HERE YOU LEARN ...
... under what conditions you can apply for naturalization
... whether you need B1 language skills and how to prove them
... what kind of employment contract you need to apply for naturalization
Written by:
Attorney
Publication date:
21.07.2024
Reading time
11 mins
Table of Content
1. Naturalization requirement: 5 years of residence
2. Naturalisation requirement: Permanent right of residence
3. Naturalization requirement: language skills
4. Naturalization requirement: Naturalization test
5. Naturalization requirement: securing livelihood
6. Naturalization requirement: No security risk/no criminal record
FAQ on naturalization requirements
Naturalization requirements
The application can be submitted to the authority if the requirements for naturalization are met. The requirements that must be met with an application for naturalization are set out below.
1. Prerequisite for naturalization: 5 years of legal residence
The most difficult requirement to fulfill for an application for naturalization is the necessary legal period of residence in Germany. This is currently (from January 19, 2024) 5 years and 3 years for “special integration services”.
Existence of special integration services
The prerequisite for reducing the residence period from eight to six or from five to three years (from January 19, 2024) is the existence of "special integration services". The special integration services primarily include the submission of a certificate from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) confirming successful participation in an integration course (then the necessary residence period is reduced from eight to seven years) and language skills above level B1. However, good German language skills are not a mandatory requirement, but can also be replaced by good performance in school, at work or general civil services. Ultimately, only "particularly good" integration must have taken place in order to shorten the time for naturalization to six years. If in doubt, a naturalization lawyer can answer when these requirements are met even without good German language skills.
2. Prerequisite for naturalization: Permanent right of residence
Naturalization with settlement permit
Another requirement is that you have a specific residence permit in order to be naturalized. Naturalization is usually achieved with a permanent residence permit. This is usually a settlement permit. However, this is not a mandatory requirement. In this respect, the EU permanent residence permit and other permanent residence permits also entitle you to naturalization.
Naturalization with the EU Blue Card
However, a permanent residence permit is not always required. This is not a mandatory requirement. As is usually the case, holders of the EU Blue Card are given priority when it comes to naturalization. In this respect, naturalization can also be applied for directly with the EU Blue Card without first obtaining a settlement permit. Since an above-average number of holders of an EU Blue Card also reside permanently in Germany, a relatively high number of naturalizations are carried out on the basis of an EU Blue Card.
In addition to naturalization with a settlement permit and the EU Blue Card, there are many other residence permits that enable naturalization. If in doubt, a lawyer specializing in immigration law can advise you on these options.
3. Prerequisite for naturalization: language skills
It is also necessary that the foreigner has a "sufficient" command of the German language. According to the legal concept, language skills at least at level B1 are required. If you want to take the language test, you can apply to the authority responsible for you. The authority will tell you which university or other institution you can take the test at. If you want to become a naturalized citizen in Berlin, you can find an overview of the dates for the next language courses (B1) on the Goethe Institute's website.
Do I need to have a current language certificate (B1)?
If you already speak German (e.g. if you learned the language through your job), it is not a mandatory requirement to provide proof of language skills. The law only requires that the applicant has a good command of the German language. However, the law does not say how this is to be proven. In administrative practice, proof of passing the test has of course become the norm, but theoretically proof can be provided by an interview with the authorities. The authorities sometimes react negatively to this, but there are cases where, for example, the certificate has been lost or where the German is so obviously perfect that a language test is completely unnecessary. If in doubt, you should ask your clerk or instruct an immigration lawyer to enforce your legal position.
Can I become a citizen without any language skills?
Naturalization without German language skills at level B1 is generally difficult, as language skills are usually a prerequisite for naturalization. The legislature therefore sees learning the German language as the most important part of integration in Germany. Exceptions only apply to children and very old people, and in cases where the foreigner cannot attend the course due to a physical, mental or psychological disability. It should be noted, however, that even an illness or disability (in the opinion of the immigration authorities) does not necessarily mean that the B1 language course does not have to be completed. For this reason, the AWO-Berlin, for example, also offers language courses for people with disabilities . If the course can be completed, language skills are also a prerequisite for naturalization for these people.
