How to apply for German citizenship: a practical step-by-step guide
Translated from the Arabic original. Read in Arabic
Getting German citizenship is a fairly long administrative journey, but the stages are clear once you know the order. This guide explains the standard route to naturalisation under section 10 of the Nationality Act (StAG), the route most immigrants in Germany take. Details can differ slightly between cities, but the main stages are the same in every federal state.
Before you start: are you eligible?
Since the citizenship reform took effect on 27 June 2024, the minimum period of lawful habitual residence in Germany has been 5 years instead of 8. On 30 October 2025 the fast track that allowed naturalisation after 3 years was abolished, so five years is now the single minimum for everyone.
Besides the residence period, the law normally requires: a valid residence permit of a kind that allows permanent or long-term stay; the ability to support yourself and your family without Bürgergeld (with specific legal exceptions); German at level B1; passing the naturalisation test or an equivalent; a criminal record free of relevant convictions; and a commitment to the free democratic constitutional order.
Step 1: get your language certificate and pass the test
These two documents delay files more than anything else, so start early. Your language certificate must come from a recognised provider such as Goethe, telc, or the DTZ at the end of an integration course. The naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest) has 33 questions, 30 general and 3 about your federal state, and you need at least 17 correct answers within 60 minutes. If you passed the "Leben in Deutschland" test in your integration course with a sufficient score, it may be accepted instead of the naturalisation test, so keep the certificate.
Step 2: find the responsible office and book an appointment
The responsible authority is the naturalisation office (Einbürgerungsbehörde) of your city or district (Landkreis). In big cities appointments can be booked out for months, and some, such as Berlin, have moved to fully online applications. Search your municipality’s website for "Einbürgerung" to find out how it accepts applications, and download its application form and document list, because each office publishes its own.
Step 3: prepare a complete file
An incomplete file is the number one reason for slow decisions. Collect every document before you apply, and have foreign documents translated by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer). We cover this in a separate guide, "Documents required for a naturalisation file".
Step 4: apply and wait
After you apply and pay the fee, the office reviews your file and requests information about you from other authorities, such as the criminal records register and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Processing usually takes from several months to more than a year, depending on the city and its backlog. During this time tell the office at once about any important change: a new address, a new job, marriage, or a renewed residence permit. Make sure your residence permit does not expire while you wait; renewing it remains your responsibility.
Step 5: receive your naturalisation certificate
When approved, you are handed your naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) and you become a German citizen at the moment you receive it, not on the date of the decision. Some cities hold a ceremony. You then apply for a German ID card and passport at the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt). Since the 2024 reform, giving up your original citizenship is no longer required in most cases, but check the law of your country of origin: some countries automatically withdraw their citizenship when a citizen acquires another.
Common mistakes that delay applications
First, applying with a language certificate from an unrecognised provider or below the required level. Second, unsworn translations of foreign documents. Third, unexplained gaps in proof of income or pension contributions. Fourth, not telling the office about a change of address or job. Fifth, letting your residence permit expire during processing. Avoid these and you will save yourself months of waiting and correspondence.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below or the competent authority for your situation. Found a mistake? Tell us.