Naturalization
The most important documents
(Language certificate, naturalization test, certificates, etc.)
Foreigners who have already submitted an application to a foreigners authority know this: An application is only as good as the documents that support it. This is also the case with naturalization: an application for naturalization stands or falls on the evidence it contains. It is therefore extremely important to submit the correct and complete documents. This ensures in advance that the entire application process is not unnecessarily delayed by avoidable queries from the authorities, so that you can hold your naturalization certificate in your hands as quickly as possible.
Below we explain which documents you should submit together with your application for naturalization and what you should pay attention to in order to make the authorities' work easier and thus speed up the process.
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Naturalization - you need these documents
Having the right documents is therefore important for obtaining German citizenship - but what are they? Unfortunately, there is no definitive, universally valid answer to this question. Basically, you must prove that you meet all the requirements for naturalization. The specific documents that need to be submitted vary from case to case. There are also regional differences. It is therefore always advisable to obtain information from the naturalization authority responsible for you. Of course, our lawyers can also take care of this for you.
As a rule, you should submit your application for naturalization together with these documents:
Checklist: Documents for the application for naturalization in Germany
Usually necessary:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Residence permit
- Proof of secure livelihood
- Proof of sufficient pension provision
- Proof of knowledge of the legal and social order
- German language certificate B1 or higher
- Resume
If applicable:
- Marriage certificate / divorce decree
- Passport, birth certificate and school certificates of your family members
You must also complete a number of forms and submit them to the naturalization authority. These may include, for example, a declaration of livelihood, a confirmation from your landlord and a confirmation from your employer. As a rule, you must also submit the regular application form together with your application. However, the exact content of these forms often differs from authority to authority. We therefore recommend that you seek legal advice. In this way, you can benefit from our extensive experience with naturalization authorities and obtain your German citizenship as quickly as possible.
Language skills and language certificate
These certificates are recognized
To prove your knowledge of the German language, you usually have to present a language certificate. For naturalization, this certificate must generally attest to a language level of B1 or higher (B2 or C1) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. However, not all language certificates are recognized by the German naturalization authorities. Below you will find a list of B1 certificates that are recognized by the authorities, including the providers that issue these certificates (as of 2024):
- Goethe-Zertifikat - Goethe-Institut e.V.
- Certificate German B1 - telc gGmbH
- German B1-B2 Beruf / Pflege - telc gGmbH
- German test for immigrants (DTZ) B1 - G.A.S.T. e.V.
- German B1 - ECL (European Consortium for The Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages)
- German Language Diploma - First Level DSD I Level B1 / DSD I PRO Level B1 - Kultusministerkonferenz
- ÖSD Certificate B1 - Austrian Language Diploma
- B1 German Test for Austria (DTÖ) - ÖIF (Austrian Integration Fund)
- B1 Integration test - ÖIF (Austrian Integration Fund)
Proof without language certificate
However, not every applicant for naturalization has to be able to provide proof of a successful language test. In fact, there are a number of cases in which no language certificate is required at all. This is the case, for example, if you have a German secondary school leaving certificate or another equivalent or higher German school leaving certificate.
Even if you have attended a German-language school for at least four years and have advanced to the next higher class at the end of the school year, you do not need to present a language certificate. The same applies if you have advanced to the tenth grade of a German-speaking secondary school (Gymnasium, Realschule or Gesamtschule).
Anyone who has successfully completed a university or university of applied sciences degree or vocational training does not need to present a language certificate either - provided that the degree or training was in German. And last but not least, children under the age of 16 do not have to present a certificate in accordance with Section 10 (4) sentence 2 StAG, but only have to provide evidence of age-appropriate language development .
In order to prove the existence of one of the above-mentioned exceptions, you must generally submit the relevant certificate.
Naturalization test
The naturalization test as proof of knowledge of the legal and social order
To prove that you have knowledge of the legal and social order as well as living conditions in Germany, you usually have to pass the naturalization test. This consists of 33 questions, of which you must answer more than half, i.e. at least 17, correctly. You have one hour to complete the test, which costs 25 euros.
You can only take the naturalization test at certain test centres that are approved by the state. Which and how many of these test centers there are depends on the federal state. Below we have listed all officially approved test centers for each federal state. Simply click on your federal state and search for your place of residence or zip code to find out where you can take the naturalization test in your area.
Test centers for the naturalization test
Tip
In some cases, there can be considerable waiting times at test centers in larger cities. It can therefore be worthwhile looking for stations outside the city area. In this way, you may be able to significantly reduce the waiting time.
