Who has Entitlement.
The Citizenship Act recognizes four paths to German citizenship — and a clear matrix of requirements. Whoever fulfills them has a legal entitlement. No arbitrariness, no agency favor.
What changed in the new law.
- 01
Length of residence reduced from 8 to 5 years
The reduction to 3 years for exceptional integration achievements introduced with the reform was abolished again without replacement effective 30 October 2025. A uniform 5-year period now applies.
- 02
Dual citizenship generally permitted
Previously, the original citizenship had to be relinquished except in specific cases. Now multiple citizenship is the rule — no need to give up your country-of-origin citizenship.
- 03
Stricter requirements for Lebensunterhalt (means of subsistence)
Subsistence must in principle be secured without Bürgergeld (citizen's allowance) or social assistance. Exceptions for certain groups (pensioners, persons unable to work, single parents) exist but are more narrowly defined than before.
- 04
New declaration requirement
In addition to the commitment to the free democratic basic order, an express commitment to Germany's special historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime of injustice and its consequences — in particular the protection of Jewish life — is now also required.
Four paths to citizenship.
The Citizenship Act regulates naturalization in four paragraphs. Which one applies to you depends on your life situation — and determines which specific requirements actually apply.
Anspruchseinbürgerung (naturalization by legal entitlement)
Five years of lawful Aufenthalt (residence), German language skills at B1 level, secured Lebensunterhalt (means of subsistence), passed Einbürgerungstest (naturalization test) and commitment to the free democratic constitutional order. Whoever meets these requirements has a Rechtsanspruch (legal entitlement). This is the path for around 80 percent of all applicants.
Spousal naturalization
Anyone married to a German Staatsbürgerin or Staatsbürger (citizen) can submit an Einbürgerungsantrag (naturalization application) after just three years of lawful Aufenthalt (residence). The marriage must have existed for at least two years at the time of application. The remaining requirements from § 10 apply accordingly.
Ermessenseinbürgerung (discretionary naturalization)
When the standard requirements under § 10 are not met, the Behörde may carry out an Einbürgerung at its discretion in individual cases. This presupposes a public interest in the Einbürgerung — typically in cases of exceptional integration, scientific or cultural achievement, or where refusal would constitute a particular hardship (Härte).
Children & Auslandsdeutsche (Germans living abroad)
Children of foreign parents born in Germany can, under certain conditions, become German citizens from birth (§ 4 Abs. 3 StAG). For former Germans and their descendants abroad, special Einbürgerung (naturalization) paths exist under §§ 13 and 14. § 40b contains transitional rules for children born before new regulations took effect.
Six criteria that must all be met together.
Entitlement-based naturalization under § 10 StAG (Nationality Act) is tied to six specific criteria. All must be met at the same time. If one is missing, § 8 discretionary naturalization may apply instead.
Lawful residence
At least five years of uninterrupted, lawful residence in Germany with a valid Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) — Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit), Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) or Blaue Karte EU (EU Blue Card).
German language skills
Documented oral and written German skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. Proof, for example, via telc or Goethe certificate, DSH, or a German school-leaving certificate.
Lebensunterhalt secured (means of subsistence)
Independent ability to support oneself and dependants — as a rule, without receiving Bürgergeld (citizen's allowance) or social assistance. The 2024 reform tightened this requirement.
Naturalization test
The official naturalization test comprises 33 questions on law, society and life in Germany as well as the respective federal state. Passed with at least 17 correct answers.
Commitment to the FDGO (free democratic basic order)
Written commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) as well as — since the 2024 reform — to Germany's special responsibility arising from the NS (National Socialist) era and to the protection of Jewish life.
No significant prior convictions
No conviction to a Freiheitsstrafe (custodial sentence) of more than three months or a Geldstrafe (fine) of more than 90 Tagessätze (daily rates). Minor convictions may, in certain cases, be disregarded.
When your case deviates from the standard.
The law contains numerous exceptions and special rules. The most common concern the shortened period for spouses of German citizens (§ 9 StAG), eased proof requirements in case of illness, and specific constellations for quota refugees and recognized persons entitled to protection.
Shortening to 3 years (spouses of Germans)
Spouses and registered partners of German citizens can naturalize after just three years of lawful residence under § 9 StAG, provided the marriage or partnership has existed for at least two years. The former shortening to 3 years for special integration achievements (§ 10 Abs. 3 StAG, former version), by contrast, was abolished without replacement effective 30 October 2025.
Recognized beneficiaries of protection
Persons entitled to asylum, recognized refugees under the Geneva Convention, and persons with subsidiary protection may be able to file an application after as little as three years. The rule particularly applies to persons admitted via the UN quota.
Guest worker generation
For former contract workers of the DDR (GDR) and first-generation guest workers, simplified proof requirements apply after the 2024 reform for the Einbürgerungstest (naturalization test) and German language skills. The background is the recognition of long-standing life achievements.
Hardship clause for language & test
Persons with documented physical, intellectual, or psychological illness or disability may be exempted from the language proof and Einbürgerungstest (naturalization test) requirements. The authority examines the individual case on a medical basis.
Sozialleistungen (social benefits) received through no fault of one's own
Receiving Bürgergeld (citizen's allowance) does not necessarily exclude naturalization if it is through no fault of one's own — for example, single parents with caregiving duties, documented unemployment despite active efforts, or illness-related reduced earning capacity.
Not sure whether you meet the requirements?
The free eligibility check answers this question in three minutes — based on your specific situation and with reference to the applicable legal basis.
Start eligibility check→When Einbürgerung (naturalization) is refused.
Regardless of whether the six core requirements are met, there are circumstances that mandatorily exclude Einbürgerung (naturalization). These grounds are conclusively regulated in the law.
Significant prior convictions
Conviction to a Freiheitsstrafe (prison sentence) of more than three months or Geldstrafe (fine) of more than 90 daily rates. Parallel proceedings or ongoing investigations generally lead to suspension of the decision.
Verfassungsfeindliche Bestrebungen (anti-constitutional activities)
Current or past membership in extremist organizations, support of anti-constitutional groups, public endorsement of terrorist acts, or demonstrable involvement in such activities.
Antisemitic or racist acts
Demonstrably antisemitic, racist, or otherwise misanthropic acts — since the 2024 reform explicitly anchored in law. Statements documented on social media can also be relevant.
Mehrfachehen (multiple marriages)
Conducting a polygamous marriage is incompatible with the free democratic basic order and excludes naturalization. This also applies to polygamous marriages contracted abroad and continued in Germany.
Scheinerklärungen (sham declarations)
Providing false information in a naturalization or residence-law procedure — such as sham acknowledgements of paternity, sham marriages, or false identity statements. A naturalization that has already been granted may be retroactively revoked in such cases.
Missing or illegal identity
Identity must be clearly established. People without valid identity documents or with unresolvable doubts about their identity generally cannot be naturalized — except for recognized persons with protection status under certain conditions.
Detail pages on your situation.
Each naturalization application has its particularities — depending on country of origin, place of residence, and personal situation. These pages deepen the requirements for the most common constellations.
By situation
By place of residence
Your path to naturalization begins here.
If you generally meet the requirements, civitas. guides you through all 83 questions of the application — in your language, ready for the Behörde (authority).
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