Germany

Last Updated: 2026-03-19

Official Portal: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) — Nationality

Embassy Finder: German Missions Abroad

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Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	5 years lawful habitual residence (reduced from 8, effective June 2024); 3 years with special integration
Language requirement	B1 German (CEFR) for standard naturalization; B2 for the 3-year fast track
Civics test	Einbuergerungstest (33 questions, pass with 17 correct); waived for applicants 67+ and certain hardship cases
Processing time	6—18 months (varies widely by municipality; large cities like Berlin can exceed 24 months due to backlogs)
Naturalization fee	EUR 255 per adult; EUR 51 per minor child naturalized with a parent
Dual citizenship	Fully permitted since 27 June 2024
Citizenship by birth in Germany	Yes (conditional jus soli since 2000); at least one parent must have 8 years lawful residence and a permanent right of residence
Citizenship by descent	Automatic for children of German parents (jus sanguinis); registration required for births abroad in certain cases
Governing law	Staatsangehoerigkeitsgesetz (StAG) — German Nationality Act

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Dual Citizenship — Conditional (Effectively Yes since June 2024)

Germany historically required applicants to renounce their prior nationality before naturalizing. This changed fundamentally on 27 June 2024 when the Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehoerigkeitsrechts (Act to Modernize Nationality Law) entered into force.

Pre-2024 Rule: Dual citizenship was only tolerated in limited cases — EU/EEA nationals, nationals of countries that refused release (e.g., Iran, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea), recognized refugees, and cases of unreasonable hardship. All others had to renounce.

Post-June 2024 Rule: Germany now fully accepts multiple nationality. Applicants naturalizing in Germany are no longer required to give up their existing citizenship. Likewise, German citizens who acquire a foreign nationality no longer automatically lose their German citizenship (previously Section 25 StAG caused automatic loss upon voluntary acquisition of another nationality).

This is one of the most significant liberalizations in German nationality law since the 1999/2000 reforms.

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Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Germany introduced a conditional jus soli rule effective 1 January 2000 as part of the landmark 1999 reform of the StAG.

Requirements (Section 4(3) StAG):

A child born in Germany to non-German parents acquires German citizenship at birth if, at the time of the child’s birth, at least one parent:

1. Has been lawfully habitually resident in Germany for at least 8 years, AND
2. Holds a permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or an EU long-term residence permit, or is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen with a right of free movement.

Key notes:

• The child acquires German citizenship in addition to the nationality of the parents (dual citizenship is retained; the old “option model” / Optionspflicht requiring a choice by age 23 was largely abolished in 2014 and fully removed in 2024).
• This does NOT apply retroactively to persons born before 1 January 2000.
• The 8-year residency period for the parent counts only lawful residence with a valid title.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

German citizenship is primarily based on descent (Section 4(1) StAG).

Automatic acquisition:

• A child acquires German citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a German citizen at the time of birth, regardless of where the child is born.

Generational limit for births abroad (Section 4(4) StAG):

• A child born abroad to a German parent who was also born abroad after 31 December 1999 does not automatically acquire German citizenship — UNLESS the birth is registered within one year at the competent German mission abroad (embassy/consulate).
• This prevents indefinite transmission of citizenship across generations born outside Germany with no connection to the country.
• Children born abroad to a parent born in Germany (or born abroad before 1 January 2000) acquire citizenship automatically with no registration requirement.

Historical note:

• Before 1 January 1975, citizenship by descent was transmitted only through the father in cases of married parents. Reforms in 1975 and subsequent laws extended equal transmission to mothers. Persons born before 1975 to a German mother and non-German father who missed out on citizenship may be eligible for a declaration right (Erklaerungsrecht) introduced in 2021 (Section 5 StAG, effective 20 August 2021).

By Adoption

A child under 18 adopted by a German citizen acquires German citizenship upon the finalization of the adoption under German law (Section 6 StAG).

Conditions:

• The adoption must be legally effective under German law.
• The adopted person must be a minor (under 18) at the time the adoption application was filed.
• Adults adopted by German citizens do not acquire German citizenship by adoption; they must naturalize through the standard process.

By Marriage

Germany has no automatic acquisition of citizenship through marriage. A foreign spouse of a German citizen must naturalize, but benefits from a reduced residency requirement:

Requirements (Section 9 StAG in conjunction with Section 8):

• The marriage must have existed for at least 2 years at the time of application.
• The applicant must have been lawfully resident in Germany for at least 3 years (reduced from the standard 5 years post-2024 reform; previously reduced from 8 to 3 under the spousal pathway).
• All other naturalization conditions apply: B1 German, Einbuergerungstest, financial self-sufficiency, no criminal record, commitment to the free democratic basic order.
• The couple must be living together in a genuine marital community.

