. Sign and date it and state periods to the exact month.

Information on criminal offences and pending proceedings

As a rule, you do not have to obtain a certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis) yourself: the naturalisation authority obtains the information from the Federal Central Criminal Register (Bundeszentralregister) ex officio and also makes enquiries with public prosecution offices and security authorities. Your own declaration on previous convictions and pending investigation proceedings is nevertheless part of the application – proceedings that you conceal count as incorrect information. Under § 12a StAG, minor convictions are disregarded within certain limits; offences motivated by antisemitism, racism or other contempt for humanity, on the other hand, never are.

Documents for children who are to be naturalised with you

For each child, the Geburtsurkunde, passport, residence title and, if the parents live apart, proof of parental custody or the approval of the other parent are required. Children who are minors and have no income of their own are naturalised together with you at the reduced fee of €51. From the age of 16, the child has capacity to act in the procedure under § 34 Satz 1 StAG, so they submit the application themselves and must in principle meet the requirements of § 10 Abs. 1 StAG in their own person.

Application form of the competent naturalisation authority

There is no uniform federal form – every city, every district (Landkreis) and every central federal state authority uses its own forms, which you can usually download from the administrative portal. Some federal states now offer a fully digital submission of the application with an upload of the proof. Before your appointment, check your authority’s individual checklist, as some local authorities require additional declarations.

Step by step

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Check your entitlement under § 10 Abs. 1 StAG

    Naturalisation based on entitlement requires all of the following: five years of lawful habitual residence in Germany, the commitment to the free democratic basic order and the separate commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility and to the protection of Jewish life, a suitable residence title, subsistence secured without benefits under Book Two of the Social Code (SGB II) or Book Twelve of the Social Code (SGB XII), knowledge of German at level B1, a passed Einbürgerungstest, no relevant convictions, and clarified identity and nationality. If even one of these requirements is missing, there is no entitlement – at most, discretionary naturalisation then remains. If, on the other hand, there is a ground for exclusion under § 11 StAG, such as a polygamous marriage or disregard of the equal rights of men and women, any naturalisation is ruled out, including discretionary naturalisation. Go through the points one by one before the submission of the application, because a refusal costs time and usually fees as well.

  2. 2

    Calculate your periods of residence correctly

    What counts is five years of lawful habitual residence; the former eight-year period has no longer applied since 27 June 2024, and a reduction to three years has no longer existed since 30 October 2025. Under § 55 Abs. 3 of the Asylum Act (Asylgesetz, AsylG), periods during an asylum procedure are only counted if you have been recognised as entitled to asylum with final and binding effect or have been granted international protection – in the case of rejected or still pending procedures, this time does not count. Periods with a Duldung are not lawful residence. If in doubt, ask the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners authority) for a statement of your periods of residence before you submit the application.

  3. 3

    Obtain proof of German at level B1

    Register early for a B1 examination, as examination dates in metropolitan areas are often booked up weeks in advance. If you attend an integration course, you already obtain the required proof by passing the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ, German language test for immigrants) at level B1. A German school-leaving qualification or university degree usually replaces the certificate; clarify this with your authority in advance to save an unnecessary examination fee.

  4. 4

    Take the Einbürgerungstest

    The test takes place at an approved test centre – often adult education centres (Volkshochschule) and other recognised educational institutions. Under § 2 EinbTestV, the flat fee is €25 per test participant; you register in person with an identity document, and the result is usually available after a few weeks. You answer 33 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes and pass with 17 or more correct answers. The test can be repeated as often as you like, but each repetition costs the flat fee again; a free online practice test from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF) helps you prepare.

  5. 5

    Obtain your documents and have them translated

    Request birth, marriage and other civil status documents from your country of origin as soon as you plan your naturalisation – via diplomatic missions, this often takes several months. Then commission a translator who is publicly appointed in Germany and clarify whether an apostille or legalisation is necessary. Sort the documents according to your authority’s checklist and make a complete set of copies of everything.

