Naturalisation affords you equal status under the law, numerous opportunities for political engagement and other possibilities to participate in society.

Your rights as a German citizen

As a naturalised citizen of our country, you have the same legal status as any other German national with all rights and obligations.

You are entitled to vote in local, state and federal elections and you may run for elected office.

You can freely choose your occupation in Germany. As a German national, you are at the same time a citizen of the European Union, which allows you to enjoy freedom of movement throughout Europe and to travel to many countries outside Europe without a visa. As a German citizen, you acquire a number of rights:

• the right to vote
• basic constitutional rights (freedom of assembly (Article 8 of the Basic Law); freedom of association (Article 9 (1)); freedom of movement (Article 11); occupational freedom (Article 12))
• inalienable right of residence
• eligibility for civil servant status
• freedom of movement throughout the EU
• consular protection abroad
• exemption from visa requirements in many countries

Naturalisation requirements

Foreigners who have lived in Germany permanently and lawfully for five years may be eligible for naturalisation if

• they have a permanent right of residence or long-term right of residence at the time of naturalisation;
• their identity and nationality have been ascertained;
• they declare their commitment to the free and democratic constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany and to Germany’s special historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime and its consequences, in particular for the protection of Jewish life; to peaceful co-existence among peoples; and to the prohibition on waging a war of aggression;
• they have oral and written language skills corresponding to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (exceptions are possible for members of the “guest workers’ generation” and contract workers of the German Democratic Republic);
• they are familiar with the legal system, society and living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany (naturalisation test); exceptions from this requirement apply for members of the “guest workers’ generation” and contract workers of the German Democratic Republic;
• they are able to support themselves and their dependants;
• they are not married to more than one spouse and do not behave in a way which shows disrespect for the equal rights for men and women, as anchored in the Basic Law;
• they have not been convicted of a crime.

Naturalisation fee

• 255 euros per person
• 51 euros for minor children who are naturalised together with their parents

How can I become naturalised?
You need to apply for naturalisation. You have to file the naturalisation application with the naturalisation authority that is responsible for the place where you live. Naturalisation applications for children and young people under 16 years of age must be filed by their parents.

Exceptions and facilitations

Some exceptions to the naturalisation requirements may be made and fees may be waived or reduced in certain cases.

Your naturalisation authority can provide more information on these exceptions and on the naturalisation procedure in general during an individual appointment.

Competent authority

To find your naturalisation authority, ask your local government, foreigners authority or migration advisory services for adults or young people.

Persons permanently living abroad can be naturalised in exceptional cases only. For this category of persons, the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne (Bundesverwaltungsamt) is the competent authority. In these cases, the local German diplomatic representation (embassy, consulate general or other consular body) may be contacted for initial information.

Naturalisation test

As a rule, the naturalisation test is used to determine whether the applicant has the necessary familiarity with Germany's legal system, society and living conditions.

The test consists of 33 questions including three questions which apply only to the German state where you live. You must choose the correct answer from four possible responses. To pass, you must answer 17 questions correctly. In recent years, more than 90% of applicants have passed the test.

Exemption from the naturalisation test

Persons under age 16 and those who do not meet the testing requirements due to illness, disability or age do not have to take the test. And anyone who has graduated from a German school or from German higher education in law or social, political or administrative sciences does not have to take the test. The exemption from the naturalisation test also applies if you entered the Federal Republic of Germany on the basis of what is referred to as a “labour recruitment agreement” by 30 June 1974 or if you entered the German Democratic Republic as a contract worker by 13 June 1990. This applies also to your spouse who joined you shortly after your arrival in Germany.

Online test centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

Here you can do a trial run of the naturalisation test and take a look at the complete catalogue of questions.

• Online naturalisation test in German only)
• Online catalogue of questions (in German only)

You can take a sample test on the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees website. After you have answered all the questions, you can see which questions you answered correctly.

Then you can read through the correct answers including brief background information. You may also answer an interactive list of questions online. After each question is answered, the correct answer will be displayed.

The online test of the Office for Migration and Refugees is free of charge.

Private internet sites that offer to help you prepare for the naturalisation test normally charge a fee for their services. For this reason, you should carefully read the small print in the margins or at the bottom of the page and the service provider’s terms and conditions.