German Naturalization
Germany
Citizenship
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See if you're a match →German citizenship by naturalization is for people who have lived legally in Germany for more than five years and meet the residence-status, self-support, German-language, civic-knowledge, character, and constitutional-commitment requirements. Germany's 2024 reform generally allows dual citizenship.
- Type
- Naturalization
- Residence
- More than five years legal residence
- Core requirements
- Status, self-support, B1 German, civic test, character
- What to know
- Germany generally permits dual citizenship after the 2024 reform
Summary
German Citizenship by Naturalization is the ordinary citizenship route for people who have built long-term legal residence in Germany. Germany's 2024 citizenship reform shortened the standard residence period and generally allows dual citizenship.
The ordinary route generally requires:
- Legal residence in Germany for more than five years
- A permanent right of residence or a residence permit that can lead to permanent residence
- Ability to support yourself and dependent family members without SGB II or SGB XII benefits
- German language knowledge at B1 or accepted German school, vocational, or university proof
- Naturalization test or Life in Germany test, unless an exemption applies
- No serious criminal issues
- Commitment to Germany's constitutional order and related declarations
Eligibility
- Not already a German citizen
- More than five years of legal residence in Germany
- Qualifying residence status
- Financial self-support
- B1 German or accepted substitute proof
- Civic-knowledge test or accepted exemption
- Character and constitutional-commitment requirements
What This Pathway Allows
If approved, naturalization gives full German citizenship. Germany now generally allows applicants to keep another citizenship, including US citizenship, subject to the other country's own law.
What This Pathway Is Not
This is not citizenship by descent, restoration, or declaration. If your connection is through a German parent or ancestor, compare German citizenship by descent, Article 116(2) restoration, Section 5 declaration, Section 6 adoption, and Section 15 restoration.
Next Steps
- Confirm your German residence status can support naturalization.
- Count the legal residence period and identify any breaks.
- Prepare language and civic-knowledge proof.
- Confirm financial self-support and tax/social records.
- Collect identity, residence, civil-status, and background documents.
- Apply with the competent naturalization authority.