By Naturalization (Residency)

The June 2024 reform substantially liberalized the standard naturalization pathway.

Standard pathway (Section 10 StAG, post-June 2024):

Requirement	Details
Lawful habitual residence	5 years (previously 8 years)
Settlement permit or equivalent	Must hold a permanent residence title at the time of naturalization (or be an EU citizen with right of free movement)
German language	B1 level (CEFR), evidenced by a recognized certificate (e.g., Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, DTZ)
Civics knowledge	Pass the Einbuergerungstest (naturalization test) — 33 multiple-choice questions from a pool of 310, 17 correct to pass. Waived for applicants aged 67 and older, and for persons with disabilities or illness preventing participation.
Financial self-sufficiency	Must be able to support yourself and dependents without recourse to social benefits (SGB II / SGB XII). Exceptions for persons unable to work due to age, disability, or illness through no fault of their own. The 2024 reform introduced a stricter provision: receipt of social benefits due to one’s own fault is an absolute bar.
No criminal convictions	No significant criminal convictions. Minor offenses (fines up to 90 daily rates or suspended sentences up to 3 months) are generally disregarded.
Commitment to the free democratic basic order	A declaration of loyalty to the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). The 2024 reform added an explicit clause: antisemitic, racist, or other inhumane acts are incompatible with the guarantee of human dignity and are grounds for denial.
Renunciation of prior citizenship	No longer required (since 27 June 2024)
Fee	EUR 255 (adults); EUR 51 (minors with a parent)

Fast-track pathway (3 years, Section 10(3) StAG post-2024):

The 2024 reform introduced a shortened pathway for applicants demonstrating special integration achievements:

Requirement	Details
Residence	3 years (instead of 5)
Language	B2 level (higher than the standard B1)
Additional criteria (at least one)	Outstanding professional or academic achievement, special civic engagement (volunteer work, community involvement), or other evidence of advanced integration
All other conditions	Same as standard pathway

Previous fast-track (for reference): Under the old law, the standard period was 8 years, reducible to 7 with completion of an integration course, or to 6 with special integration achievements. These intermediate steps no longer exist; it is now simply 5 or 3.

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Preferred Pathways

EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and Swiss citizens benefit from freedom of movement under EU law. While this does not change the naturalization requirements themselves, it provides significant practical advantages:

• No visa or residence permit needed — right of residence is automatic.
• The 5-year (or 3-year) residency clock starts immediately upon registering residence (Anmeldung).
• No need to obtain a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis); their EU free-movement right satisfies that requirement.
• Dual citizenship was always accepted for EU/EEA nationals even before the 2024 reform.

Treaty Preferences

Germany is party to the 1997 European Convention on Nationality (ratified with reservations) and the 1963 Convention on Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality (though the 2024 reform effectively supersedes Germany’s obligations under the latter regarding renunciation). No bilateral treaties provide a materially different or faster naturalization route.

Where Your Passport Opens Doors

A German passport consistently ranks among the most powerful in the world:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: 190+ countries and territories (Henley Passport Index, top tier)
• EU freedom of movement: Live, work, study in any of the 27 EU member states plus EEA countries and Switzerland without a visa or work permit
• Schengen Area: Unrestricted travel within 27 Schengen countries
• Strong consular protection: Access to German diplomatic and consular assistance worldwide, plus EU consular assistance in countries where Germany has no mission

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Special Clauses & Programs

Article 116(2) Basic Law — Restoration for Nazi-Era Victims and Descendants

One of the most significant provisions in German nationality law. Article 116(2) of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) states:

“Former German citizens who, between 30 January 1933 and 8 May 1945, were deprived of their citizenship on political, racial, or religious grounds, and their descendants, shall on application have their citizenship restored.”

Key details:

• This is a constitutional right, not discretionary.
• Applies to persons who were denaturalized under the Nazi regime (primarily Jewish Germans, political dissidents, Roma, and others persecuted).
• Descendants includes children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. — there is no generational limit.
• Dual citizenship is fully permitted under this route; no renunciation of any other nationality is required.
• 2019 expansion: Following a federal directive, Germany broadened eligibility to include persons who could have acquired German citizenship but were prevented by Nazi persecution, even if they were never formally citizens (e.g., women who lost citizenship through marriage to a foreigner under pre-1953 law, or persons born abroad who would have been citizens but for their parent’s denaturalization).
• 2021 legislative addition (Section 15 StAG): A statutory declaration right was added for descendants of Nazi persecution victims and for persons disadvantaged by historical gender discrimination in citizenship law (pre-1975 patrilineal-only transmission, pre-1953 loss by marriage).
• Application is made to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) in Cologne or through a German mission abroad.
• No language or residency requirement applies.
• No fee for the naturalization itself.

