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Individuals interested in moving to Germany can obtain citizenship through birth, adoption, ethnic descent, marriage or naturalisation. The last two options require prior residency in the country for between three and five years. The choice of a basis for legalisation should be made based on individual circumstances, financial standing and future plans. Among the requirements for applicants seeking a passport that grants visa-free travel to over 190 destinations are EU residency, proficiency in German at a B1 level and a clean criminal record.
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German citizenship benefits
Obtaining German citizenship is a pressing matter for foreigners looking to relocate with their families to a European country known for its high standard of living, moderate climate and picturesque landscapes. It also provides access to visa-free travel worldwide, favourable conditions for investment and business, high-quality education and healthcare and the right to long-term residence anywhere within the EU.
Germany boasts the largest economy in Europe, supported by a developed financial sector, a highly skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure and advanced resources for research and development. It is also one of the global leaders in inbound and outbound foreign direct investment and exports. The automotive, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering industries form the backbone of the local economy.
Holders of a German passport gain access to numerous benefits, including the following:
| The Right to Relocate | Germany offers a high quality of life, developed infrastructure, and top-tier education and healthcare systems. Foreigners with citizenship can live in the country without restrictions. |
| Access to the European Healthcare System | Insurance costs range from 7.3 percent to 15.6 percent of a salary and cover doctor visits, tests, surgeries and some medications. |
| Free Education | Citizens have access to free primary and secondary education. Undergraduate programs are tuition-free, with semester fees ranging from EUR 70 to EUR 450. Germany hosts some of the world’s leading universities. |
| Unrestricted Travel | A German passport allows visa-free travel to over 190 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. |
| Right to Long-term Residence Anywhere in the EU | Citizens can live in any EU country without needing a residence permit. For stays longer than three months, only registration is required. |
Obtaining German citizenship
| Basis for Citizenship | Required Length of Residence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation | Five years | Three years with accelerated integration |
| Marriage | Three or four years | Marriage duration must be at least two years |
| Ethnic Descent | Not specified | Supporting documents are required |
| Birth and Adoption | Not specified; citizenship granted automatically | Depends on the date of adoption |
For descendants of ethnic Germans
Under the principle of "jus sanguinis" or "right of blood," a foreigner can become a citizen if at least one of their parents held German citizenship. To obtain German citizenship through ancestry, individuals must answer the following questions:
- Which of the applicant’s ancestors held German citizenship?
- What laws were in effect at the time of the ancestor’s birth?
For instance, suppose a person’s grandparents (who are German) emigrated from Germany, where their mother was born. In this case, the mother would have acquired German citizenship and passed it to her child. Thus, even if a person was born and raised in another country, they may still qualify for a German passport.
To apply for citizenship restoration through heritage, a foreigner must:
- Provide their birth certificate and/or ancestral birth certificates.
- Submit any other supporting documents, such as old German passports of ancestors.
- Prove that they have not lost their citizenship if they had it previously.
- Confirm they are not a German child born abroad after December 31, 1999.
- Provide a clean criminal record.
- Complete the forms required by the Federal Office of Administration.
Supporting documents play a crucial role in this process. Properly prepared evidence of family connections can speed up the procedure.
If an applicant’s ancestors lost their citizenship, they may be able to regain it under new laws enacted in August 2021. These laws apply to anyone who lost citizenship or was denied it due to persecution or gender discrimination. For example, many Jewish Germans had to give up their citizenship when fleeing the Nazi regime during World War II. Similarly, children often could not claim their right to citizenship due to gender-discriminatory laws that were in place at their birth.
German citizenship by naturalization
Previously, foreigners seeking citizenship through naturalization had to live in the country for eight years with either a temporary or permanent German Resident Card. Today, this period has been reduced to five years or even three in exceptional cases. This option is available to individuals who uphold Germany's democratic principles, know the German language, understand the legal and social systems, and own or rent property in Germany, indicating integration into society.
Applicants may include their spouse and minor children in their application, and their family members are not required to meet the residency conditions.
By birth
Germany follows the principle of "jus soli" or "right of the soil," meaning that any person born on German territory automatically receives citizenship if they meet the following conditions:
- The individual was born on or after January 1, 2000.
