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SZ-Legal - Legal advice for private individuals and companies worldwide
Lawyer naturalization from within Cologne
Services in migration law
German citizenship through naturalization – your lawyer for migration law
Germany is one of the most attractive immigration countries in the world, offering excellent opportunities for employment, starting a family, and personal development. The current reform of nationality law will facilitate access to German citizenship, meaning that millions of people could qualify for naturalization in the coming years.
As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I will professionally guide you on your path to naturalization in Germany. We will support you in all legal and administrative steps to ensure the application is efficient and successful.
Whether you are applying for German citizenship, retaining dual citizenship, or seeking information about the latest changes to nationality law, I am at your side as an experienced immigration lawyer.
Advantages of German citizenship
German citizenship offers numerous benefits that open up many opportunities both domestically and internationally. These include:
- Unrestricted freedom of movement in Germany with free choice of residence and place of stay
- EU freedom of movement with the possibility to work and live in any member state
- Active and passive voting rights in local, state, federal and European elections
- Free choice of profession, including access to civil service careers
- Visa-free travel to many countries within and outside Europe
- Facilitated family reunification and faster naturalization of close relatives
- Better access to social benefits
As a specialist lawyer for immigration law, I can support you with your naturalization application so that you can benefit from these advantages quickly and easily. Schedule a consultation now!
Acquiring German citizenship – requirements and options
German citizenship can be acquired in various ways. Section 3 of the German Citizenship Act (StAG) provides for the following options:
- Birth (principle of descent or place of birth)
- Explanation
- Adoption as a child
- Issuance of a certificate according to Section 15 Paragraph 1, 2 of the Federal Expellees Act
- naturalization
Naturalization is therefore only one of several options for obtaining German citizenship.
As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I will advise you comprehensively on the requirements and support you in the application process.
Right to naturalization – requirements according to Section 10 StAG
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According to Section 10 of the StAG, foreigners have a legal right to naturalization if they meet the following conditions:
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Five years of habitual legal residence in Germany
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Clarified identity and nationality
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Commitment to the free and democratic basic order and rejection of unconstitutional and inhumane acts
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Right of residence
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Fundamentally financial independence, i.e. living expenses must be covered without social benefits
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Sufficient knowledge of German (language level B 1)
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No criminal convictions
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Knowledge of the German legal and social system
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As of June 27, 2024, the previous requirement to renounce existing citizenship no longer applies. This makes dual citizenship possible through naturalization.
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Under certain conditions, the required length of stay can be shortened:
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Naturalization after three years is possible if an integration course has been successfully completed or language skills at C1 level can be proven (Section 10 (3) StAG).
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Spouses and minor children can also be naturalized, even if they have not yet been legally residing in Germany for five years.
As an immigration lawyer, I will assess your individual prospects of success and professionally guide you through the entire naturalization process. Schedule a consultation now!
Naturalization in Germany – Requirements
There are various paths to naturalization for foreign nationals, which can be facilitated or made on a discretionary basis depending on the individual situation.
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Naturalization for spouses and life partners of German citizens
According to Section 9 of the StAG, spouses and life partners of German citizens have the opportunity to apply for accelerated naturalization.
Requirements:
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Three years of legal residence in Germany
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Two years of marriage
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German language skills at B1 level
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No criminal convictions
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Own apartment or accommodation
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Financial independence, i.e. no dependence on social benefits
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Commitment to the free and democratic basic order
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Naturalization at the discretion of the authority
Those who do not have a legal right to naturalization under Section 10 of the Nationality Act (StAG) may still be naturalized under certain conditions. The decision is at the discretion of the competent authority under Section 8 of the StAG.
Requirements for discretionary naturalization:
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Five years of habitual legal residence in Germany
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No criminal convictions
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Proof of own apartment or accommodation
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Independently securing one's livelihood without social benefits
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The authority examines the extent to which the applicant is integrated into German society on an individual basis. Relevant aspects include:
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German language skills and social participation
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Commitment to the free and democratic basic order
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Family members with German citizenship
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In some cases, the minimum residence period of five years may be reduced. This applies to:
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Former German citizens
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Older applicants
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Persons of importance to society as a whole, particularly in the fields of science, research, business, art, culture, media, sport or public service
As an immigration lawyer, I will assess your individual prospects for success and professionally guide you through the entire naturalization process. Schedule a consultation now!
Proof of German language skills for naturalization
Language skills are a key component of integration and naturalization in Germany. Depending on the individual situation, the required proof may be limited to oral language skills. A hardship clause allows for an exemption from the B1 language certificate if acquiring language skills is permanently difficult or impossible despite serious and sustained efforts.