Naturalization without a naturalization test
Instead of taking a naturalization test, you can also prove the required knowledge of the German legal and social order by means of a secondary school leaving certificate or a comparable or higher school leaving certificate (grammar school, secondary modern school or comprehensive school). A degree in law or political science successfully completed in Germany is also suitable as proof of knowledge of the legal and social order.
You do not have any of the alternative proofs and therefore have to pass the naturalization test? Don't worry, the test is easy to take if you have prepared accordingly. To practice, you can look at the entire list of possible questions and simulate the naturalization test online.
Translation, legalization, apostille & Co.
The question of translation often arises for documents from abroad. The official language is German in accordance with § 23 Para. 1 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG). The naturalization authorities can therefore request the submission of translations of foreign-language documents at any time. We therefore recommend having all documents and papers that are not already in German translated into German by sworn translators .
Documents from abroad regularly not only have to be translated, but also legalized . This means that the competent German diplomatic mission abroad, i.e. the embassy or consulate responsible for your country of origin, must confirm the authenticity of the document and - if evident - its accuracy. The documents to be legalized must be submitted there in the original.
However, this legalization procedure often costs a lot of time and money - after all, it is not always easy for German officials to determine whether a foreign document is genuine. In order to simplify and speed up the legalization process, many countries around the world have signed the Hague Apostille Convention, including Germany. According to this convention, states can directly affix a certain endorsement, the so-called Hague Apostille (or just apostille), to the documents of their own authorities. This apostille serves as proof to other member states of the Convention that the document is authentic - they then no longer carry out legalization themselves. So if your country of origin is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you generally no longer need to have your documents legalized by the German embassy.
On the website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find a list of all countries to which the Hague Apostille Convention applies in relation to Germany. However, there are also exceptional cases in which documents do not have to be legalized or apostilled: Documents from member states of the European Union and multilingual international documents under the CIEC Convention are such cases. Furthermore, Germany has concluded bilateral agreements with some countries which waive the need for legalization and its replacement by an apostille. We therefore recommend that you obtain specific information about the procedure for your country of origin. Details can be found on the website of the German diplomatic mission responsible for your country of origin.
FAQ on naturalization:
Where can I take the naturalization test?
In Germany, you can register for and take the naturalization test at all participating institutions. These institutions differ regionally within Germany. We have sorted all institutions by federal state for you:
Tip:
You can register for the naturalization test throughout Germany, but answer the questions of the federal state in which you live.
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my naturalization application?
Even now, it usually takes up to 12 monthsuntil a decision is made on an application for naturalization. When the new law comes into force on 26 June 2024, the number of naturalization applications is expected to increase significantly will increase significantly. This will probably also increase the processing times by several months. If the authorities do not make a decision on your application for too long, it may be advisable to file an action for failure to act action for failure to act. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on this.
Do you still have to take a naturalization test under the new Citizenship Act?
YesThe new law does not change the rules for the naturalization test. However, as before, you do not have to take the test if you are at least a German school-leaving qualification (qualificationRealschule, Abitur etc.)a completed vocational training with a grade in the subject of social studies or a degree in the fields of law and social sciences, social sciences or politics naor politics.
Can I be naturalized if I receive social assistance?
Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship must be able to prove that they can support themselves and their dependents. to support themselves and their can support themselves. They must not be receiving benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB II or SGB XII). be received. These include, for example, unemployment benefit II, basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity and social assistance.
However, according to the new law , there are exceptionsIf you have been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months within the last 24 months, receiving state benefits is not harmful. The same applies if your spouse or registered partnerwho lives with you and a child has been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months. And also for former guest workers and contract workers and their spouses who have joined them are also exempt from receiving state benefits such as social assistance if they are not responsible for this.
Can I apply for naturalization now if I want the provisions of the new law (dual citizenship, shorter period of residence, etc.) to apply to me?
The new law on citizenship comes into force on 27 June 2024, but the processing time for an application for naturalization is usually around 12 months. The decisive factor for your application is the legal situation at the time when the authorities make a decision. It is very likely that this will not be until after June 27. This means that you can, in principle, submit an application for naturalization now, which will then be decided according to the new legal situation. If a decision is made on your application before June 27, 2024, you will first be asked to provide proof that you have been released from your existing citizenship. If you do not do this by June 27, you will be able to benefit from the new law after this date and retain your citizenship.
However, this varies from authority to authority and also depends on how long you have been in Germany. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on your personal situation.
What will be the minimum period of residence for naturalization in the future?
Since the new law on citizenship came into force on June 27, 2024, the minimum period of residence in Germany is now only five years. It can be shortened to up to three years in cases of particularly good integration.