4. Prerequisite for naturalization: Naturalization test
According to the law, most applicants for naturalization must have “knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.” In concrete terms, this means that you must know German culture. This is intended to facilitate or enable integration in Germany. Although it is not a mandatory requirement to take the naturalization test, the law stipulates that the naturalization test must be passed as a rule. Naturalization is possible without the naturalization test, but it is more complicated.
The naturalization test is usually not particularly difficult, as it only tests general knowledge. A total of 33 questions must be answered within 60 minutes. The test is passed if at least 17 questions are answered correctly. The questions are not secret, but can be found in full on the BAMF website (all questions on the naturalization test) . A sample questionnaire is alsoavailable for practice on the BAMF website (sample questions on the naturalization test ).
To prepare for the naturalization test, adult education centers offer appropriate preparatory courses. Participation in the preparatory courses is not compulsory. Adult education centers now also offer the option of preparing for the naturalization courses online (preparation course for the naturalization test VHS ). Of course, a corresponding course can also be completed at the local adult education centers. The naturalization test is therefore a relatively easy requirement to fulfill.
5. Prerequisite for naturalization: securing livelihood
Another requirement for naturalization is securing a livelihood. This usually includes having a sufficiently large apartment, taking out the necessary insurance and having a regular income. The source of income is fundamentally irrelevant, so self-employment is also possible, for example, as long as it generates sufficient financial resources. Receiving unemployment benefit is also harmless as long as no social assistance in the narrower sense is received. However, the naturalization authorities are usually skeptical about receiving unemployment benefit, as it is only possible for a short period of time (usually 12 months).
Naturalization of self-employed people is often problematic because they have to submit very extensive documents. This includes, in particular, an audit report (including all necessary documents) from a tax advisor. This audit report is then used by the immigration authorities as a basis for their decision.
6. Prerequisite for naturalization: No security threat and no criminal record
The last requirement is that the naturalization applicant does not pose a threat to public safety and that a corresponding declaration of commitment to the Free Democratic Basic Order (FDGO) is made. The declaration must be made no later than when the naturalization certificate is handed over. The naturalization applicant must also not have a criminal record. However, there are numerous exceptions to this (particularly for minor offenses).
In some federal states, the naturalization authorities also require the applicant to sign a corresponding oath that he or she will not carry out any activities relevant to security policy. A violation of this oath can then justify withdrawal of naturalization. If in doubt, you can consult a lawyer specializing in naturalization law.
FAQ (naturalization requirements)
Is there a ban on dual citizenship in Germany?
Until the reform of citizenship law, it was only possible in exceptional cases to have multiple citizenships or passports in Germany. This was possible, among other things, for EU citizens and people who would suffer massive disadvantages by giving up their original citizenship. On January 19, 2024, however, the German Bundestag decided that multiple citizenship is now possible. This means that the original citizenship no longer has to be given up in order to be naturalized. This particularly benefits naturalization applicants for whom giving up their citizenship is very difficult (for example because (as in the case of Russia) a return trip to the home country is necessary).
What requirements must be met for naturalization in Germany?
Various requirements must be met for naturalization in Germany. These include legal residence for at least 5 years, sufficient knowledge of German (B1 level), passing a naturalization test and securing a livelihood without state support (except unemployment benefit).
How long do you have to live in Germany to apply for German citizenship?
As a rule, applicants must have lived in Germany for at least 5 years to apply for German citizenship. This period can be shortened to 3 years in the case of "special integration achievements".
What language skills are required for naturalization in Germany?
In order to be naturalized in Germany, you must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of German at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Proof of language skills can be provided by a language certificate, a successfully completed integration course or a school leaving certificate that certifies sufficient knowledge of German.
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Literature: BeckOK AuslR/Weber, 42nd Ed. 1.7.2024, StAG § 10 Rn. 1-65
