A earlier version of this article was first published in 2023. It has been updated, as of December 2025, to reflect recent changes to Germany's Naturalisation Act.
Becoming German is a big step but it gives you all sorts of benefits from the practical - no more renewing residency cards - to more intangible benefits such as being able to play an active role in the democracy of your new home and a feeling of belonging in your community.
READ ALSO: What's the difference between German citizenship and residency?
For a long time, dual citizenship allowing you to keep your other passport as well as gain a German one was reserved for EU and Swiss citizens, or those with German parents. But that changed in 2024 with a citizenship law reform that also reduced the residency requirement to naturalise.
So when can you make your application? And which requirements do you need to meet?
First of all, it depends on how you are applying - through descent, through marriage or through residency. Here's what you need to know to get started.
Descent
The quickest route to German citizenship is through family ties.
In most cases, if either of your parents were German citizens you likely qualify for a German passport as well.
However, if the parents are unmarried and only the father is a German national, the child only attains German citizenship if the father effectively recognizes his paternity according to German law.
Also, since January 1st, 2000, children with at least one German parent who were born outside of the country can only acquire German nationality if their birth was reported to the relevant competent German mission abroad before the child's first birthday.
More info is provided by Germany's Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
It is usually not enough to have a German grandparent or great grandparent, if your own parents were not German citizens at the time of your birth. One exception here is for the descendants of people who were denationalised by the National Socialists (Nazis). In this case, you would qualify to effectively re-naturalise as German without any need to meet the German language requirement.
READ ALSO: Who is entitled to German citizenship by descent and how to apply for it
Under current laws, children born in Germany, even to two non-German parents, gain German nationality at birth if one of their parents has resided in the country for five years and has the unlimited right to remain in the country.
If the parents do not yet meet that residency requirement, their child effectively has the same residency status as their parents. In this case, the child becomes German if one of the parents does later, or when they turn five years old, assuming they have lived in the country with a parent who has legally resided there during those years.
READ ALSO: How to apply for German citizenship for a baby born in Germany to foreign parents
Marriage
If you are applying for naturalisation through marriage, simply being married to a German is not enough, although it is the first step.
In general, the non-German spouse qualifies for naturalization after three years of legal residence in the Federal Republic if you have already been married for two years.
You also need to fulfil the basic German knowledge, language and financial requirements for citizenship (see below).
READ ALSO: How to become a German citizen through marriage
Residency
The most common way for foreigners to apply for German citizenship is through residency. In this case you'll need to have lived in Germany for at least five years before you qualify.
You also need to meet a few other requirements. These include; B1 level German language skills, having basic knowledge about German law, society, and way of life, and being able to demonstrate financial security.
CHECKLIST: What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?
Additionally you should not have been convicted of a serious crime in Germany.
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