Citizenship Wizard - German Naturalization Guide

⏱️ Residence Requirements

8 years Standard requirement

7 years With integration course completion

6 years With B2 German + special integration

5 years With C1 German + exceptional integration

3 years Married to German citizen (+ 2 years marriage)

2024 Update: New law makes dual citizenship easier. You may not need to give up your original citizenship!

🏠

Lawful residence

Usually need settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or EU permanent residence

🗣️

German language B1

Zertifikat Deutsch or higher. Some exceptions for elderly/disabled

💼

Self-sufficient

Can support yourself/family without Bürgergeld (exceptions apply)

📜

No criminal record

Minor offenses usually OK. Serious crimes disqualify.

🇩🇪

Citizenship test

33 questions, need 17 correct. Can practice online!

Questions 33 (from pool of 310)

Passing score 17 correct (52%)

Time limit 60 minutes

Cost €25

Topics History, politics, society

Pass rate: ~97%! Practice online and you'll almost certainly pass. The questions are public and don't change often.

Passport (original nationality) Current and any expired passports
Residence permit Preferably Niederlassungserlaubnis
Birth certificate Apostilled/legalized, translated to German
German language certificate B1 or higher (Goethe, telc, etc.)
Citizenship test certificate Einbürgerungstest passed
Income proof Employment contract, pay slips, tax returns
Pension insurance history Rentenversicherungsverlauf from Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Biometric photos Recent passport photos