Apply for German citizenship in Germany

Since the June 2024 reform, you can apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung) in Germany after just five years of legal residence — three with exceptional integration — and Germany now allows dual citizenship, so you generally no longer have to give up your original passport. You apply at your city's Einbürgerungsbehörde, usually with a language certificate and the naturalisation test.

⏱️Fee ~€255. Processing commonly takes several months to over a year, depending on the city's backlog.

Good to know — wherever you live

• ✓The 2024 reform cut the standard residence requirement to five years (three for special integration achievements) and now permits multiple citizenship — a major change from the old rules.
• ✓You'll normally need B1 German (sometimes higher) and to pass the Einbürgerungstest — 33 multiple-choice questions on German society and law; official practice questions are free online.
• ✓You must show you can support yourself without regular state benefits, and have no serious criminal record.
• ✓Demand since the reform has created long queues in big cities like your city — submit a complete file, keep copies of everything, and expect to wait.
• ✓Children and spouses can often be naturalised alongside the main applicant — ask the Einbürgerungsbehörde about joint applications.