What does German citizenship (Einbürgerung) require?
What you need for German citizenship: 5 years of residence, German at B1, the Einbürgerungstest and more. It is set by Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF. Level: B1 + LiD.
Germany · B1 + LiD · Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF
Naturalisation in Germany · Einbürgerung: key facts (2026)
Checked 2026-09-29
Short answer
German citizenship (Einbürgerung): language level B1 + LiD, decided by Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF; the proof covers Sprachnachweis B1, Einbürgerungstest. Fee: €255 per person; €51 per minor child naturalised with a parent. Reduction or instalments possible with a very low income or several children. Einbürgerungstest €25 extra. Language requirement: Nine main requirements: 5 years’ residence; clarified identity; commitment to the free democratic basic order; commitment to Germany’s historical responsibility (incl. protecting Jewish life); a suitable residence right; own livelihood; no criminal conviction; German B1; civic knowledge. Decision: No national decision period is published; it depends on your local office.
Which exams prove the language and civic knowledge for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)?
2 parts: Sprachnachweis B1 (Depends on the exam), Einbürgerungstest (60 min). About 60 minutes of exam time in total for the timed parts.
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
What is the fee for German citizenship (Einbürgerung) in 2026?
€255 per person; €51 per minor child naturalised with a parent. Reduction or instalments possible with a very low income or several children. Einbürgerungstest €25 extra.
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
Which language level is required for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)?
Nine main requirements: 5 years’ residence; clarified identity; commitment to the free democratic basic order; commitment to Germany’s historical responsibility (incl. protecting Jewish life); a suitable residence right; own livelihood; no criminal conviction; German B1; civic knowledge.
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
How long does the decision on German citizenship (Einbürgerung) take?
No national decision period is published; it depends on your local office.
Source: auswaertiges-amt.de · checked 2026-09-29
Is there a separate test for German citizenship (Einbürgerung), and what is changing?
No separate exam: you submit a B1 certificate and your test result. The 3-year fast route was abolished (Bundestag vote 2025-10-08).
Source: bundestag.de · checked 2026-09-29
How do I apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)?
Part of the citizenship application. No exam dates: you apply at the Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation office) where you live. Requirements include 5 years of residence, German at B1 and the Einbürgerungstest.
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
How long do applications for German citizenship (Einbürgerung) take in practice?
No waiting-time figure is published. Plan extra time for the Einbürgerungstest result (BAMF backlog: in September 2026 tests up to 2026-07-09 were being evaluated).
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
Where do I apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)?
Apply at the competent Einbürgerungsbehörde where you live.
Source: bamf.de · checked 2026-09-29
Where can I practise for the language and civic tests for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)?
On EUpassway: free practice questions with an explanation for every answer and timed mock exams in the exam format, no account needed: https://eupassway.com/en/ueben/fragenkatalog — EUpassway is independent; the official sample exams of Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF are linked in the exam guide: https://eupassway.com/en/guides/de-naturalisation.
Cite or reuse
Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Plain text for AI assistants: de-naturalisation.md · all exams: exam facts dataset
EUpassway (2026). Naturalisation in Germany · Einbürgerung: key facts. https://eupassway.com/en/exam-facts/de-naturalisation
EUpassway is independent and not affiliated with any exam authority. Rules and fees change; the official source always prevails.