  6. 6

    Submit the application to the naturalisation authority

    The competent authority is not always the Ausländerbehörde: depending on the federal state, the decision is made by the city, the district, the district office (Bezirksamt) or a central federal state authority – in Berlin, for example, the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung), in Hamburg the district offices. The application is submitted in person, by post or, in several federal states, fully digitally; incomplete applications are generally not processed but trigger a request for further documents with a deadline. Make a note of the date of receipt and the file reference number, because both are important for later status enquiries and for calculating time limits.

  7. 7

    Pay the fee of €255.00

    Under § 38 Abs. 2 StAG, the fee is €255 per person; for a child who is a minor, is naturalised together with you and has no income of their own within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz, EStG), it is reduced to €51. Whether payment is required as an advance on submission of the application or only after the decision is determined by the competent authority. Keep the proof of payment – it will be added to the file if queries arise.

  8. 8

    The authority’s review, routine enquiries and waiting time

    The authority examines your documents, obtains information from the Federal Central Criminal Register, makes further routine enquiries (Regelanfragen) with security authorities and involves the Ausländerbehörde. There is no statutory time limit for the decision: some local authorities decide in around three months, in Berlin and Hamburg around 8 to 14 months are currently quoted, in Munich around 17 months, and in some large cities procedures take two to three years; the national average is around 14 months. During this time, report every change without being asked – a move, a change of job, marriage, the birth of a child, investigation proceedings – as the requirements must be met at the time of the decision.

  9. 9

    Receive your naturalisation certificate

    Under § 16 StAG, naturalisation only takes effect upon handover of the naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) – until that moment, you are a foreign national and need a valid residence title. Many local authorities hand over the certificate at a naturalisation ceremony. You then apply at the Bürgeramt for your identity card (Personalausweis) (€46.00 from the age of 24, €27.60 below that age) and, if needed, a passport (€70.00 from the age of 24, €37.50 below that age); paper passport photos are no longer accepted for this, and a digital photograph is required.

Fee information

Costs and payment

Fees

Naturalisation fee€255.00 per person (§ 38 Abs. 2 StAG)
Reduction for children€51.00 per child who is a minor, has no income of their own and is naturalised with you
Naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest)€25.00 per attempt (§ 2 EinbTestV), online practice test free of charge
Language examination and documentsDepending on the examination provider, the translation agency and the issuing body
Place of paymentNaturalisation authority or city treasury
Means of paymentBank transfer or card payment – depending on the competent authority

The €255 is a fee set by federal law and is therefore the same everywhere in Germany; a federal state can neither increase nor reduce it. It is charged per person: a married couple pays €510, and with two children who are minors and have no income of their own, €612 in total. The distinction from capacity to act is important – the reduced €51 applies to every minor child naturalised with a parent, i.e. until their 18th birthday, not only until the age of 16. From the age of 16, however, the child submits their own application under § 34 Satz 1 StAG and must in principle meet the requirements themselves.

Also allow for additional costs that are not paid to the authority: €25 for each attempt at the Einbürgerungstest, the fee for the B1 language examination, certified translations of documents in foreign languages charged according to effort, obtaining civil status documents in your country of origin including an apostille and, where applicable, passport photos, certifications and travel costs. These items are not regulated uniformly nationwide and depend on the provider, the language and the country of origin – no reliable lump sum can be given for them. If your country of origin requires a procedure of its own for release from your current nationality, its fees are added.

If your application is refused after processing on the merits has begun, or if you withdraw it after that point, a fee ranging from €25 up to the amount of the fee provided for naturalisation is charged under § 38 Abs. 2 Satz 3 StAG; the competent authority sets the exact amount within this range. Do not count on getting away without paying anything for an application with no prospect of success – checking the requirements in advance under Step 1 is also financially the most important stage of the procedure.

Good to know

Important notes and special cases

Naturalisation after three years has been abolished. § 10 Abs. 3 StAG was abolished without replacement with effect from 30 October 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256). Anyone relying on a C1 certificate or voluntary work no longer qualifies for a shortened period as a result – it remains five years. Providers or guides that still advertise fast-track naturalisation in 2026 are reproducing outdated law.

Dual citizenship: Germany allows it – your country of origin may not. Since 27 June 2024, naturalisation has generally been carried out with acceptance of multiple nationality, and the former obligation to give up your previous nationality no longer applies; the amendment of 30 October 2025 did not change this. Whether you keep your previous nationality, however, depends exclusively on the law of your country of origin: some states withdraw it automatically when a foreign nationality is acquired. Clarify this in advance with the competent diplomatic mission before you lose rights of inheritance, rights to real property or rights of entry.

