Nationality of Germany: all obtaining pathways
German naturalization requires five years of legal residence and B1-level German after the abolition of the three-year fast track in 2025; dual nationality is permitted. Marriage to a German citizen opens the pathway at three years, and ius soli covers certain people born in German territory.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 5 years of unbroken legal residence (3 years with exceptional integration)
- Minimum German language level B1
- Own means of subsistence without social assistance
- Dual nationality is permitted (no need to renounce the previous nationality)
- No criminal record
- Commitment to the free democratic constitutional order
- Commitment to Germany's historical responsibility for National Socialism and the protection of Jewish life
- Passed naturalization test (Einbürgerungstest)
- StAG §10(1): 5 years of lawful habitual residence in the federal territory, with unlimited residence right, subsistence, B1 German and naturalization test; commitment to the free democratic order (after the 2024 StARModG reform).
Documentation
- Valid passport or identity card
- Residence certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
- German B1 language certificate
- Naturalization test certificate
- Criminal record certificate (Führungszeugnis)
- Proof of means of subsistence
2Naturalization through marriage to a German
Naturalization through marriage to a German
Requirements
- 2 years of marriage to a German citizen
- 3 years of legal residence in Germany
- Minimum German language level B1
- Own means of subsistence
- No criminal record
- Passed naturalization test
- Notice: the current §10 (official text gesetze-im-internet.de, checked 12-Oct-2026) does not include the former 3-year reduction for spouses of Germans; verify case by case with the naturalization authority.
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Passport of the German spouse
- Residence certificate
- German B1 language certificate
- Naturalization test certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of means of subsistence
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a German citizen at the time of birth
- If the father is German and the foreign mother are unmarried: acknowledgment of paternity before age 23
- For descendants of Germans stripped of nationality by the Nazi regime: simplified restoration (Art. 116 GG)
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the German parent
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Proof of descent (civil registry documents)
- Under Art. 116 GG: proof of Nazi persecution and deprivation of nationality
4Nationality by birth in the territory (ius soli)
Nationality by birth in the territory (ius soli)
Requirements
- Birth in German territory
- At least one parent with 8 years of legal residence in Germany
- At least one parent with a permanent right of residence or residence permit under the aliens law
Documentation
- Child's birth certificate
- Proof of the parent's residence (8 years minimum)
- Parent's permanent residence permit
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Germany
How many years of residence does Germany require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Germany (Naturalization by residence), the term is 5 years of lawful habitual residence (StAG §10). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Germany allow dual nationality?
Dual nationality is permitted (no need to renounce the previous nationality)
How much does the nationality of Germany cost?
The official fee referenced in the fact sheet is 255 EUR (51 EUR for minors without their own income). Check the linked official source on each pathway in case it has changed.
Can the nationality of Germany be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage to a German pathway (The current text of StAG §10 does NOT contain a 3-year reduction by marriage; the required residence remains 5 years (the former practice of 3 years with a German spouse was removed from the rules)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Germany require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Valid passport or identity card; Residence certificate (Meldebescheinigung); German B1 language certificate; Naturalization test certificate; Criminal record certificate (Führungszeugnis); among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Germany?
Germany provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage to a German, Nationality by descent, Nationality by birth in the territory.
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