Spaetaussiedler (Ethnic German Repatriates)

Under the Bundesvertriebenengesetz (BVFG) — Federal Expellees Act — ethnic Germans (Volkszugehoerige) from the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and other successor states may be admitted to Germany and acquire citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Requirements:

• Must be of German ethnic descent (German ancestry, language, culture).
• Must have lived in one of the designated countries of origin (primarily former Soviet Union states, but also Romania, Poland, and others under certain conditions).
• Must apply for recognition as a Spaetaussiedler before entering Germany (application to BVA).
• Upon acceptance and arrival in Germany, the person is issued a certificate (Spaetaussiedlerbescheinigung) and acquires German citizenship upon taking up permanent residence.
• Spouses and descendants may be included in the application.

Current relevance: The program primarily benefits ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union (especially Russia, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian republics). Numbers have decreased significantly since the 1990s peak but the program remains active.

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Investment Pathways

Germany does not have a citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program. There is no golden visa scheme that leads directly to citizenship.

However, investment-related residence permits exist that can lead to naturalization through the standard pathway:

• Self-employment visa (Section 21 AufenthG): For entrepreneurs establishing a business in Germany. Requires a viable business plan, adequate funding, and economic benefit to the region. After holding this permit and meeting the 5-year residency requirement, naturalization is possible.
• EU Blue Card (Section 18g AufenthG): For highly skilled workers with a recognized university degree and a minimum salary offer (EUR 45,300 in 2024 for shortage occupations; EUR 41,042 for STEM; general threshold higher). Blue Card holders can obtain a permanent settlement permit after 21—33 months, then naturalize after 5 years total residence.
• There is no minimum investment amount that guarantees or fast-tracks citizenship.

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Business & Entrepreneurship

Germany is Europe’s largest economy with a strong engineering culture, excellent infrastructure, and a growing startup scene centered in Berlin. The freelancer visa system is uniquely accessible, but traditional company formation (GmbH) remains more bureaucratic than in Anglo-Saxon countries.

Company Formation

Most common entity type	GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung)
Formation timeline	2-6 weeks
Formation cost	EUR 800-1,500 (notary + registration fees)
Minimum capital	EUR 25,000 (EUR 12,500 at formation; EUR 1 for UG)
Online registration	Partial — notarization required in person

The GmbH is Germany’s standard limited liability company. Formation requires a notarized articles of association, which means an in-person visit to a German notary. The UG (haftungsbeschrankt) or “mini-GmbH” is a low-cost alternative with just EUR 1 minimum capital — popular with startups, though you must retain 25% of annual profits until capital reaches EUR 25,000. Foreign nationals can own and direct a GmbH without restrictions.

Entrepreneur & Startup Visas

Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler) — Section 21(5) Residence Act:

• For self-employed professionals in “liberal professions” (IT, consulting, design, education, engineering, etc.)
• No minimum investment or revenue requirement
• Must show contracts, client letters, or business plan
• 1-3 year visa, renewable; path to settlement after 5 years
• One of the easiest self-employment visas in Europe

Self-Employment Visa — Section 21(1):

• For non-freelance business founders
• Requires a viable business plan approved by the Chamber of Commerce (IHK)
• Must demonstrate economic interest and local demand
• Regional approval required

EU Blue Card:

• For highly qualified employees with salary above EUR 43,800 (STEM/IT shortage occupations)
• Path to permanent residence after 21 months (with B1 German) or 33 months

Tax Overview

Corporate tax rate	15% + 5.5% solidarity surcharge = ~15.8%
Trade tax (Gewerbesteuer)	7-17% depending on municipality (Berlin ~14.4%)
Combined effective rate	~30%
VAT	19% (7% reduced rate)
Capital gains tax	25% flat + solidarity surcharge
Personal income tax (top rate)	45% (above EUR 277,826)
Tax treaty network	95+ countries

Germany’s headline corporate tax rate of 15.8% is low by European standards, but the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) adds significantly. Berlin’s combined rate is approximately 30%. Freelancers (Freiberufler) are exempt from trade tax — a major advantage. The EXIST Business Start-up Grant provides living expenses (EUR 1,000-3,000/month) and coaching for up to 18 months for university-based founders.