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If the B1 level is required, proof can be provided in the following ways:
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Successful participation in an integration course
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Certificate of B1 language level (e.g. Goethe Certificate, telc or TestDaF)
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Four years of schooling at a German-speaking school
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Completion of a secondary school (Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss or Abitur)
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Completed German-language vocational training
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Completed studies at a German-speaking university or university of applied sciences
I will check whether you meet the language requirements for naturalization and support you in the application process.
Naturalization application and procedure – How naturalization works
The application for naturalization involves several steps, from initial consultation to the final decision by the authorities. Here you can learn how the naturalization process works and what requirements must be met.
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Consultation and application
Before submitting your application, you'll often have a personal consultation with the responsible naturalization authority. If you submit your application with me, you can usually skip this appointment.
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Minimum age for an application: 16 years
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Naturalization fee: €255 for adults, €51 for children naturalized jointly with their parents
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Submission of the required documents
Depending on your individual situation, different documents must be submitted. These include:
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Training and employment certificates
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Income and tax certificates
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Proof of sufficient German language skills (B1 or higher)
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Naturalization test
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For naturalization, a naturalization test is required, which can be taken at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) or the adult education center (VHS).
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Examination of the application by the authority
The competent authority checks the requirements and documents and makes internal inquiries to the following additional authorities:
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employment agency
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Social Welfare Office
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Federal Office of Justice
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State Criminal Police Office
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Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Decision on naturalization
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If all requirements are met and all necessary evidence is provided, the naturalization application will be approved.
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You will then receive the naturalization certificate, which officially makes you a German citizen.
As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I will examine your eligibility and support you in submitting your application.
Make an inquiry now
We will be happy to advise you comprehensively and personally on your concerns.
Naturalization in Germany – As a specialist lawyer for migration law, I can support you!
Are you considering applying for German citizenship? The naturalization process can be complex and time-consuming. As an immigration lawyer, I will guide you through every step with legal certainty and efficiency to maximize your chances of successful naturalization.
A flawless application is crucial to avoid delays or rejections. We offer tailored advice and guide you through the entire process:
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Individual assessment of your requirements
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We analyze your situation and check whether you meet the requirements for naturalization.
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Compilation and certification of all required documents
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We will support you in compiling your documents correctly.
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We ensure that your documents are certified and complete to avoid delays in the process.
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Application and communication with authorities
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We will handle the entire application process for you and submit all documents to the relevant naturalization authority on time.
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We also maintain communication with offices and authorities to speed up the process and quickly resolve any additional claims.
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If your application takes an unreasonable amount of time to process or is rejected, we will review your legal options. We can help you with:
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Objection or appeal against a rejection
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Action for failure to act if processing takes an unreasonable amount of time
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Submission of additional documents to strengthen the application
As a lawyer specializing in naturalization law, I will guide you from the initial assessment to successful naturalization. Avoid mistakes and delays – get advice now! Contact me for an initial consultation!
Naturalization in Germany usually requires five years of residence, B1 German language skills, financial independence, no criminal record, and a commitment to the basic democratic order. Under certain conditions, naturalization is possible after three years.
The processing time for a naturalization application is typically one to two years. However, due to changes in citizenship law, longer waiting times may occur. Our law firm ensures a thorough and error-free application to avoid delays.
Naturalization generally requires financial independence. Exceptions apply to individuals who have worked full-time for at least 20 months in the last 24 months, spouses of employed persons with children, and former guest or contract workers receiving special social benefits.
Dual citizenship has generally been permitted in Germany since June 27, 2024. However, some countries, such as China, Austria, and the Netherlands, revoke the previous citizenship upon acquiring a new one. As an immigration lawyer, I would be happy to advise you on this matter.
Yes, applicants must generally provide proof of their German language skills at B1 level, for example, through a language test, an integration course, a school leaving certificate, vocational training, or studies in Germany. An exception to the language requirement can only be granted in extremely difficult cases.
The naturalization fees are €255 for adults and €51 for children who are naturalized jointly with their parents. Additional fees may apply for language tests, translations, and certifications.
Yes, in most cases, applicants must pass a naturalization test. This consists of 33 questions on German history, culture, politics, and the legal system. The test is not required if the applicant has a German high school diploma.
Yes. Common reasons for rejection include missing documents, failure to meet financial requirements, criminal records, or a lack of German language skills. As an immigration lawyer, I can support you in your application and help you file an appeal or appeal against a rejection.
The naturalization application must be submitted to the responsible naturalization authority in the place of residence. Depending on the federal state, processing is handled by the state authorities or—in the case of applications from abroad—by the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) in Cologne.
If your family already lives with you in Germany, they can usually apply for German citizenship at the same time. However, this must be examined on a case-by-case basis. Please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a legal consultation.
