German Citizenship (Einbürgerung): Complete Guide for Expats (2026)

Germany changed the rules on citizenship in 2024, and the change is significant. For the first time in modern German history, you are allowed to keep your original nationality when becoming a German citizen. Completing a certified German integration course satisfies the B1 language requirement and fast-tracks your citizenship timeline. If you have been putting off applying because you did not want to give up your passport, that barrier is now gone. Applying for a passport involves interacting with several local authorities, which are key German government offices for immigration. Here is everything you need to know about getting German citizenship in 2026.

The Big Change: Dual Citizenship Now Allowed

Before June 2024, Germany required most applicants to give up their original nationality as a condition of naturalisation. Only a narrow set of exceptions applied, EU citizens, people from countries that make renunciation practically impossible, and a few others.

Since the Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz reform of June 2024, Germany now allows multiple citizenship for all naturalisations. You can become a German citizen while keeping your Indian, Nigerian, American, British, or any other passport. This is the most significant change to German citizenship law in decades.

Who Can Apply for German Citizenship?

To be eligible for naturalisation (Einbürgerung), you generally need to meet all of the following criteria:

Standard Track (5 Years)

• Legal residence in Germany for at least 5 years with a residence permit (Blue Card, work permit, settlement permit, etc.)
• Hold a valid, unlimited or long-term residence permit (not a student visa)
• Financial self-sufficiency: you must be able to support yourself without relying on Bürgergeld (social welfare) or Sozialhilfe. There are exceptions for circumstances beyond your control. (Many expats on the path to citizenship first arrived on a student or job seeker visa, which required a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — our comparison of Coracle, Fintiba and Expatrio explains how it works.)
• No serious criminal convictions
• German language proficiency at B1 level or higher (certified by an official language test or equivalent)
• Pass the Einbürgerungstest, a 33-question civics test (you need 17 correct to pass)
• Commitment to the German constitution and democratic values

Spouse of a German Citizen (3 Years)

The only remaining 3-year route is for spouses or registered civil partners of German citizens, provided you have been married for at least 2 years and have lived legally in Germany for 3 years. The broader “special contributions” fast-track was abolished in 2024, the minimum for all other applicants is 5 years.

Children Born in Germany

Children born in Germany to foreign parents automatically receive German citizenship at birth if at least one parent has been legally resident in Germany for at least 5 years. This rule was also strengthened in the 2024 reform.

German Language Requirement

You need to demonstrate German at B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Acceptable proof includes:

• A recognised language certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD Zertifikat B1
• A German school leaving certificate or degree from a German-language university
• Completion of a BAMF integration course (final exam counts as B1 proof)

If you have been living and working in Germany for years, you may be able to demonstrate your German skills through a personal interview rather than a formal test, the authority has some discretion here.

The Einbürgerungstest

The citizenship test consists of 33 multiple-choice questions covering German history, the political system, society, and culture. The test is offered by the BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) at authorised test centres across Germany.

• Cost: €25
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pass mark: 17 out of 33 correct answers
• The full catalogue of 310 practice questions is publicly available: most people study for 2-4 weeks and pass comfortably

You can take the test at any point, you do not need to apply for citizenship first. Getting your test certificate early is a practical first step.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Check your eligibility: confirm your years of residence and gather your documents
2. Pass the Einbürgerungstest if you have not already, book at bamf.de
3. Obtain your B1 language certificate if you do not already have one
4. Contact your local Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation authority), usually part of the Ausländerbehörde or Bürgeramt. Book an appointment online.
5. Submit your application with all documents
6. Attend your appointment: they may conduct a short interview in German
7. Wait for the decision: processing takes 12-24 months in most cities, sometimes longer in Berlin and Munich
8. Attend the naturalisation ceremony and receive your Einbürgerungsurkunde (naturalisation certificate)
9. Apply for your German passport at the Bürgeramt, takes 3-6 weeks

Documents You Will Need

• Valid foreign passport
• Current residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
• Proof of residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung)
• Proof of language proficiency (B1 certificate or equivalent)
• Einbürgerungstest certificate
• Proof of income: payslips, employment contract, or tax assessment (Einkommensteuerbescheid)
• Employment confirmation from your employer
• Birth certificate (with certified translation if not in German)
• If married: marriage certificate
• Rental agreement (Mietvertrag)
• No criminal record certificate from your home country

Document requirements vary slightly by state, always confirm the exact list with your local Einbürgerungsbehörde.

Costs

Total realistic cost: €500-700 for most applicants, plus any document preparation and translation costs.

How Long Does It Take?

Processing times vary enormously by city. In 2026:

• Smaller cities and rural areas: 6-12 months
• Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg: 12-18 months
• Berlin, Munich: 18-30 months (significant backlog)

The 2024 reform introduced a legal deadline, authorities are supposed to decide within 24 months. In practice, delays are common. Submit your application as early as you are eligible and follow up regularly.

Check Your Eligibility: 2026 Interactive Calculator

Not sure if you qualify? Use the calculator below to check your eligibility in under 2 minutes, based on the updated 2024 StARModG citizenship law reforms.

* Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are marked with (*). If you sign up or purchase via these links, Expatzentrum may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the site free. We only recommend services we have researched and consider genuinely useful for expats.

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