Banking & Financial Infrastructure

• Traditional banks: Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkassen (savings banks)
• Digital banks: N26 (Berlin-based), Qonto, Kontist (for freelancers)
• Stripe is fully available in Germany
• SEPA transfers for instant European payments
• No foreign exchange controls within the EU
• Opening a business account typically requires in-person appointment and German address
• German bureaucracy extends to banking — expect more paperwork than in the US or UK

Key Programs & Incentives

• EXIST Start-up Grant — EUR 1,000-3,000/month for 12-18 months for university-affiliated founders
• EXIST Research Transfer — up to EUR 250K for deep tech startups from universities
• High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF) — government-backed seed fund, one of Europe’s most active
• KfW Bank — government development bank offering startup loans (ERP-Grunderkredit up to EUR 125K)
• German Accelerator — government-funded program helping startups expand to US, Southeast Asia, and other markets
• Berlin startup ecosystem: Factory Berlin, Plug and Play, Techstars Berlin, ESMT Entrepreneurship Hub
• Bavarian innovation cluster: UnternehmerTUM (Munich), one of Europe’s largest entrepreneurship centers
• de:hub initiative — 12 digital hub locations across Germany specializing in different sectors (AI, IoT, fintech, etc.)

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Loss of Nationality

Voluntary Renunciation

A German citizen may renounce their citizenship (Section 26 StAG) if:

1. They have acquired or been assured the citizenship of another country.
2. Renunciation will not render them stateless.

The renunciation is effected by a formal declaration and issuance of a certificate of renunciation (Entlassungsurkunde) by the competent authority (usually the Bundesverwaltungsamt or the German mission abroad).

Fee: EUR 51.

Note: Renunciation is voluntary. Since the 2024 reform removed the requirement to renounce prior citizenships for naturalization, and removed automatic loss upon acquiring a foreign nationality, the practical need for renunciation has decreased significantly.

Involuntary Loss

Pre-June 2024 (old Section 25 StAG): A German citizen who voluntarily acquired a foreign citizenship automatically lost German citizenship, unless they had obtained prior permission to retain it (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). This was one of the most impactful provisions of German nationality law, catching many dual nationals unaware.

Post-June 2024 (amended Section 25 StAG): This automatic loss provision has been abolished. German citizens who acquire another nationality no longer lose their German citizenship. This applies regardless of whether the other nationality is EU or non-EU.

Remaining grounds for involuntary loss:

Ground	Details
Adoption by a foreigner	A minor German citizen may lose German citizenship if adopted by a foreign national, but only if the adoption causes acquisition of the adopter’s nationality AND the child is not rendered stateless (Section 27 StAG).
Service in foreign armed forces	A German citizen who voluntarily serves in the armed forces of a country of which they are also a citizen may lose German citizenship if they have not obtained prior approval from the German authorities (Section 28 StAG). This mainly applies to dual nationals and requires voluntary enlistment, not compulsory service.
Fraudulent naturalization	Naturalization obtained by fraud, threat, or bribery may be withdrawn within 10 years (Section 35 StAG). The 2024 reform tightened rules on antisemitic or discriminatory conduct as grounds for revocation.

Recovery / Resumption

Persons who previously lost German citizenship may recover it through:

1. Re-naturalization (Section 13 StAG): Former German citizens and their descendants may apply for discretionary re-naturalization. The standard requirements (residency, language, etc.) apply, but authorities have discretion to take the prior citizenship into account favorably.
2. Article 116(2) Basic Law: Victims of Nazi persecution and their descendants — see Special Clauses above. This is a right, not discretionary.
3. Section 15 StAG (Declaration right, effective 2021): Descendants of persons who lost citizenship due to Nazi persecution or historical gender discrimination may declare their right to German citizenship. No residency or language requirement.
4. Beibehaltungsgenehmigung retroactive claims: Some persons who lost citizenship under the old Section 25 (by acquiring a foreign nationality without permission) before the 2024 reform may not benefit retroactively. The 2024 reform is not retroactive — it does not restore citizenship already lost. These individuals must apply for re-naturalization.

