# Naturalisation in Germany · Einbürgerung: key facts (2026) > 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. Country: Germany · Level: B1 + LiD · Exam organisation: Einbürgerungsbehörde · BAMF · Last checked: 2026-09-29 ## 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. ## 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: ## 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: ## 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: ## How long does the decision on German citizenship (Einbürgerung) take? No national decision period is published; it depends on your local office. Source: ## 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: ## 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: ## 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: ## Where do I apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung)? Apply at the competent Einbürgerungsbehörde where you live. Source: ## 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. --- Full exam guide with all official sources: https://eupassway.com/en/guides/de-naturalisation Free practice: https://eupassway.com/en/ueben/fragenkatalog This page: https://eupassway.com/en/exam-facts/de-naturalisation Cite as: 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 organisation. Rules and fees change; the official source always prevails. License: CC BY 4.0.