Citizenship
According to the Citizenship Act, which came into force on June 27, 2024, you can become German citizen if you
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- 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).
If you can proof C1 German language skills and special professional/school achievements or civic commitment the time required can be reduced to 3 years.
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
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- has his legal residence in Germany since 5 years and
- has a settlement-permit.
If you live in Berlin, please also note the following:
Since 1 January 2024, a central naturalization office at the Immigration Office is responsible for processing naturalization procedures in Berlin. New applications should be submitted digitally via an online platform.
All unprocessed applications have been digitized and will be processed by the new central authority. It is possible to submit a new online application with updated documents. This might speed up the process; however, the administrative fee must be paid again in this case.
We will be happy to help you with the application so that it is as complete and correct as possible. This can speed up the processing of the application. Unfortunately, we have no means of persuading the authorities to prioritize the processing of your application.
We have compiled information for you here on the possibilities and cost risks of an action for failure to act (Untätigkeitsklage).
If you have questions regarding your citizenship get in contact to our Specialist in Immigration Law Sven Hasse.
