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.
German citizenship offers numerous benefits that open up many opportunities both domestically and internationally. These include:
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!
German citizenship can be acquired in various ways. Section 3 of the German Citizenship Act (StAG) provides for the following options:
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.
According to Section 10 of the StAG, foreigners have a legal right to naturalization if they meet the following conditions:
Five years of habitual legal residence in Germany
Clarified identity and nationality
Commitment to the free and democratic basic order and rejection of unconstitutional and inhumane acts
Right of residence
Fundamentally financial independence, i.e. living expenses must be covered without social benefits
Sufficient knowledge of German (language level B 1)
No criminal convictions
Knowledge of the German legal and social system
As of June 27, 2024, the previous requirement to renounce existing citizenship no longer applies. This makes dual citizenship possible through naturalization.
Under certain conditions, the required length of stay can be shortened:
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).
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!
There are various paths to naturalization for foreign nationals, which can be facilitated or made on a discretionary basis depending on the individual situation.
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:
Three years of legal residence in Germany
Two years of marriage
German language skills at B1 level
No criminal convictions
Own apartment or accommodation
Financial independence, i.e. no dependence on social benefits
Commitment to the free and democratic basic order
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:
Five years of habitual legal residence in Germany
No criminal convictions
Proof of own apartment or accommodation
Independently securing one's livelihood without social benefits
The authority examines the extent to which the applicant is integrated into German society on an individual basis. Relevant aspects include:
German language skills and social participation
Commitment to the free and democratic basic order
Family members with German citizenship
In some cases, the minimum residence period of five years may be reduced. This applies to:
Former German citizens
Older applicants
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!
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.
If the B1 level is required, proof can be provided in the following ways:
Successful participation in an integration course
Certificate of B1 language level (e.g. Goethe Certificate, telc or TestDaF)
Four years of schooling at a German-speaking school
Completion of a secondary school (Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss or Abitur)
Completed German-language vocational training
Completed studies at a German-speaking university or university of applied sciences
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.
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.
Minimum age for an application: 16 years
Naturalization fee: €255 for adults, €51 for children naturalized jointly with their parents
Submission of the required documents
Depending on your individual situation, different documents must be submitted. These include:
Training and employment certificates
Income and tax certificates
Proof of sufficient German language skills (B1 or higher)
Naturalization test
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).
Examination of the application by the authority
The competent authority checks the requirements and documents and makes internal inquiries to the following additional authorities:
employment agency
Social Welfare Office
Federal Office of Justice
State Criminal Police Office
Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Decision on naturalization
If all requirements are met and all necessary evidence is provided, the naturalization application will be approved.
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.
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:
Individual assessment of your requirements
We analyze your situation and check whether you meet the requirements for naturalization.
Compilation and certification of all required documents
We will support you in compiling your documents correctly.
We ensure that your documents are certified and complete to avoid delays in the process.
Application and communication with authorities
We will handle the entire application process for you and submit all documents to the relevant naturalization authority on time.
We also maintain communication with offices and authorities to speed up the process and quickly resolve any additional claims.
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:
Objection or appeal against a rejection
Action for failure to act if processing takes an unreasonable amount of time
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.
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