Living in Germany
Long-term residence in Germany: PR & citizenship
Two free checks for the two rungs of the ladder: the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence) and the Einbürgerung (citizenship). Current rules with the legal basis for every point — orientation only: the Ausländerbehörde and the Einbürgerungsbehörde decide.
The ladder: temporary permit → permanent residence → citizenship
1 · Temporary permit
Blue Card, skilled-worker or family permit — renewable, tied to a purpose. Every lawful year here climbs the ladder (study years count half towards the general rule).
2 · Niederlassungserlaubnis
Permanent, any job, no more renewals. After 5 years generally — but 21–27 months on a Blue Card, 2 years after a German degree, 3 years for skilled workers, self-employed and spouses of Germans. Fee €113.
3 · Einbürgerung
German passport, EU rights, the vote — and since 2024, dual citizenship for everyone. After 5 years of residence (3 for spouses of Germans), B1, the test. Fee €255.
Permanent residence check — Niederlassungserlaubnis
10 questions covering the general 5-year rule (§ 9 AufenthG), the Blue Card fast track (21/27 months), the 2-year route for German graduates, self-employed and spouses of Germans — with your estimated eligibility year.
Question 1 of 10
What residence title do you currently hold?
The route to permanent residence — and how fast it is — depends on your title.
Citizenship check — Einbürgerung
8 questions based on the current Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz — 5 years residence, B1 German, dual citizenship allowed since June 2024, the 3-year fast track abolished on 30 Oct 2025.
Question 1 of 8
How long have you lived in Germany legally?
Continuous lawful residence — time as a student or employee counts.
The citizenship rules in 2026 — what the 2024 reform changed
5 years instead of 8
The standard residence requirement dropped to 5 years in June 2024. Spouses of Germans: 3 years residence + 2 years of marriage (§ 9 StAG).
Dual citizenship allowed
You keep your original passport. The old requirement to renounce your previous nationality is gone for everyone.
Fast track abolished
The short-lived 3-year route for 'special integration' (C1 + achievements) was repealed effective 30 Oct 2025. Plan for the full 5 years.
One requirement you can knock out today — for BOTH rungs: the test. Practise all official questions for free — the ‘Leben in Deutschland’ test (permanent residence) and the Einbürgerungstest (citizenship) use the same catalogue; 33 questions in the real exam, 17 correct to pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship?
The Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence) is an unlimited residence title: you can live and work in Germany without extensions, but you keep your nationality — and it can lapse if you leave Germany for more than 6 months (§ 51 AufenthG). Citizenship (Einbürgerung) gives you a German passport, EU-wide rights and the vote, and cannot lapse through absence. Most people get permanent residence first, then naturalise at the 5-year mark.
How many years do I need for German permanent residence?
The general rule (§ 9 AufenthG) is 5 years holding a residence permit plus 60 months of pension contributions. Skilled workers (§ 18a/18b) qualify after 3 years (§ 18c Abs. 1 AufenthG), graduates of German universities or vocational training after just 2 years with 24 months of contributions, EU Blue Card holders after 27 months — or 21 months with B1 German (§ 18c Abs. 2 AufenthG). Self-employed people can qualify after 3 years of successful business (§ 21 Abs. 4 AufenthG), spouses of German citizens after 3 years (§ 28 Abs. 2 AufenthG).
Do my years as a student count towards permanent residence?
Half of them do: lawful residence for study or vocational training counts at 50% towards the 5-year general rule (§ 9 Abs. 4 Nr. 3 AufenthG). Even better, if you finish a German degree or Ausbildung and switch to a skilled-worker permit, you can get permanent residence after only 2 years with 24 months of pension contributions (§ 18c Abs. 1 S. 2 AufenthG).
What does the Niederlassungserlaubnis cost and what documents do I need?
The fee is €113 (€124 for the self-employed route, § 44 AufenthV). Typical documents: passport, biometric photo, employment contract and pay slips, pension record (Rentenversicherungsverlauf), B1 certificate or integration-course certificate, 'Leben in Deutschland' test result, rental contract. The Ausländerbehörde decides after examining the full file.
How many years do I need to live in Germany to get citizenship?
5 years of lawful residence under the standard route (§ 10 StAG) — down from 8 before the June 2024 reform. Spouses of German citizens can apply after 3 years of residence and 2 years of marriage (§ 9 StAG). The 3-year fast track for 'special integration achievements' was abolished on 30 October 2025.
Can I keep my original passport (dual citizenship)?
Yes. Since 27 June 2024, Germany permits multiple citizenship across the board — you no longer have to give up your previous nationality when naturalising. Whether your country of origin allows keeping its citizenship when you acquire another is a separate question of that country's law.
How much does naturalisation cost and how long does it take?
The fee is €255 per adult (€51 for a minor child naturalised together with a parent), plus costs for the Einbürgerungstest (€25) and a B1 certificate if you don't have one. Processing time varies hugely: from a few months to well over a year in big cities like Berlin — apply as early as you can.
Is the 'Leben in Deutschland' test the same as the Einbürgerungstest?
The questions are identical — only the purpose differs. For permanent residence you prove basic knowledge of the legal and social order with the 'Leben in Deutschland' test (or a completed integration course); for citizenship you need the Einbürgerungstest with 17 of 33 correct. Practising one prepares you for both.
Ready for the paperwork? See the step-by-step guides: permanent residence, apply for citizenship and extending your residence permit.
TiG Desk — free iPhone app
The letters that come with your residence application, read for you
Photograph an official letter and TiG Desk tells you who sent it, what you have to do and by when — then keeps the document on your phone and reminds you before the deadline. Free, and it works without an account.
Doing this one online instead? TiG Pilot explains each field of the authority's own form while you fill it.