Marrying someone from another country is romantic and exciting, but it also comes with extensive paperwork and tough decisions about where to live.
If you decide to settle with a spouse in Germany, at least you’ll have a pretty straightforward path to citizenship and the right to stay in the country. But of course there are a few hoops to jump through.
Here’s what you need to know.
Requirements for citizenship
In Germany it’s understood that an individual who marries a German citizen should have a decent shot at becoming a German citizen themselves.
In fact until 1970 marrying a German made you a citizen of the Bundesreublik automatically. Since then, however, a few requirements have been added.
Since changes to Germany’s citizenship law passed in 2024, even residents with no familial ties can qualify for citizenship in five years.
READ ALSO: CHECKLIST - What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?
In comparison, the pathway to citizenship through marriage is just a little bit quicker and may be easier in some cases.
The basic requirements for citizenship through marriage include:
- Being married to a German citizen (for at least two years)
- Having lived in Germany (for three years)
- Being financially secure
- Having basic German language skills (B1 level)
- Having an understanding of the German legal and social order
Additionally you should not have been convicted of a serious crime in Germany.
What kind of proof is required?
To qualify for citizenship you must have been married to a German national for at least two years at the time of the application.
Your marriage also needs to be on the books in Germany. So if you were married abroad, you’ll first need to go through the process to have the marriage formally recognised.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED - How to have your marriage abroad recognised in Germany
The marriage can then be proven with a copy of your marriage certificate added to your application.
You’ll also need to prove your own residence in Germany (with visas, address registrations, etc.)
If your partner is a native born German national, you need to have lived in the country for three years in total. But if your partner naturalised themselves, then this requirement is extended to four years.
Previous time in the country counts toward your total residency period, but at least two consecutive years of residency are required leading up to the time of application.
To prove financial stability you’ll need to provide bank statements or payslips. If your partner supports you financially, you’ll need to show evidence of that, such as through joint-bank statements.
Generally German language skills can be proven through a proficiency test. In this case you would need to pass at the B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Finally, you’ll demonstrate your understanding of the German social, political and legal systems via your citizenship test.
The process
Given the above requirements, the fastest track to German citizenship through marriage would take at least three years. You would be qualified today, for instance, if you moved to Germany three years ago and had married a citizen by the end of your first year of residency.
Regardless of the specific timeline however, the process for applying for citizenship is basically the same for everyone.
First you should double-check your eligibility and gather the documents mentioned above. Note that some specific requirements for documents can differ from state to state or city to city. It’s always best to double check which documents are required with your local immigration or naturalisation office before applying.
Then you can complete your application and submit it with the documents at your local immigration or naturalisation office. You’ll also need to pay a €255 application fee.
Finally, if your application is approved, you’ll attend a citizenship ceremony where you take the Oath of Allegiance to Germany and officially become a citizen.
Other noteworthy details
Since same-sex marriage has been recognised in Germany since 2017, naturalisation through marriage is also an option for same-sex couples.
It is possible to apply for citizenship through marriage from abroad, but this is definitely the exception rather than the rule. Applicants will still have to prove a strong connection to Germany and that they are familiar with the language, culture and legal system. In addition, they may have to convince the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) that their naturalisation would be a benefit for the country as a whole.
READ ALSO: Can you apply for German citizenship through marriage while living abroad?
The process here is essentially the same for EU and non-EU spouses, but those coming from outside the EU may also need to provide added documents to prove their legal entry to Germany, like a passport.
Should you get divorced later, your citizenship should not be threatened in most cases. However exceptions could be made if, for example, the divorce came immediately after you became a citizen.
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