When will the new Naturalization Act come into force?
The new Naturalization Act (Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law) comes into force on June 27, 2024 in force, three months after its promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette. From then on dual citizenship in principle under German law possible for all, and will in particular the minimum period of residence to five years to five years. You can read more about the details of the new law here.
Where do I have to apply for naturalization?
Where you have to apply for naturalization depends on where you live. If you are in Germany, you must apply to the naturalization authority responsible for your place of residence. You can find out which authority this is from the foreigners authority in your town or municipality or from the district or city administration. Naturalization applications from abroad, which are processed by the Federal Office of Administration, must be submitted to the responsible German mission abroad, i.e. the German embassy or a (general) consulate.
How well do I have to speak German to be naturalized?
In principle, language skills at level B1 or higher are required for naturalization. If you can prove a higher language level, you may be able to naturalize earlier. Theoretically, naturalization is also possible with a lower language level than B1. However, this still requires a certain knowledge of the language, as your integration into the German way of life must be guaranteed. In addition, there must be a public interest in you receiving German citizenship.
Do I have to give up my old citizenship in order to naturalize in Germany?
Since the new Naturalization Act came into force on 27 June 2024, those wishing to naturalize no longer have to give up their old citizenship. According to the new legal situation, anyone can obtain dual citizenship - provided the country of origin also allows it. You can find a list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship here.
Is naturalization possible after three years?
The general period of residence that must be fulfilled for naturalization is five years. It can be shortened by up to two additional years in the case of special integration achievements, for example in work, school or voluntary work. At best, naturalization is therefore possible after just three years of residence.
Is naturalization possible despite a criminal record?
In principle, you must not have a criminal record if you want to be naturalized. However, not all previous convictions are really relevant. For example, convictions or penalty orders of no more than 90 daily rates as well as convictions for prison sentences of up to three months that were suspended and not enforced are not taken into consideration. The same applies to previous convictions that are no longer listed in the Federal Central Criminal Register. You can find out more about exemption from punishment for naturalization here.
How does the naturalization test work?
The naturalization test consists of 33 multiple choice questions, of which you must answer at least 17 correctly in order to pass. It takes one hour to complete and costs 25 euros. To prepare, you can simulate the test online or view the entire catalog of all possible questions. Where exactly you can register for the test and take it varies from region to region. We have created a corresponding overview for each federal state:
In principle, you are not obliged to take the naturalization test in your home federal state. Instead, you can take the test at any test center in Germany. However, some of the questions always relate to your home federal state, even if you take the naturalization test in another federal state.
What are the advantages of German citizenship?
Freedom of movement in Europe, the possibility of visa-free entry into many other countries with one of the "strongest" passports in the world and protection by the institutions of the German state, even when traveling abroad, are just some of the many advantages of German citizenship. In addition, German citizens enjoy unrestricted access to the labor market of all EU countries, including the possibility of becoming a civil servant, as well as a lifelong right of residence in Germany and the EU, which does not expire even during longer stays abroad.
How long does it take to process a naturalization application?
The authorities often take a very long time to process a naturalization application due to the many documents involved. Processing times of several months to well over a year are the rule. Since the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law came into force on 27 June 2024, it can be assumed that waiting times will be considerably longer again because many new applications will be submitted. To help you obtain your rights more quickly, it may be advisable to file an action for failure to act. Our experienced lawyers will be happy to advise you on this. Just ask us.
How much does naturalization cost?
A fee of 255.00 euros is payable for a naturalization certificate for adults. The fee for a rejection notice is between 25.00 and 255.00 euros. A naturalization certificate for a minor child (i.e. up to the age of 18) who is naturalized together with someone else (co-naturalization) only incurs a fee of 51.00 euros.
Can I check if I meet all the requirements for naturalization?
If you want to check whether your naturalization application would be successful, you can do our naturalization check. However, this check only gives you a first overview. If you still have detailed questions or are unsure, then it is best to contact our lawyers.
What are the requirements to become a naturalized citizen?
We have explained this in detail in our article on naturalization.
Alternatively, you can complete our Naturalization Check.
Is naturalization possible without giving up the previous citizenship in any case?
Yes, at least as far as German citizenship law is concerned. In principle, dual citizenship has been open to all foreigners, regardless of their country of origin, since June 27, 2024. However, there may be laws in the country of origin that stipulate the loss of citizenship in the event that a citizen is granted citizenship of another country. Such laws exist in countries such as China, Austria, Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands. In any case, we advise you to obtain information in the country of your previous citizenship.