- One parent has legally resided in Germany for at least five years and holds a valid permanent residence permit.
If neither parent has fulfilled the five-year residence requirement, the child will receive the same status as their parents. Once a parent gains citizenship, the child will, too.
If the parents are unmarried but the father meets the requirements, he must acknowledge paternity for the child to receive citizenship. If the father refuses, the mother or another interested party can file a court application to establish paternity.
Children born to parents without official status in Germany may acquire citizenship if they meet the following conditions:
- Birth on German territory or, in specific cases, abroad on a German airplane or ship.
- Legal residence in Germany for five years.
- Submission of a naturalization application before reaching 21 years of age.
- Absence of a criminal record resulting in a prison sentence of five years or more.
Children born in Germany to at least one German parent automatically acquire citizenship by descent, regardless of residency conditions.
Through marriage
German citizenship by marriage is another form of naturalization with less stringent requirements. Before 1970, foreigners could receive a passport immediately after marrying a German citizen, but additional conditions now apply, such as:
- Residing in Germany for three years (or four if the partner is a naturalized German).
- Financial independence.
- German language proficiency.
- Basic knowledge of the legal and social systems.
- Willingness to integrate into society and abide by the Basic Law.
- Clean criminal record for serious offenses.
Applicants must be married to a German citizen for at least two years. The union must be legally recognized in the country to be considered valid. A marriage certificate and a valid residence permit are required for the application.
In case of divorce, foreigners can generally retain their status; however, this depends on several factors, including the length of the marriage after obtaining citizenship. Those in this situation should seek legal counsel to understand possible outcomes and necessary actions.
Through adoption
Foreigners adopted by German citizens acquire citizenship if the adoption process is legally recognized in Germany. Different rules apply based on when the adoption took place:
| Adoption Date | Eligibility for Citizenship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Before January 1, 1959 | Not eligible | Even if both parents were German citizens at the time |
| Between January 1, 1959, and December 12, 1976 | Not eligible | Application could have been filed before December 12, 1979 |
| On or after January 1, 1979 | Automatically acquires citizenship | — |
Properties for sale in Germany
German citizenship requirements
To acquire, a foreign national must meet several key requirements for German citizenship:
- Residency rights in the country: At the time of application, the applicant must hold a valid residence permit in Germany or another EU country.
- Five years of residence: Under the new regulations that took effect on June 27, 2024, individuals may apply for citizenship after living in Germany for five years. This period can be reduced to three years for well-integrated foreigners, such as those with advanced German language skills or those actively volunteering for nonprofit organizations. The period may also be shortened for children under 16 and spouses who have been married for at least two years.
- Financial stability: Applicants must demonstrate financial independence and the ability to support themselves and their families. Individuals receiving unemployment benefits (Level II) are generally ineligible. However, exceptions may be made for those who lost their job through no fault of their own, such as due to company layoffs.
- German language proficiency: Fluency in German is not required, but applicants must reach at least B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Language skills can be demonstrated through a certificate from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, a German language exam certificate, or an equivalent diploma (or a higher language proficiency level). Other acceptable documents include a German secondary school certificate or a diploma from a German-speaking university, proof of German-speaking professional training, or attendance in a German-speaking school for at least four years. If none of these documents are available, the authorities may request a language test or course completion. Applicants with disabilities, illnesses, or other circumstances preventing them from learning the language may be exempted from this requirement.
- Integration into German society: Applicants must show a clear understanding of the country’s social, cultural, and political systems. This may involve providing a certificate of completion for a related test. Foreigners may also be asked questions about the legal system, culture, and history of Germany. Exemptions from this requirement are available for those who graduated from a German secondary school or who have disabilities or other circumstances hindering learning.
- Clean criminal record: Applicants must have no criminal convictions. Minor disciplinary or corrective measures, as per the Juvenile Court Act, fines of up to 90 daily rates, and imprisonment of up to three months are generally disregarded.
- Compliance with laws: Candidates must agree to uphold the principles enshrined in the Basic Law, which protects key democratic values like human rights and fair elections. If applicants have previously held beliefs or engaged in activities threatening these principles, they must demonstrate that they have since abandoned such ideas.