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Practical Guide

Documents Typically Required for Naturalization

1. Application form (Antrag auf Einbuergerung) — obtained from the local Einbuergerungsbehoerde (naturalization authority, usually at the city or district level)
2. Valid passport and current residence permit
3. Birth certificate (with apostille/legalization and certified German translation)
4. Marriage certificate (if applicable)
5. Proof of German language proficiency — B1 certificate (Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or DTZ), or proof of German-language schooling/university degree
6. Einbuergerungstest certificate — or proof of exemption (German school diploma, age 67+, disability)
7. Proof of income/employment — pay slips, employment contract, tax returns, or proof of pension/retirement income
8. Proof of no social welfare dependency — confirmation from Jobcenter/Sozialamt that no benefits are being received, or documentation of exemption (disability, age)
9. Criminal background check — the authority requests this directly from the Federal Central Register (Bundeszentralregister); applicants typically do not need to obtain it themselves
10. Meldebescheinigung — registration confirmation showing continuous residence history
11. Biometric passport photos
12. Declaration of loyalty to the free democratic basic order (Bekenntnis zur freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung)

Where to Submit

Situation	Authority
Living in Germany	Local naturalization authority (Einbuergerungsbehoerde) — usually at the Rathaus (city hall) or Landratsamt (district office). Each Bundesland has slightly different administrative structures.
Living abroad	Application through the nearest German Embassy or Consulate, which forwards to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) in Cologne.
Article 116 / Section 15 claims	Directly to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), 50728 Koeln, Germany. Can also be submitted via German missions abroad.

Processing Time

Pathway	Typical Duration
Standard naturalization	6—18 months (varies significantly by state and city)
Large cities (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg)	12—24+ months due to high demand and backlogs
Smaller municipalities	3—9 months
Article 116(2) / Section 15 declarations	12—24 months (BVA processing)
Spaetaussiedler	Variable; the BVA review can take 12+ months before entry to Germany

Post-2024 note: The reduction from 8 to 5 years and the acceptance of dual citizenship have led to a significant increase in applications, which has extended processing times at many offices. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Fees

Service	Fee
Naturalization (adult)	EUR 255
Naturalization (minor, with parent)	EUR 51
Naturalization (minor, standalone)	EUR 255
Article 116 restoration	Free
Section 15 declaration	EUR 51
Renunciation of citizenship	EUR 51
Certificate of citizenship (Staatsangehoerigkeitsausweis)	EUR 25
Retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung)	EUR 255 (largely obsolete post-2024)

Fee reduction or waiver: Possible in cases of financial hardship. The authority has discretion to reduce or waive the fee.

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Related Countries

Country	Relevance
Austria	Shared language; Austrian citizenship law is much stricter on dual citizenship (generally prohibited). German citizens naturalizing in Austria must still renounce German citizenship under Austrian law, though they no longer lose German citizenship automatically under German law post-2024.
Switzerland	Large German-speaking population. Swiss naturalization requires 10 years of residence. Germany-Switzerland bilateral agreements facilitate residence.
EU/EEA Member States	German citizenship confers full EU freedom of movement. EU citizens have always been exempt from the renunciation requirement in Germany.
Turkey	Large Turkish-origin diaspora in Germany (approx. 3 million). The 2024 reform is particularly significant for this community, as Turkish nationals previously had to renounce Turkish citizenship. Many who renounced under the old rules cannot recover it retroactively.
Israel	Significant community of Article 116 claimants. Israeli citizens may now also naturalize in Germany without renouncing Israeli citizenship.
Former Soviet Union states (Russia, Kazakhstan, etc.)	Spaetaussiedler program primarily draws from these countries.
Poland, Romania	Historical Spaetaussiedler source countries; also EU members, so their citizens benefit from free movement.

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Sources

1. Staatsangehoerigkeitsgesetz (StAG) — German Nationality Act, as amended by the Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehoerigkeitsrechts (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 104), effective 27 June 2024. Full text: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/

2. Grundgesetz (Basic Law), Article 116 — Constitutional provision on citizenship and restoration for Nazi-era victims. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gg/art_116.html

3. Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) — Official information on German nationality law. https://www.bmi.bund.de/EN/topics/constitution/nationality/nationality-law/nationality-law-node.html

4. Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) — Federal Office of Administration, responsible for Article 116, Section 15 declarations, and Spaetaussiedler. https://www.bva.bund.de/

5. German Missions Abroad — Embassy and consulate finder for applications from outside Germany. https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/about-us/auslandsvertretungen

6. Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) — Residence Act, governing residence permits relevant to naturalization. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/

7. Bundesvertriebenengesetz (BVFG) — Federal Expellees Act, governing Spaetaussiedler. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bvfg/

8. BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) — Administers the Einbuergerungstest and integration courses. https://www.bamf.de/