The commitments under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 and 1a StAG are a genuine hurdle. Since 2024, Nr. 1a has also expressly required recognition of Germany’s special historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime of injustice and of the resulting protection of Jewish life. Acts motivated by antisemitism, racism or other contempt for humanity rule out naturalisation – regardless of whether they led to a conviction. Anyone who provides incorrect information here risks the withdrawal of the naturalisation under § 35 StAG.

The exceptions regarding subsistence are narrow – and there is no general case of hardship. Since 27 June 2024, the requirement under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 StAG can essentially only be waived for the generation of guest workers (Gastarbeiter) and contract workers (Vertragsarbeitnehmer), for people in full-time employment who have been employed for at least 20 months in the last 24 months, and for their family members. A general hardship provision no longer exists. Top-up benefits under Book Two of the Social Code (SGB II) are therefore, as a rule, a reason for refusal.

No entitlement? Then check discretionary naturalisation under § 8 StAG. It can be considered for people with lawful habitual residence who do not meet any grounds for expulsion, have their own home and can secure their own subsistence. Unlike under § 10 StAG, the authority decides at its discretion – there is no legal entitlement, and the requirements are specified in the administrative regulations of the respective federal state. For spouses and registered civil partners (eingetragener Lebenspartner) of German nationals, facilitated naturalisation under § 9 StAG also applies.

Many children born in Germany are already German – without any application. Under the birthplace principle of § 4 Abs. 3 StAG, a child of foreign parents acquires German nationality by birth in Germany if one parent has been lawfully habitually resident in Germany for five years (previously eight) and has a permanent right of residence. Check this before you pursue a naturalisation procedure for your child that incurs fees. For older children, being naturalised together with a parent remains the usual route.

The Einbürgerungstest can be repeated as often as you like. A failed attempt carries no waiting period and has no consequences for your application; however, each repetition costs €25 again. The complete catalogue of questions is public, and a free online practice test from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees simulates the examination situation. Anyone who has already passed a recognised naturalisation or integration test can prove this with a copy of the certificate.

There is a legal remedy if processing takes excessively long. As there is no statutory time limit for the decision, the action for failure to act under § 75 of the Code of Administrative Court Procedure (Verwaltungsgerichtsordnung, VwGO) is the usual instrument: it is generally admissible if no decision has been made on an application within three months without sufficient reason. In practice, applicants first document status enquiries made in writing. Given procedures that take two to three years in some large cities, careful documentation of the date of receipt and of requests for further documents is important.

You only become German once you hold the certificate in your hand. Under § 16 StAG, naturalisation takes effect upon handover of the naturalisation certificate – a positive official notice (Bescheid) or an assurance of naturalisation (Einbürgerungszusicherung) is not sufficient. Therefore, keep your residence title valid until the handover appointment and do not leave the country on the assumption that you are already German. Immediately after the handover, you should apply for an identity card and a passport, as Germans aged 16 and over are obliged to hold an identity document.

Avoid these mistakes

Common mistakes and their consequences

Planning on naturalisation after three years. The reduction for special integration achievements has been abolished since 30 October 2025. Consequence: the application is refused as premature, the fees spent on the test, language examination and translations are lost, and you must wait out the remaining period of residence.

Counting periods in the asylum procedure or with a Duldung across the board. Under § 55 Abs. 3 AsylG, the time of the asylum procedure only counts if you have been recognised as entitled to asylum with final and binding effect or have received international protection; periods with a Duldung are not lawful residence. Consequence: the five-year period has in fact not yet been met, the application is refused and the fee can be charged nonetheless.

Submitting proof of language skills that is not recognised. Internal course certificates or certificates from providers that are not recognised do not satisfy § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 StAG. Consequence: the authority requests further documents, and the procedure is suspended until the next examination opportunity – often several months later in metropolitan areas.

Concealing top-up social benefits or an investigation. The authority cross-checks your information with the Jobcenter (job centre), the Federal Central Criminal Register and the security authorities. Consequence: incorrect information leads to a refusal – and, if naturalisation has already taken place, to its withdrawal under § 35 StAG, which is possible up to ten years after naturalisation.

