Naturalization in
Munich
Acquisition of German citizenship in Munich through naturalization
German citizenship offers numerous advantages. For example, as a German citizen, you enjoy unlimited freedom of movement within the European Union, can enter many countries around the world without a visa, and have free access to the European labor market as well as to the civil service. The Citizenship Act opens up various possibilities for acquiring German citizenship: For example, by birth, by declaration, through the expellee procedure or through naturalization.
In the following we explain exactly what you need to bear in mind if you want to naturalize in Munich. in Munich. If you want towant to make sure that your application is completes complete and that everything runs smoothly, we recommend that you make use of the services of our lawyers. With our offices directly on Goetheplatz we are we at RT & Partner are your competent and experienced contact partners for all questions in migration law. Naturalization is one of the focal points of our work. We know the workingof the authorities and know exactly what special features are involved in dealing with the Munich district administration department to be observed. In addition our lawyers are in constant contact with the authorities of the city of. And last but not least, ourlocation in the heart of the city we have the opportunity - if necessary - to bring you to your appointment at the district administration department on site accompany you to your appointment.
The requirements for naturalization in Munich
There is a legal right to naturalization in Munich if the following requirements are met:
- Capacity to act
- Habitual and legal residence in Germany for 5 years
- No ambiguity about previous nationality and identity
- Commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law
- Possession of a permanent right of residence or a specific residence permit
- Secured livelihood for you and your family members
- No felony conviction;
- Sufficient knowledge of German
- Sufficient knowledge of the legal and social order as well as living conditions in Germany
Capacity to act
According to the Nationality Act, the capacity to act comes into effect when a person reaches the age of 16. Only then can an application for naturalization be submitted independently . For persons under 16 years of age, the legal representatives (e.g. parents) must act.
Ordinary and legal residence
In order to be naturalized, you must have had your habitual and legal residence in Germany for a certain period of time. This period is five years. However, under certain circumstances, which we explain in more detail in the box opposite, it can be shortened by up to two years. At best, naturalization is therefore after just three years residence is possible.
Possibilities to shorten the deadline
Naturalization after less than five years of residence is possible under the following conditions:
- German language skills at the level C1,
- secure livelihood and
Special integrationachievements (e.g. in work, training or school) or civic engagement (e.g. voluntary work)
Identity verification
A mandatory requirement for naturalization in the city of Munich is that there is clarity about the identity and nationality of the applicant. Problems can occasionally arise when establishing identity, especially if there is no state structure in the respective home country and reliable information is therefore not possible in individual cases.
According to the case law of the Federal Administrative Court, the identity and nationality check is carried out in three stages: The simplest is the first stage, in which identity and nationality can be proven by presenting a passport, passport replacement or other official identity documents with a photograph. In case such documents are not available and their procurement is not possible or unreasonable, identity can be established by other suitable official proof, such as a driver's license, service card, military passport, birth certificate, etc. (second stage). If the presentation of such documents is also not possible or reasonable, the identity can, in the third stage, be established by recourse to non-official documents or possibly also by witness statements.
Commitment to the free democratic basic order / Declaration of loyalty
As part of the naturalization procedure, a commitment to the free democratic basic order is required, as well as a commitment to Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime. In addition, a declaration is required that you do not belong or have not belonged to an anti-constitutional or extremist movement, nor have you supported or endorsed such a movement.
The declaration of allegiance and the declaration are generally submitted to the district administration department when the application is submitted in Munich. At the latest, however, before the naturalization certificate is issued. If you are not able to act, the declaration of faith and the declaration are not required.
Permanent right of residence or special residence permits
At the time of naturalization, the applicant must either have a settlement permit or a temporary residence permit, which ensures permanent or at least not only temporary residence. You can find out which temporary residence permits are accepted in Munich for obtaining German citizenship in the box.
Special residence permits
- For the purpose of gainful employment(§ 18a AufenthG or § 18b AufenthG)
- EU Blue Card(§ 18g AufenthG)
- For the purpose of mobility within the framework of studies(§ 16c AufenthG)
- For the purpose of exercising other qualified activities or employment as a civil servant(Section 19c AufenthG)
- For the purpose of employment for qualified tolerated persons(Section 19d AufenthG)
- For the purpose of self-employment(§ 21 AufenthG)
- After incontestable recognition of asylum or the granting of refugee status or subsidiary protection(§ 25 Para. 1, 2 AufenthG)
- Residence permit for well-integrated young people and young adults(Section 25a AufenthG) and in the case of sustainable integration(Section 25b AufenthG)
- For family reasons(§§ 27 to 36 AufenthG)
- To exercise the right to return(Section 37 Residence Act)
- Residence permit for former Germans(§ 38 AufenthG)
- Opportunity card ( 20a AufenthG)
- For reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons ( 23 para. 1 AufenthG)
Independently securing the livelihood
The prerequisite for naturalization in Munich is that the person wishing to naturalize is able to support themselves and their dependent family members without relying on state assistance under Social Code II (SGB II) and Social Code XII (SGB XII). SGB II includes, for example, unemployment benefit II, while SGB XII regulates social assistance or basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity.
