Curriculum vitae for naturalization
Everything important
If you want to be naturalized in Germany, you usually have to enclose a CV with your application. This requirement is often perceived as a nuisance, but the CV for naturalization offers you the unique opportunity to add a personal touch to your application. This way you can make a good impression on the relevant authorities.
To help you succeed, we explain everything you need to know about the CV for naturalization on this page - what you should and should not include, how best to structure your CV and which common mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
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Julia Robl
Curriculum vitae for naturalization - Why?
Before we turn to the content of your CV: Why do you even need a CV for naturalization? Put simply, the CV illustrates the course of your life. This is relevant for the naturalization authorities because it allows them to see at a glance what your educational and professional background is like.
In addition, a well-structured CV shows how well you are integrated into German society . Integration in itself is not a prerequisite for classic naturalization after 5 years of residence, but it is for accelerated naturalization after only 3 years of residence. Section 10 para. 3 no. 1 of the German Citizenship Act (StAG) requires proof of "special integration achievements". Such integration achievements can be excellently bundled in your curriculum vitae.
And last but not least, the CV you write for naturalization shows that you really do have the language skills required for German citizenship. If you come from a country where other characters are used, you can also use your CV to demonstrate that you have mastered the letters of the Latin alphabet.
How to structure your CV
The CV is therefore an important part of your application for naturalization - but how is a good CV structured?
First of all, it is important that you provide your personal details such as name, address, date and place of birth and your contact details (telephone number and/or e-mail address) completely and correctly.
Next, you should outline your educational background . It is best to list all the schools you have attended, as well as any vocational training or university courses, even if you have not successfully completed them. You should also list any further vocational training and language courses or integration courses that you have attended. Certificates, diplomas, licenses or other qualifications that you have obtained should be listed directly with the institution where you obtained them.
This is followed by a section on your professional experience. Here you should list all the stages in your professional career - preferably without any gaps in time. Include not only the name of your employer, but also your exact position in the company. You do not necessarily have to mention any part-time jobs that you have taken up outside your actual field of activity. Especially if you only held them for a short time, you can omit these jobs to make your CV clearer.
At the end, there is often a section with various information that has not yet been mentioned. For example, you can list your language skills here. Voluntary work is also usually mentioned here. Finally, you can also briefly mention some of your hobbies , although this is a matter of taste.
General tips for your CV
For each station in your CV, you should state the length of time you spent there. It is best to state the first and last month of your time there (example: 04/2021 - 12/2023). It is also advisable to sort the various educational and professional experiences in your CV chronologically. There are two options for this sorting: Chronologically ascending or chronologically descending. If you sort in ascending order, start with the most recent experiences; if you sort in descending order, list the most recent stations first. Neither of these options is wrong. However, the more common option in Germany is probably chronologically descending order, where you start with the most recent experiences.
Some naturalization authorities require a handwritten CV to check whether you have a good command of written and spoken German. However, most of them also accept digitally created CVs. In these cases, we strongly advise you to create your CV digitally on a PC. This will allow you to benefit from tools such as spell check and grammar check. You can also make your CV more consistent.
Special features of the curriculum vitae for naturalization
So much for general CV tips - but what applies specifically to the CV you have to submit for your naturalization?
As explained above, this CV for naturalization should show, among other things, that you are integrated into German society. The focus is less on your professional achievements because you are not applying for a job in a company. Instead, it is all the more important that your CV shows what connects you to Germany. So be sure to list all the language courses or integration courses you have attended here. You should also list any voluntary work or involvement in associations, as well as any changes in your residence status (e.g. from EU Blue Card to settlement permit).
Even small details can be convincing. Did you have German lessons at school in your home country? List this on your CV too! The same applies to hobbies that you pursue in Germany: Team sports in particular are always welcome, as are traditional activities such as membership of the local carnival, traditional costume or shooting club.
In your CV for naturalization, it is also recommended that you always include the corresponding location for each stage of your educational and professional career. This will give the naturalization authority a clear picture of your various periods of residence at a glance. Of course, it is important that all information is correct. You should therefore check that your CV matches the other details on the application form.
Tabular vs. written CV
The various naturalization authorities in Germany have different requirements for CVs. A tabular CV written on a PC, which lists the individual stages of your life in bullet points , is often sufficient.
However, some naturalization authorities insist on a so-called written CV. For such a written CV, you must write a continuous text . Some authorities even require this continuous text to be written by hand. The structure is essentially the same as the tabular CV. Here too, you start with your personal details, then outline your educational background, your professional experience and finally provide further information that proves your successful integration.
In addition, in the written CV you are usually expected to say a few sentences about why you would like to obtain German citizenship. For example, you can say that you feel comfortable and at home in Germany because you have lived here for so long and have many friends here, perhaps even family. Apart from these classic phrases, it is particularly welcome if you can actually present individual reasons why you are seeking naturalization.
Unlike the tabular CV, you must write the written CV in complete sentences. Work with transitions to better illustrate content-related connections. To make it easier to understand, you will find examples of wording for a tabular and a written CV below:
Curriculum vitae in tabular form (excerpt)
Since 09/2023: Chief Digital Officer (Example & Co. KG)
01/2021 - 08/2023: Senior Web Developer (Muster AG)
01/2014 - 12/2020: Junior Web Developer (ABC GmbH)
Written curriculum vitae (excerpt)
I started my career in Germany in January 2014 at ABC GmbH, where I worked as a Junior Web Developer. To advance my career, I finally moved to Muster AG after seven years, where I worked as a Senior Web Developer up to and including August 2023. Since September 2023, I have held a position as Chief Digital Officer at Beispiel & Co. KG.
There's no doubt about it - writing out your CV for naturalization is tedious and time-consuming. Nevertheless, try to remain positive. The written CV gives you the opportunity to present yourself in detail and in a good light. Take advantage of this opportunity and try to make a positive impression on the naturalization authority!
Attention:
Common mistakes when writing a CV for naturalization
It can easily happen that you make a mistake when writing your CV for naturalization. We have compiled a checklist of the most common mistakes for you so that you can recognize and avoid them.
Structure:
- Curriculum vitae does not meet the requirements of the naturalization authority responsible for your application (tabular or written, digital or handwritten)
- No clearly recognizable structure (personal data - educational background - professional experience - other - reasons for naturalization application, if applicable)
Contents:
- Personal data is incomplete
- Unprofessional photo (If you only have an unprofessional photo of yourself, then don't attach one at all)
- Gaps in the chronological sequence that you do not explain
- Irrelevant or overly detailed information (concentrate on the essentials!)
- No indication of the location of the respective stations
- Resume contradicts the information you provide in the application form
- Too little concrete information about your integration efforts
- Linguistic inaccuracies or errors (have your CV checked by friends or lawyers)
- For written curriculum vitae: Section on the reasons behind your naturalization application is missing
Formalities:
- Different fonts or font sizes in the text
- Irregular indentation or line spacing
- Unprofessional appearance (too many colors, too extravagant design)
- For handwritten CV: Hard to read handwriting
- For written curriculum vitae: forget your signature
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.
