Residence

Naturalisation (German citizenship)

Foreign nationals with long-term lawful residence can apply for German citizenship at the naturalisation authority of their place of residence.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

Naturalization (Einbürgerung) is the process of becoming a German citizen. If you live permanently in Germany and meet the legal requirements, you can apply for it. The exact procedure and waiting times can differ by city, and some cities offer online services or local support 1 2 4 5 6 7.

Who needs this

This applies if you do not yet have German nationality but live permanently in Germany and want to become a German citizen 1 2.
You can usually apply yourself from age 16. For children and young people under 16, the parents must apply 1 2.
A naturalization claim usually exists if you have lived in Germany for at least five years, have clarified identity and nationality, have a permanent or long-term right of residence, can support yourself and your dependent family members, have no criminal conviction, have sufficient German language skills at level B1, and can prove knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany, usually through the naturalization test 1 2.
For spouses, registered partners, and minor children, co-naturalization is possible if the main applicant meets the residence-time requirements 6.

Step by step

Find the responsible naturalization authority. You can ask the Ausländerbehörde, the city or district administration, the youth migration services (JMD), or the migration counselling service for adult immigrants (MBE) 1 2.
If possible, have a consultation before submitting the application 1.
Submit the application to the responsible naturalization authority; in some cities this is possible online, in others by mail or through a local portal 1 4 6 7.
If you need to prove civic knowledge, you can usually do this with the naturalization test or an accepted school certificate 1 2 7.
If your authority requests more documents, submit them promptly 4 6 7.

Documents

Valid passport or ID card 3 7
Proof of legal residence, such as a valid residence permit; Berlin specifically mentions that a Fiktionsbescheinigung is not enough 3 5 7
Birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, custody decisions, and school certificates 3 5 7
Proof of German skills, such as a B1 certificate, a German school certificate, a German vocational qualification, or other accepted educational proofs 1 3 5 6 7
Proof of income and living situation, depending on your status, such as employment records, payslips, tax documents, pension documents, benefit notices, rent documents, or ownership documents 3 5 7
If your documents are foreign-language documents, some cities require translations by a certified or authorized translator; Köln also states that translations must be attached to the copy of the original and sealed 5 7

Cost and time

The fee is 255 euro per adult person 1 2 5 6 7.
Minor children who are naturalized together with their parents usually pay 51 euro 1 2 5 6 7.
In some cases, the fee can be reduced or paid in installments 1 2.
München says processing takes 18 months and longer; Stuttgart says at least 21 months 6 7.
Köln says the current waiting time for an appointment is about 12 months and that they usually contact applicants about 5 months before a free appointment 5.

Deadlines

The BAMF currently evaluates “Life in Germany” and naturalization test results up to test date 09.07.2026 1.
For the naturalization test, bring a valid photo ID on the day of the test 1.
If you apply online in Berlin, the fee must be paid before sending the application 3.

City by city

Hamburg: the city offers a digital naturalization application, a Quick-Check, a service portal for questions and document submission, and Einbürgerungslotsen for support 4.
Köln: the city gives a current waiting time of about 12 months for an appointment and prefers card payment over cash 5.
München: the city requires a BundID or BayernID for the online application and says it can contact applicants directly if an in-person visit is needed 6.
Stuttgart: the city accepts postal submission when no personal appointment is required and lists its contact options by phone and email 7.