German Citizenship 2024: Citizenship Laws, Requirements & Application Process

One of the best places to live nowadays is Germany, thanks to its robust economy and exceptional standard of living. Some people want to reside in Germany and eventually become citizens as well. However, because of its intricate governmental system, becoming a citizen of Germany is not as simple as it may seem.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about German citizenship requirements if you’re interested in becoming a citizen.

German citizenship law

A new citizenship law was passed by the German Federal Government to make it easier and faster for foreign nationals living in the nation to become citizens. This law reduces the required residency requirement from eight to five years, among other significant improvements.

Additionally, if at least one parent has lived in Germany for five years, citizenship is granted to children born there.

German citizenship in 5 years

Germany intends to streamline the citizenship procedure by lowering the residency duration to five years and enabling applicants with exceptional integration accomplishments to apply after just three years. On January 19, the Bundestag gave its approval to these measures, approving a general norm that allows people to hold several nationalities in the future.

Although adherence to the democratic constitutional system was previously necessary, the amendment seeks to clarify this commitment by making it clear that some behaviors, such as “anti-Semitic, racist, or other inhuman acts,” are not consistent with these ideals.

The change adds new qualifying requirements that exclude those who are in polygamous marriages or who behave in a way that is against gender equality. Applicants for German citizenship must be able to provide for their families as well as themselves. Upholding the principles of equality and democracy, these steps aim to expedite and explain the naturalization procedure.

German citizenship in 3 years

Only after living in Germany for three years can an individual with exceptional accomplishments be granted German citizenship. The accomplishments could include noteworthy social contributions, professional and academic accomplishments, and achievements in both fields. Furthermore, they need to become highly proficient in German, at least at the C1 level. They must also be self-sufficient financially.

German citizenship requirements

One can become a citizen of Germany in several ways, such as by marriage, naturalization, birth, or descent. The specifics of the qualifications are listed below.

German citizenship by naturalization

Foreign nationals who have lawfully resided in Germany for eight years are qualified for naturalization under the existing legislation. When the new law takes effect, the residency time will be shortened to five years. To become a citizen by naturalization, you also need to meet the following requirements:

• Obtain the right to permanent residence upon naturalization.
• Give up their prior citizenship
• Having passed the naturalization test indicates that you have a solid understanding of the Federal Republic of Germany’s legal system, society, and living conditions.
• Independently wealthy
• Competent in both written and spoken German, meeting the requirements for level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• No convictions for crimes
• Adherence to the democratic and free-market ideals outlined in the constitution

German citizenship by birth

German nationality law has acknowledged the jus soli premise of birthplace-based citizenship acquisition since January 2001. But under the existing legislation, children of foreign parents are only eligible to become citizens of Germany if at least one of their parents had obtained permanent residency privileges at the time of the child’s birth and had been living in the country lawfully for at least eight years.

After the new law goes into effect, the parent’s residency term will be shortened to five years. German nationality will only be granted to German-born children born outside of Germany on or after January 1, 2000, provided that their parents notify the appropriate German mission overseas of the birth before the child’s first birthday.

German citizenship by descent

Only German parents can transfer German citizenship by descent to their offspring. When the kid is born, at least one of the parents must be a citizen of Germany. Children born outside of marriage to a German father and a foreign mother are only eligible to become German citizens if the father formally acknowledges his fatherhood following German law before the child turns 23. Furthermore, German citizenship cannot be inherited by children born to former German citizens.

German citizenship by marriage

By getting married to a German citizen, foreign nationals can also become citizens of Germany. They can only qualify, though, if they have been married for at least two years and have been lawfully residing in Germany for three years. They also need to meet the general prerequisites for naturalization.

German citizenship test

The purpose of the naturalization exam is to evaluate a candidate’s familiarity with German society, the legal system, and daily life. There are 33 multiple-choice questions in the test, three of which are exclusive to the German state in which the candidate resides.

The candidate needs to get 17 right answers out of a possible 20 to pass the test. On the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, you can practice by taking a sample test. The right answers will be shown.

Those who have finished a legal, social, political, or administrative science program in a German high school or higher education institution are exempt from taking the test. Workers who have made substantial contributions to the nation are also exempt from the test when the new law is in effect.

German citizenship fee

The cost of filing for naturalization is EUR 255. Each dependent minor kid who becomes a naturalized citizen with a parent is subject to a reduced fee of EUR 51.