List of documents for German citizenship
The required documents vary depending on the chosen basis for citizenship. A standard set typically includes:
- Proof of identity.
- A valid residence permit in Germany.
- Proof of current address.
- Evidence of the applicant’s financial independence.
- Certificates proving knowledge of German laws, culture, and language.
Reasons for denial of German citizenship
- Failure to meet residency requirements
If a foreigner holding a German residency card cannot prove they have lived in the country for the required period, their application will be rejected.
- Insufficient integration
Poor knowledge of the German language, history or culture may also result in denial. Applicants must demonstrate successful integration into the local community.
- Legal issues
A clean legal record is crucial. Convictions, administrative offences or participation in illegal activities (such as tax evasion) can pose significant obstacles. Even if the penalty was conditional or the statute of limitations has expired, the application may be denied or postponed pending the completion of investigations.
- Economic instability
Applicants must be able to support themselves and their families independently. Dependence on social assistance, debts or the absence of a stable income can lead to rejection.
- False information or errors in the application
Applicants are required to provide accurate and complete information. Concealing facts or submitting false documents (e.g., regarding income or marital status) constitutes grounds for rejection.
- Threats to national security
If the applicant is suspected of ties to extremist organizations, involvement in terrorist activities or poses a threat to national security, their application will be denied.
- Lack of commitment to democratic principles
Germany expects new citizens to uphold democratic values and respect human rights. Support for anti-democratic ideologies is also grounds for denial.
If an application is rejected, the applicant will receive an official document explaining the reasons. This allows them to understand what needs to be addressed. Consulting a lawyer specialising in immigration law is recommended. A legal expert can assess the chances of a successful appeal or guide the applicant on how to correct the areas where they fall short for resubmission.
Submitting an appeal is an option if the applicant believes the rejection is unjustified. They will need to prepare evidence and submit it to an administrative court. If the rejection is due to correctable issues such as insufficient language skills or financial instability, the applicant should focus on addressing these shortcomings before reapplying.
Reasons for revocation
Citizenship may be revoked in the following cases:
- Obtaining another country’s passport: If a German citizen applies for citizenship in another country, their German citizenship will be revoked. To prevent this, they must obtain permission beforehand. A retention document will be issued only if the other country’s laws permit multiple citizenships.
- Service in a foreign military: Individuals who voluntarily join a foreign military may lose their German citizenship. This can be avoided by obtaining permission from the German Ministry of Defense. Mandatory or voluntary service in the military of another European country is not grounds for revocation.
- Adoption by a foreign citizen: Adoption by a foreign citizen may also result in the revocation of German citizenship.
Timeline for getting German citizenship
To qualify for naturalization, a foreign national must have resided in Germany for three to five years with resident status. Processing the application at the immigration office typically takes at least 18 months, during which time applicants may be asked to provide additional documents.
Is it allowed to have German dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship is permitted in Germany in the following cases:
- Individuals who acquired citizenship through naturalization may retain both citizenships if renouncing the original would result in hardship (financial or otherwise).
- Individuals born abroad with a German ancestor may retain dual citizenship after living in Germany for five years.
- German citizens living abroad may obtain a second passport by applying for the appropriate permit in Germany.
FAQ
The cost of obtaining German citizenship depends on the applicant’s original citizenship, the basis for the application and other factors.
Applicants must provide documents confirming their identity, proof of current residence, evidence of financial independence and certificates demonstrating knowledge of the German language and culture.
The review process usually takes at least 18 months.
No, investments in the economy, securities, businesses or houses in Germany do not qualify as a basis for obtaining citizenship.
Yes, children and spouses of citizens are also eligible to apply for citizenship.
Obtaining a passport in Germany is possible through naturalization, birth within the country, adoption by a citizen, marriage, or German ancestry.
To acquire citizenship through naturalization, residence in the country for three to five years is required.
The standard document package includes identification, residence permits, and proof of financial independence.
Yes, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the official language.
B1 proficiency is the minimum required.
Dual citizenship is permitted for those who acquired citizenship through naturalization or descent, as well as individuals with special government authorization.
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