Public benefits such as unemployment benefit I, child benefit, child supplement, child-raising allowance, parental benefit or BAföG have no effect on the naturalization application. Anyone who has been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last two years does not have to provide any further proof - their livelihood is then automatically considered to be secured. The same applies to people who are raising a child together with their spouse if the spouse has worked for 20 months within the last two years. And also for former contracts or guest workers There is also an exception for former contract or guest workers: for them, receiving state benefits is unproblematic, provided they are not themselves to blame.
The requirement of a secure livelihood is future-oriented. It therefore also depends on whether it is to be expected that you will be dependent on social benefits in the future. For this reason, the Munich authorities also ask about your retirement provision.
Dual citizenship
Under the old legal situation, people who wanted to be naturalized in Munich generally had to give up their previous citizenship. This was intended to prevent multiple nationalities. However, this has no longer been the case since 27 June 2024, when a new naturalization law came into force that abolishes the old rule. Dual citizenship is therefore the new standard. As a rule, anyone who is naturalized in Munich no longer has to give up their previous citizenship. This gives applicants many advantages, such as unrestricted freedom to travel between the two countries whose passports they hold and the opportunity to vote in elections both in Germany and in their country of origin.
However, there is still one exception: Naturalization without giving up your previous citizenship is only possible if your country of origin also allows dual citizenship. Although this is often not a problem, some countries stipulate that citizenship is automatically lost upon naturalization in a foreign country. These include China, India and Uganda. You can find a list of all countries in which dual citizenship is therefore not possible in our FAQ.
Impunity
As part of the naturalization process in Munich, it is checked whether there is a conviction for a criminal offense in the past. There is an obligation to answer truthfully to the question whether there are criminal convictions. In this context, convictions to fines of up to 90 daily rates or to imprisonment of up to three months, which have been suspended and remitted after expiry of the probationary period, are not taken into account. Nor can convictions that have already been expunged be taken into account.
You can find more information about the impunity requirement here.
Language skills and knowledge of the legal and social order
For naturalization in Munich, you must have sufficient language skills and knowledge of the legal and social order. This is the case if you can prove a language level of B1 (through a language test) and have successfully passed the so-called "naturalization test". You cannot take this test online, but usually have to take it at the relevant adult education center.
For people who were part of the contract or guest worker generation There is one exception: it is sufficient for them to be able to communicate verbally in German in their everyday lives without any significant problems.
Co-naturalization
Spouses or registered partners, as well as minor children can be naturalized under lower requirements, even if they have not been legally resident in Germany for 8 years.
Responsibilities for naturalization in Munich
In principle, the jurisdiction for your naturalization application depends on the place where you are registered. The competent authority is therefore the naturalization authority of your place of residence, usually the local district office. For applicants from Munich, the district administration department is responsible. You can either send your application there by post (Ruppertstraße 19, 80466 Munich) or online via the city portal münchen.de . If you apply for naturalization online, processing will be faster according to the city.
Advantages of naturalization
For people who have been living in Germany for some time and finally want to enjoy the benefits of German citizenship, naturalization is the easiest and best way to achieve this goal. This is because naturalization officially gives you German citizenship and therefore also the German passport. This German passport gives you freedom of movement throughout Europe and allows you to enter many countries without having to apply for a visa first. Naturalization also consolidates your residence in Germany - this means that you will never have to go to the foreigners authority, the city or the district administration department again to extend your residence permit. You have a lifelong right of residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The new law on citizenship mentioned above has added further advantages: as a rule, you can now obtain dual citizenship, i.e. in addition to all the advantages of German citizenship, you can also keep the passport of your country of origin.
However, it is to be expected that many people will apply for naturalization as a result of the new law. The waiting times for an appointment at the Munich District Administration Office will therefore probably increase significantly. It is not unlikely that it will take two years or longer for your application to be processed. We therefore recommend that you contact our lawyers as soon as possible. We will ensure that your application is complete, has the best possible chance of success and that the Munich authorities do not keep you waiting for an unreasonably long time.
Frequently Asked Questions on naturalization (FAQ)
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.
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.
Which countries belong to the Schengen area?
The following countries belong to the Schengen area:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Germany
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Italy
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Iceland (outside the EU)
- Liechtenstein (outside the EU)
- Norway (outside the EU)
- Switzerland (outside the EU)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen area!
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.
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.
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my naturalization application?
It usually takes up to 12 months for a decision to be made on an application for naturalization. The new Naturalization Act has also been in force since 27 June 2024. It is therefore to be expected that the number of naturalization applications will increase significantly. As a result, processing times are also likely to increase 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. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on this.
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 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. You can find more information on this at your local immigration office.
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.
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.
What is the BVA?
The abbreviation BVA stands for Federal Office of Administration. The Federal Office of Administration deals centrally with administrative tasks that are the responsibility of the federal government. As the individual federal states are generally responsible for naturalizations, the Federal Office of Administration only processes naturalization applications that are submitted from abroad. The Federal Office of Administration is also responsible for applications for the retention or release of German citizenship, as well as applications for the determination of the (non-)existence of German citizenship or the acquisition of a declaration.
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.
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.
Which diplomatic mission abroad is responsible for me?
Germany has embassies or consulates in almost every country in the world. There is often only one embassy per country - this is then responsible for all people from that country. In large countries in particular, however, there are often several consulates, each of which is responsible for one region. The exact distribution of responsibilities is then explained on the embassy's website. You can find a map of all German missions abroad here.
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.