Naturalisation in Germany · Einbürgerung

Where to applyEinbürgerungsbehördeNo national decision period is published; it depends on your local office.

Exam parts2· 60 minSprachnachweis B1 · Einbürgerungstest

Cost€255

Naturalisation in Germany (B1 + LiD, Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF) has 2 parts: Sprachnachweis B1, Einbürgerungstest. Cost: €255 per person. Decision: No national decision period is published; it depends on your local office. Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

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

1Get adviceEinbürgerungsbehörde, Ausländerbehörde or migration advice
2ProofsB1 certificate + citizenship test
3Apply€255 per person
4German citizenGerman citizenship is permanent. Since 2024-06-27 you may keep your previous nationality under German law.

Where

Apply at the competent Einbürgerungsbehörde where you live. source

Waiting & results

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

No national decision period is published; it depends on your local office. source

Cost & retakes

€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

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

At a glance

Residence5 years of habitual, regular residence in Germany[1]

LanguageGerman at B1 (CEFR)[1]

Civic knowledgeUsually by passing the Einbürgerungstest (≥ 17 of 33)[1]

Fee€255 per person; €51 per minor child naturalised with a parent[1]

Dual citizenshipAllowed since 2024-06-27[2]

WhereThe competent Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation office) where you live[1]

3-year routeAbolished again (Bundestag 2025-10-08)[3]

Exam parts60 min in total

Sprachnachweis B1Depends on the exam

Einbürgerungstest60 min

Sprachnachweis B1Speaking · BAMF names: DTZ at B1; Zertifikat Integrationskurs

Depends on the exam

Format: A certificate showing German at B1 (oral and written).
Questions / tasks: BAMF names: DTZ at B1; Zertifikat Integrationskurs
Task types: Other B1 certificates: see the BAMF list of recognised B1 proofs and ask your office.
Scoring: Level B1 needed
Allowed aids: —[1]

EinbürgerungstestKnowledge · 33 questions (30 general + 3 on your Bundesland)

60 min

Format: Multiple-choice test at a Prüfstelle (test centre)
Questions / tasks: 33 questions (30 general + 3 on your Bundesland)
Task types: 4 answer options per question; catalogue of 300 general + 10 state questions.
Scoring: Pass: ≥ 17 correct. LiD with ≥ 17 also counts.
Allowed aids: Not stated on the official pages[1]

Scoring, results and retakes

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.[1]

Living without benefits

You must support yourself and your dependants without Bürgergeld or other social benefits.[1]

Exclusion reasons

Antisemitism, racism and other forms of disrespect for human beings are grounds for exclusion from naturalisation.[4]

Test result

BAMF sends a certificate of your Einbürgerungstest result. With fewer than 17 correct you can repeat the test.[1]

Children born in Germany

Children of foreign parents born in Germany become German, and may keep their parents’ nationality, if at least one parent has lived legally in Germany for more than 5 years.[1]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Language: B1 proof

The law asks for sufficient German, defined as CEFR B1.
BAMF names the DTZ at B1 and the Zertifikat Integrationskurs as proof.
For other certificates (Goethe, telc, ÖSD) check the BAMF list and ask your office.

Source [1]

Einbürgerungstest

33 questions in 60 minutes; at least 17 correct.
30 questions on democracy, history and society, 3 on your Bundesland.
The catalogue (300 + 10 per state) is public in the BAMF Online-Testcenter.
A German school-leaving certificate exempts you from the test.

Source [1]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels2

5 years — no more 3-year route

The 2024 reform introduced naturalisation after 3 years for exceptional integration. The Bundestag voted on 2025-10-08 to abolish it; the federal government lists this under the November 2025 changes.[5]

Residence right

At naturalisation you need a permanent right of residence, an EU-Switzerland residence permit, an EU Blue Card or a temporary residence permit.[1]

Registration1

Apply at the naturalisation office

Forms are available at the competent Einbürgerungsbehörde. The Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office), Jugendmigrationsdienste and Migrationsberatung can advise you.[1]

Costs & payment2

Fee and reductions

€255 per person, €51 per minor child naturalised with a parent. With a very low income or several children the fee can be reduced or paid in instalments.[1]

Test fee

The Einbürgerungstest costs €25.[1]

Exemptions1

Test exemptions

No test with a German school-leaving certificate, or if illness, disability or age make it impossible. Former guest workers: oral German only, no test (2024 reform).[4]

Good to know1

Keep your old nationality

Since 2024-06-27 multiple citizenship is allowed; you no longer have to give up your previous nationality under German law. Your other country’s law may differ.[2]

On the exam day

1
Book the test via a Prüfstelle
Your Einbürgerungsbehörde tells you which test centres are near you; you register there and pay €25.[1]
2
Waiting for the result
In September 2026 BAMF was evaluating tests taken up to 2026-07-09 — plan for several weeks before you get the certificate.[1]

Recent and planned changes

2025-10-08
In force3-year route abolished
The Bundestag voted (450 for, 134 against, 2 abstentions) to remove the "Turboeinbürgerung" after 3 years. The federal government lists it among the November 2025 changes; the exact start date was not confirmed.[3]
2024-06-27
In forceNew citizenship law
In force since 2024-06-27: residence reduced from 8 to 5 years, multiple citizenship allowed, stricter exclusion for antisemitism and racism.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of naturalisation in Germany?

Sprachnachweis B1 (Depends on the exam) · Einbürgerungstest (60 min).

How much does naturalisation in Germany cost?