How to become a German citizen in 2026: every step of Einbürgerung
Naturalisation in Germany (Einbürgerung) is applied for at your local naturalisation office, the Einbürgerungsbehörde. Before you apply you need five years of residence, German at level B1, a pass in the naturalisation test, and the means to support yourself. The figures below come from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the law on the naturalisation test, read on 22 October 2026. Your office has the final word on your case, and rules can change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Step 1: check the requirements
The BAMF lists these requirements:
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Residence | Five years of ordinary, regular residence in Germany |
| Residence right | An unlimited right of residence, or certain qualifying permits, when you are naturalised |
| German | Sufficient German at level B1 of the Common European Framework |
| Civic knowledge | A pass in the naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest), or an equivalent |
| Livelihood | You can support yourself and your dependants without Bürgergeld or other benefits under SGB II or XII |
| Constitution | A commitment to the free democratic basic order, and to Germany's historical responsibility for the injustice of the Nazi regime |
| Record | No criminal conviction |
Step 2: prove your German (B1)
A B1 result in the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer at the end of an integration course counts as proof, as do other recognised B1 certificates. If you are preparing for one, our Goethe-Zertifikat practice covers B1 reading and listening.
Step 3: pass the Einbürgerungstest
The test is 33 questions on paper in 60 minutes, each with four answers: 30 on living in a democracy, history and society, and 3 on the Land you live in. For naturalisation you need 17 right. The BAMF gives the test fee as €25. The questions come from a published catalogue of 300 general questions and 10 for each of the 16 Länder. A pass of 17 in the integration course's Leben in Deutschland test also counts. A German school-leaving certificate can replace the test, and illness, disability or age can excuse you from it.
Prepare here: sit the free Leben in Deutschland practice test without an account: 33 questions in German, a new draw each time, marked at 17. Every question has an In English line you can open, with the question and answers in English and the hard words explained, while the German stays exactly as on the day. Choose your Land on the exam page so the last three questions are about it. Our questions are written for this site, not taken from the BAMF catalogue. The test guide explains how to register.
Step 4: apply at your naturalisation office
Apply to the Einbürgerungsbehörde for where you live; the forms are available there. The BAMF suggests a consultation first, and your Ausländerbehörde or your city or district administration can tell you which office is responsible. The fee is €255 per adult and €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent. It can be reduced or paid in instalments on a very low income or with several children.
Step 5: receive your naturalisation certificate
If your application is approved, you become a German citizen when the naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) is handed to you.