The most important facts for 2026 at a glance
- As a rule 5 years of lawful residence (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). The turbo naturalization after 3 years has not existed since 30.10.2025
- German at level B1 and a passed naturalization test, with exceptions (§ 10 Abs. 4 to 6 StAG) – proof and documents
- Fee of 255 € per person, 51 € for a co-naturalized minor child without own income (§ 38 Abs. 2 StAG) – costs of naturalization
- Since 27.06.2024 you no longer have to give up your previous nationality for naturalization – dual citizenship
- Processing time: in almost all surveyed major cities over 1 year (Mediendienst Integration, 02.06.2026) – duration of naturalization
- No decision? An action for failure to act in naturalization is as a rule possible at the earliest 3 months after the application (§ 75 VwGO)
Before the application
Before you apply for naturalization, clarify two questions: Do you meet the requirements? And which documents does your authority require? These guides help with the preparation, from the CV to the fee.
Requirements for naturalization
Duration of residence, German B1, naturalization test, livelihood: the conditions at a glance.
Which proofs authorities require, what is added depending on your situation and what applies to translations – with a checklist to print.
Tabular or handwritten? What ten authorities require, what belongs in the CV – with a template to print.
255 € per person, 51 € per co-naturalized child without own income, 25 € test: what naturalization costs, when you pay and what a lawyer costs.
After the application
After the application, many people wait a long time for a decision. Here you can read what waiting times to expect and from when an action for failure to act is possible.
Action for failure to act in naturalization
The authority is not deciding? From when an action under § 75 VwGO is possible, what it costs and how to proceed – with a time-limit calculator.
No statutory deadline: processing times from Neuss, Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin with sources, the course of the procedure and what is possible after 3 months.
Legal changes
Since 27 June 2024 you no longer have to give up your previous nationality for naturalization (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 104). Since 30 October 2025 there is no more turbo naturalization, i.e. no naturalization already after three years for special integration achievements (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256).
Naturalization without giving up the old nationality: what Germany has allowed since 27.06.2024, what your country of origin regulates and what applies to children.
Turbo naturalization abolished
Turbo naturalization after 3 years has not existed since 30.10.2025. What applies to pending applications, spouses of Germans and the 5-year rule.
How does naturalization in Germany work?
In simplified terms, naturalization runs in five steps: you check the requirements, compile the documents and submit the application to the competent naturalization authority. The authority then examines your application. The naturalization becomes effective only when the authority hands you the naturalization certificate (§ 16 StAG).
- Check the requirements. These include, among others, 5 years of lawful residence, a suitable residence permit, German at level B1 and the naturalization test. In addition, you must as a rule be able to secure your livelihood and that of your family without basic security benefits (formerly Bürgergeld) or social assistance (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). Overview: requirements for naturalization.
- Compile the documents. Which documents you need exactly can differ from authority to authority. Help is offered by the checklist for the naturalization documents and the guide on the CV for naturalization.
- Submit the application to the authority. Which naturalization authority is competent you can find out, for example, at your city or district administration. The fee is as a rule 255 € per person (§ 38 StAG). More on this: costs of naturalization.
- Examination by the authority. If you are 16 years or older, the authority also enquires with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (§ 37 StAG). Waiting times are explained by the guide on the duration of naturalization.
- Receive the naturalization certificate. If you are 16 years or older, you first solemnly declare that you will respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and refrain from anything that could harm it. With the handing over of the certificate the naturalization becomes effective (§ 16 StAG).
How does the naturalization check help?
The naturalization check is a short questionnaire with 9 questions, for example on residence, residence permit, language proof and livelihood. Afterwards you receive a first legal assessment of whether the requirements for naturalization could be met in your case. The check is free and without obligation.
A lawyer reads your information personally; there is no automatic answer. We will get back to you on working days. Whether you then instruct us is your decision. The specific remuneration depends on the scope and difficulty of your case and is agreed in writing before the mandate begins.
Where are you on the path to naturalization?
The 9 questions are answered in about five minutes, mostly with one click per question. Afterwards a lawyer assesses your starting situation.
Free and without obligation. A lawyer looks at your information personally.
How do our guides come about?
Our guides are based on laws, court decisions, information from authorities and published surveys. Each guide names its sources at the end; on this overview they are directly in the text. The date at the top of each page shows the status of the text. Laws and the practice of authorities can change afterwards.
- No promises: We do not promise any outcome or processing time. Your application is decided by the naturalization authority.
- Found an error? Write to us at info@meindeutscherpass.de.
Frequently asked questions
When can I be naturalized in Germany?
As a rule, if you have been living lawfully in Germany for 5 years and meet further requirements (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). These include, for example, a suitable residence permit, German at level B1, the naturalization test and a secured livelihood. For spouses and registered partners of Germans, as a rule 3 years of residence apply, if the marriage or civil partnership has existed for 2 years; the other requirements also apply to them (§ 9 StAG). The turbo naturalization after 3 years has been abolished since 30.10.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256). Overview: requirements for naturalization.
Can I keep my previous nationality?
From the German point of view, yes. Since 27.06.2024 you no longer have to give up your previous nationality for naturalization (Act on the Modernization of Nationality Law, BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 104). Whether you actually keep it, however, is decided by the law of your country of origin. Some states do not allow dual nationality. If in doubt, ask at the embassy or consulate of your country of origin. More on this: dual citizenship in Germany.
What fees are incurred for naturalization?
The fee is 255 € per person (§ 38 Abs. 2 StAG). For a minor child who is co-naturalized and has no own income, it is 51 €. The naturalization test costs 25 € (BAMF, page of 28.09.2026). Depending on the case, costs for language examination, certificates and translations are added. If you earn very little, the authority can reduce the fee or exempt you from it (§ 38 Abs. 4 StAG). More on this: costs of naturalization.
Do I need a lawyer for naturalization?
No. You can file the application yourself. You also receive information and advice from your naturalization authority. You may also bring and conduct an action for failure to act before the administrative court yourself (§ 67 Abs. 1 VwGO). Legal help can be useful if you are unsure whether you meet all requirements, or if the authority does not decide for a long time. You receive a first assessment of your starting situation in the free naturalization check.
Responsible for the content of Mein Deutscher Pass. Admitted as a lawyer since 2007, member of the Düsseldorf Bar Association, law firm in Neuss. You can check the admission in the nationwide official directory of lawyers.
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