German citizenship requirements 2026: the complete list
Redaktion · 10 October 2026 · 4 min read
In short
To be entitled to German citizenship you need five years of lawful residence, a qualifying residence status, an income without Bürgergeld or social assistance, German at B1, a passed citizenship test, no relevant convictions and your commitment to the Basic Law (§ 10 StAG). The fee is 255 euros.
What does the law require?
Naturalisation as of right is set out in section 10 of the German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG). If you meet every point, you must be naturalised; the authority has no discretion.
| Requirement | What is asked | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | Five years of lawful habitual residence in Germany | § 10(1), first sentence |
| Residence status | A permanent right of residence, an EU Blue Card or a permit for a lasting purpose (not, for example, for study or training) | § 10(1) no. 2 |
| Income | For yourself and dependants without Bürgergeld (SGB II) or social assistance (SGB XII), with exceptions | § 10(1) no. 3 |
| Criminal record | No conviction for an unlawful act; minor penalties are disregarded | § 10(1) no. 5, § 12a |
| German | Level B1 of the Common European Framework | § 10(1) no. 6, (4) |
| Knowledge of Germany | Usually by passing the citizenship test | § 10(1) no. 7, (5) |
| Commitments | To the free democratic basic order and to Germany's special historical responsibility for the Nazi regime | § 10(1) nos. 1 and 1a |
Can you still get citizenship after three years?
No. The shortcut to three years for special integration achievements no longer exists: § 10(3) StAG has been repealed. The change came into force on 30 October 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I No. 257) without a transitional rule, so applications made before that date are also decided under the new law. The minimum residence of five years now applies to everyone with an entitlement.
Which German, and which proof?
You must meet the requirements of a B1 language exam (§ 10(4) StAG). Which certificates prove that, and how many DTZ points you need for B1, is explained in German B1 test for citizenship. For children under 16, age-appropriate language development is enough.
There are exceptions, for example for people who cannot reach B1 because of illness, disability or age, and for the former guest-worker generation, for whom spoken everyday German is enough (§ 10(4) and (6) StAG).
What does the citizenship test check?
The test has 33 questions, 3 of them about your federal state. You pass with at least 17 correct answers in 60 minutes. Details in German citizenship test: how many questions. You can practise it under real conditions with us: citizenship test, with the questions of the official catalogue.
Which convictions do not count?
Under § 12a StAG the following are disregarded: educational and disciplinary measures under juvenile law, fines of up to 90 daily rates, and prison sentences of up to three months that were suspended and then remitted. This does not apply if the court found an antisemitic, racist or otherwise inhuman motive.
Do you have to give up your current citizenship?
Not under German law any more: since 27 June 2024, multiple citizenship is accepted when you naturalise. Whether your country of origin lets you keep its citizenship is decided by its own law. Ask its authorities.
How much does naturalisation cost?
The fee is 255 euros per person. For a minor child naturalised together with a parent and without own income it is 51 euros (§ 38 StAG). The authority may reduce or waive the fee for reasons of fairness. Add the costs of the language exam, the citizenship test and documents.
Frequently asked questions
How many years do I have to live in Germany to get citizenship?
Five years of lawful habitual residence for an entitlement (§ 10(1) StAG). The former three-year shortcut was abolished on 30 October 2025.
What level of German do I need for citizenship?
B1. There are exceptions for illness, disability or age and for the former guest-worker generation.
How much does German citizenship cost in 2026?
255 euros per person, 51 euros for a minor child naturalised with a parent and without own income (§ 38 StAG), plus exam and document costs.
Can I get citizenship while receiving Bürgergeld?
As a rule you must support yourself without Bürgergeld or social assistance. The law has exceptions, for example for the former guest-worker generation and certain full-time workers; the authority checks them.
Do I have to give up my passport?
Not under German law since 27 June 2024. Whether your country of origin allows dual citizenship depends on its own law.
Sources
- German Nationality Act (StAG), section 10, checked 9 October 2026
- German Nationality Act (StAG), section 12a, checked 9 October 2026
- German Nationality Act (StAG), section 38 (fees), checked 9 October 2026
- asyl.net: changes to the Nationality Act in force on 30.10.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I No. 257), checked 9 October 2026
- Federal Foreign Office: nationality law, important changes since 27.06.2024, checked 9 October 2026
