Your checklist

German citizenship 2026: requirements after 5 years, test and fees

In German: Einbürgerung

Is it required?
Optional
When:
After five years of legal habitual residence in Germany (three years for spouses of Germans)
Time:
Often many months to over a year after applying, depending on the office
Cost:
€255 per adult, €51 per child
Last checked:
Short answerSince 27 June 2024, you can become German after five years of legal residence and keep your other nationality. The three-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025. You need B1 German, a passed Einbürgerungstest, income without social benefits and a clean record. The fee is €255 per adult. Apply at your local naturalisation office.

For foreign nationals who want to become German citizens.

On this page
  1. Who needs it
  2. When
  3. What you need
  4. How to do it
  5. What happens afterwards
  6. Common problems
  7. Costs

Who needs it

Einbürgerung (naturalisation) is optional. It's for people who want to become German citizens, with the right to vote, a German passport and full EU free movement.

What changed recently

  • 27 June 2024: a reform made dual citizenship generally possible. You no longer have to give up your old nationality to become German. The standard waiting time dropped from eight to five years.
  • 30 October 2025: the three-year fast track for "special integration achievements" was abolished. Five years is now the minimum for most people.

When

You can apply when you have lived in Germany legally and habitually for five years (§ 10 StAG).

Spouses and registered partners of German citizens can usually apply after three years of residence if the marriage has lasted at least two years (§ 9 StAG). Your spouse and minor children can be naturalised together with you, even if they have lived here for a shorter time.

What you need

The main requirements under § 10 StAG:

  • five years of legal habitual residence in Germany
  • a suitable residence status: permanent residence, an EU Blue Card, or most other permits (not, for example, student or asylum-seeker permits); EU and Swiss citizens qualify through free movement
  • German at B1 level, proven by a certificate (for example DTZ, telc or Goethe B1) or a German school or university qualification
  • a passed Einbürgerungstest (citizenship test) on life in Germany
  • income for you and your family without citizen's basic income (SGB II) or social assistance (SGB XII); there are exceptions, for example for people who worked full-time for 20 of the last 24 months
  • no criminal convictions beyond minor ones
  • a commitment to Germany's democratic constitution and to Germany's historical responsibility, including the protection of Jewish life
  • clarified identity and nationality (usually your passport)

Typical documents

  • application form of your naturalisation office
  • passport and residence permit
  • birth certificate, and marriage certificate if applicable (sometimes with official translations)
  • proof of income: employment contract, recent payslips, tax assessments
  • pension record and health insurance proof
  • B1 certificate and Einbürgerungstest certificate
  • Anmeldung certificate showing your address history

How to do it

  1. Find the naturalisation office (Einbürgerungsbehörde). It is usually part of your city or district administration. In some states one central office handles all applications.
  2. Get your B1 certificate. See learning German for courses and tests.
  3. Take the Einbürgerungstest. It has 33 multiple-choice questions, including three about your federal state. You pass with 17 correct answers. The BAMF publishes all 310 questions. Your naturalisation office tells you where to register. The test costs €25.
  4. Submit your application with all documents. Many offices offer online applications.
  5. Wait for the decision. Waiting times are long in many cities. Tell the office if your address, job or family situation changes.
  6. Receive your certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) at a ceremony or appointment. From that day you are German.

What happens afterwards

Apply for a German ID card and passport at your Bürgeramt. Your residence permit is no longer needed. If you gave up your old nationality, or your old country removes it, handle that with its embassy.

Common problems

Can I apply after three years in 2026?

Only as the spouse or registered partner of a German citizen. The general three-year fast track ended on 30 October 2025.

Can I keep my current passport?

Germany allows dual citizenship since 27 June 2024. Whether you keep your old nationality depends on the law of that country.

Do I need permanent residence first?

Not necessarily. An EU Blue Card or most other residence permits also qualify. Student, training-search and some humanitarian permits do not.

I received Bürgergeld in the past. Can I still apply?

Living on social benefits when you apply usually blocks naturalisation, unless an exception applies. Past benefits are not automatically a problem. Ask your naturalisation office about your case.

Costs

The fee is €255 per adult and €51 per minor child naturalised with a parent (if the child has no own income). The Einbürgerungstest costs €25. Language tests, documents and translations are extra.

Official sources

Rules can change. These are the pages we checked — they have the final word. How we check facts

Immigration rules depend on your nationality, job and personal situation, and the immigration office decides each case. This guide is not legal advice — check with the authority or a qualified advisor before making decisions.