Letting your residence title expire during the procedure. Naturalisation only takes effect upon handover of the certificate (§ 16 StAG). Consequence: without a valid title, your residence becomes unlawful, the naturalisation requirement of § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 StAG is no longer met and the procedure is stopped – extend your title in good time.

Submitting documents in a foreign language without a certified translation. Only translations by publicly appointed or sworn translators are accepted, depending on the country of origin also with an apostille or legalisation. Consequence: the application is considered incomplete, the authority sets an additional period, and obtaining the documents abroad takes months again.

Assuming that your old nationality will automatically remain. Germany accepts multiple nationality, but the law of your country of origin can order its loss automatically. Consequence: loss of rights to real property, inheritance or entry in your country of origin and a visa requirement when visiting – check the legal position before the naturalisation certificate is handed over.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

How many years of residence do I need for naturalisation?

For naturalisation based on entitlement under § 10 Abs. 1 StAG, five years of lawful habitual residence in Germany are required; until 26 June 2024, it was eight years. A shorter period has no longer existed since 30 October 2025, as the reduction to three years was abolished without replacement.

Does naturalisation after three years still exist?

No. The so-called fast-track naturalisation (Turboeinbürgerung) for special integration achievements under § 10 Abs. 3 StAG was repealed with effect from 30 October 2025 by the Act Amending the Nationality Act (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256). Anyone who has not yet reached the five years can only consider discretionary naturalisation under § 8 StAG or naturalisation of spouses under § 9 StAG, to which there is no legal entitlement.

Do I have to give up my old nationality?

Not under German law: since 27 June 2024, naturalisation has generally been carried out with acceptance of multiple nationality, and the obligation to give up your previous nationality under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 StAG (old version) has been abolished. Whether you keep your previous nationality depends solely on the law of your country of origin; some states automatically withdraw it when a foreign nationality is acquired.

How much does naturalisation cost in total?

Under § 38 Abs. 2 StAG, the naturalisation fee is €255 per person and €51 for a child who is a minor, has no income of their own and is naturalised with you; a family of four with two children who are minors therefore pays €612. In addition, there is €25 for the Einbürgerungstest as well as costs for the language examination, certified translations and obtaining documents, which vary depending on the provider and the issuing body.

How many questions does the Einbürgerungstest have, and who is exempt?

Under § 1 EinbTestV, the test paper contains 33 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers, three of which relate to the respective federal state; the time allowed is 60 minutes, and you pass with 17 or more correct answers. Children under 16, people with a German school-leaving qualification or a relevant German university degree, and people who cannot take the test because of illness, disability or age are exempt.

Do periods in the asylum procedure count towards the five years?

Only to a limited extent: under § 55 Abs. 3 AsylG, the period of residence during the asylum procedure is counted only if you have been recognised as entitled to asylum with final and binding effect or have been granted international protection. In the case of rejected or still pending procedures, this time does not count, nor do periods with a Duldung.

Do I need a settlement permit for naturalisation?

No. § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 StAG requires a permanent right of residence, an EU long-term residence permit or a residence permit for a purpose that allows permanent residence – this also includes, for example, the EU Blue Card. Titles for temporary purposes such as studies or vocational training are not sufficient, nor are an Aufenthaltsgestattung and a Duldung.

Can I receive Bürgergeld (citizen’s benefit) and still be naturalised?

As a rule, no: under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 StAG, you must be able to secure the subsistence of yourself and your dependent family members without benefits under Book Two or Book Twelve of the Social Code. Since 27 June 2024, the exceptions have been narrowly defined and essentially concern the generation of guest workers and contract workers, as well as people in full-time employment with at least 20 months of employment in the last 24 months and their family members; a general hardship provision no longer exists.

How long does the naturalisation procedure take?

There is no statutory time limit for the decision, and the duration varies considerably across Germany: some local authorities decide in around three months, in Berlin and Hamburg around 8 to 14 months are currently quoted, in Munich around 17 months, and in some large cities procedures take two to three years. The national average is around 14 months; after three months without a decision, an action for failure to act under § 75 VwGO can generally be considered.

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