Citizenship

According to the Citizenship Act, which came into force on June 27, 2024, you can become German citizen if you

• • have your habitual residence in Germany since 5 years,
  • have a specific residence title
    naturalization is not possible with the following residence titles: §§ 16a, 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f, 17, 18f, 19, 19b, 19e, 20, 22, 23a, 24, 25 paragraphs 3 to 5 and § 104c,
  • B1 German language certificate
  • citizenship test or “Test Leben in Deutschland”
  • no serious criminal record
  • the previous nationality does not have to be renounced (dual citizenship),
  • naturalization is not possible if you receive social welfare (exception: people in full-time employment or hardship cases)
  • German citizenship will no longer be lost if you accept a foreign citizenship (“Beibehaltungsgenehmigung” is no longer required).

According to a draft law proposed by the new federal government, it will no longer be possible to reduce the naturalization period to three years in cases of outstanding integration.

Spouses and children under the age of 16 can be naturalized, even if they have not been in Germany long enough.

Spouses of a German can be naturalized if they have been legally resident in Germany for three years and the marriage has existed for at least two years.

Spouses and children under the age of 16 can continue to be naturalized, even if they have not been in Germany long enough.

Children, born in Germany after June, 27 2024 obtain the German citizenship by birth, if on the day of birth either one of the parents is German citizen or

• • has his legal residence in Germany since 5 years and
  • has a settlement-permit.