naturalization Eligibility Check 2026
Your naturalization check for 2026—do you meet the requirements?
Can I become a naturalized citizen in Germany?
When it comes to German naturalization ( naturalization ), it’s not always easy to keep track of everything. There are a whole series of requirements stipulated by the Nationality Act (StAG). Furthermore, many of these requirements have changed as a result of a new naturalization law that has been in effect since the end of June 2024. Assessing the chances of success for an application for naturalization ( naturalization ) is therefore often fraught with uncertainty. Our Naturalization Check helps you overcome these uncertainties. Using clear, simple questions, we’ll walk you through the legal requirements for naturalization step by step.
Naturalization Check
This check verifies “ naturalization ” in accordance with Section 10 of the StAG and requires that you be residing in Germany. If you have German ancestors or if your family was expatriated between 1933 and 1945, there is another way to achieve this:
Basics of the check
Our check is based on the applicable laws from the citizenship law, especially § 10 StAG. However, no test, no matter how well designed, can cover all eventualities. Therefore, you should note that this check is only a first indication and not a final legal assessment. Should you require such a well-founded legal assessment of your case, please do not hesitate to contact us! The same applies if you still have detailed questions that go beyond the scope of this check.
Duration of stay in Germany
The check begins with the question of how long you have been living in Germany. Only legal residence counts for this purpose; in other words, it depends on when you first obtained a residence permit ( residence permit ) or a similar document. You must also have resided in Germany without any significant interruptions. Stays abroad of up to six months do not affect your eligibility . In principle, the law requires a residence period of five years. If you can support yourself financially, have German language skills at the C1 level, and can demonstrate exceptional integration efforts, this minimum residence period can be extended to up to three years . Examples of significant integration efforts include outstanding performance at work, in vocational training, or in school, as well as volunteer work. Learn more about the length of stay here.
Latest residence title
Next, we’ll ask about the “ residence title ” (residence permit) you currently hold. This question is important because only individuals with certain types of residence permits are eligible for naturalization. Anyone who holds a permanent residence permit—that is, a “ settlement permit ” or a “Erlaubnis zum EU long-term residence permit ”—is eligible for naturalization. For temporary residence permits—that is, those that must be renewed repeatedly—a distinction is made based on whether the permit is intended to guarantee more than just temporary residence. You can learn more about residence permits at naturalization.
You can find the section of the law on which your right of residence is based on the front of your residence title card under “Notes.”
German educational qualifications
We ask about any schooling or vocational training in Germany because this can generally serve as proof of German language skills and knowledge of the legal and social system. Simply enter the highest qualification you have obtained in Germany.
If you do not have any of the specified educational or vocational qualifications, you must be able to provide a German language certificate at the B1 level or higher and have naturalization test have passed the test in order to be eligible for naturalization.
State aid
Anyone who wishes to become a naturalized citizen in Germany must be able to support themselves financially. That is why we ask whether you are currently receiving government assistance. It is important to note that only benefits under Social Code Book II (SGB II) and Social Code Book XII (SGB XII) are considered detrimental. These include, for example, Unemployment Benefit II, social assistance, and basic income support for people with reduced earning capacity or the elderly. Other benefits not covered by either SGB II or SGB XII—such as Unemployment Benefit I, child allowance, parental allowance, or BAföG—do not preclude eligibility for “ naturalization .” You can find more information on the topic of securing a livelihood here.
Family status and children
We ask about your marital status—single, married, divorced, or widowed—and whether you have children for several reasons. If you have a spouse or children who do not yet hold German citizenship, for example, you might want to joint naturalization . Through this process, these family members can apply for naturalization together with you under simplified conditions. It is also important to know whether you have a spouse or children, since their livelihood must also be secured.
Salary and pension contributions
We also ask for your current monthly salary after deduction of taxes and contributions. This provides a good estimate of whether your livelihood is secure.
Since we want to ensure that you can support yourself independently in your old age, we also ask how many years you have already paid into the German pension system. However, as an alternative to this statutory pension, a private old-age provision can also serve as proof.
Here you can learn more about the topic of livelihood.
Valid national passport
The last thing we ask is whether you are in possession of a valid national passport. If you wish to be naturalized, your identity and nationality must be clarified. As a rule, this clarification takes place with a valid passport. However, in justified individual cases, other documents may also be sufficient if it is impossible or unreasonable to obtain a passport. We have summarized the exact procedure in such cases for you here.
How our lawyers can help you
Have you taken the naturalization check and found out that you have a good chance of becoming a naturalized citizen ( naturalization )—but do you find the process you need to go through to apply for German citizenship ( naturalization ) too complicated? Do you want to make sure your application is complete and that no important documents are missing? Or did your naturalization check reveal that you don’t yet meet all the requirements, and now you’d like to know what you need to do?
No matter what your concern is—the lawyers at RT & Partner are here for you! We’d be happy to provide you with detailed advice on any questions you may have. We’ll make sure that nothing stands in the way of your obtaining German citizenship. With our many years of experience, we identify potential obstacles early on and find solutions before they become problems. When the time comes, we’ll prepare your application, verify that all documents are complete, and handle all communication with the authorities. This is how we ensure that your application has the best possible chance of success. To help you obtain “ planning certainty ” as quickly as possible, our attorneys will work to ensure that the authorities process your application without undue delay. If necessary, we will file an action for failure to act on your behalf.
Submitting applications to government agencies is never easy—especially in Germany. Few applications are as important as the one at naturalization for obtaining new citizenship. That’s why we recommend that you seek professional assistance. The attorneys at RT & Partner are here to help you.