Entitlement to naturalization

If you meet certain requirements, you have a legal right to naturalization. This means that the authorities do not decide at their discretion, but must naturalize you if all conditions are met.

The basic requirements for your application

In order to be able to apply for naturalization, some basic conditions must be met. You must be a foreigner, i.e. not already have German citizenship. A crucial point is that your identity and your previous citizenship must be clarified. In addition, you must have reached the age of 16 and be able to manage your own legal affairs. If this is not the case, a legal representative can act on your behalf.

Duration of stay in Germany

To be eligible for naturalization, you must have lived in Germany legally and with a habitual residence for five years. This means that the center of your life must have been in Germany for this time.

Possibility to shorten the length of stay

Under certain circumstances, this period can be shortened to up to three years. This is possible if you can provide evidence of special integration achievements. These include

• Particularly good performance at school or at work.
• Proven civic engagement.
• Language skills that go beyond the required level and correspond to level C1.

In addition, your livelihood must be secured.

The core requirements for eligibility for naturalization in detail

In addition to the general conditions, there are a number of core requirements that you must prove for naturalization.

Your residence status

At the time of naturalization, you must have a specific residence permit. This includes

• an unlimited right of residence, such as a settlement permit or an EU permanent residence permit.
• as a Swiss national, a corresponding residence permit.
• an EU Blue Card.
• certain other residence permits that are not only for a temporary purpose such as studying.

Commitment to the free democratic basic order

They must declare their commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is done by means of a written declaration and is confirmed by an oral, solemn commitment when the certificate is handed over. You thereby declare that you do not pursue or support any endeavors that are directed against the constitution.

Commitment to Germany's special historical responsibility

Part of this commitment is also the recognition of Germany's special historical responsibility arising from the National Socialist reign of injustice and its consequences. This includes in particular the protection of Jewish life. You are also committed to the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging a war of aggression.

Securing your livelihood

An important requirement is that you must be able to support yourself and your dependent family members. This means that, as a rule, you must not receive any benefits from the basic income support for jobseekers (citizen's allowance) or from social welfare.

Exceptions to the maintenance guarantee

There are important exceptions to this rule. The receipt of social benefits does not prevent naturalization if you:

• belong to the so-called guest workers who entered West Germany before June 30, 1974 or entered the GDR as contract workers before June 13, 1990 and are not responsible for the receipt of benefits.
• have worked full-time for at least 20 months in the last 24 months.
• live together as a spouse or partner with a person who works full-time as described above and you have a minor child together.

Proof of language skills

You must have sufficient knowledge of the German language. This is usually demonstrated by passing a language test at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Proof without testing

Proof can also be provided in other ways, for example by:

• a successful graduation from a German school.
• vocational training completed in Germany.
• studying at a German-speaking university.

Facilitation of language skills

There are simplifications for certain groups of people. For the generation of guest workers, it is sufficient if they can communicate orally in everyday life. The requirements can also be reduced in cases of particular hardship, if language acquisition is not possible or significantly more difficult despite serious efforts.

Knowledge about Germany: The naturalization test

You must have knowledge of the legal and social order as well as the living conditions in Germany. This is normally demonstrated by successfully passing the naturalization test. If you have a German school-leaving certificate, the test is not required.

Naturalization of your family

A great advantage is the possibility of co-naturalization of your family. Your spouse or registered partner as well as your underage children can often be naturalized together with you, even if they have not yet reached the full required period of residence in Germany.

Reasons that may preclude naturalization

There are certain circumstances that preclude naturalization even if all other requirements are met. These include:

• Actual indications that you are pursuing or supporting efforts against the free democratic basic order.
• A particularly serious interest in deportation, for example because of support for terrorism.
• Conducting a polygamous marriage.
• This behavior shows that you disregard the equal rights of men and women enshrined in the Basic Law.

Significance of criminal offenses for naturalization

In principle, you must not have been convicted of a serious criminal offense. However, not all convictions are taken into account for naturalization.

Which convictions are harmless?

As a rule, these are not taken into account:

• Educational measures or correctional measures under juvenile criminal law.
• Fines of up to 90 daily rates.
• Prison sentences of up to three months, suspended on probation and remitted after the probation period.

If several penalties are imposed, these are added together.

Exemption for certain criminal offenses

An important exception to the harmlessness of minor sentences exists if the offense was committed for anti-Semitic, racist or other inhuman motives. Such convictions stand in the way of naturalization, even if the sentence is minor.

What happens in ongoing proceedings?

If you are under investigation, the decision on your naturalization application will be suspended until the proceedings have been concluded.

Exceptions to the language and knowledge tests

If you are unable to meet the requirements for language skills or the naturalization test due to physical, mental or psychological illness, disability or age, these requirements will be waived. This ensures that no one is excluded from naturalization due to such circumstances.