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A foreigner living in Germany is entitled to naturalization under certain conditions.
Naturalization is the granting of German citizenship to a foreigner. It must be applied for and is carried out by issuing a special naturalization certificate.
A foreigner whose identity and citizenship have been established and who has been legally resident in Germany for five years must be naturalized upon application. Residence is lawful if the foreigner is in Germany as an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement or as another foreigner with the permission of the foreigners authority (e.g. with a settlement permit). Residence is habitual or permanent if the foreigner is willing to live in Germany permanently and permanent residence is made possible.
In principle, there is no entitlement to naturalization if the foreigner
The district offices and municipal administrations of the independent cities decide on naturalization applications.
You are entitled to naturalization if the following requirements are met:
If one of these requirements is not met, you are not entitled to naturalization. However, so-called discretionary naturalization is possible in certain cases (see "Related topics").
Pre-printed forms are available from the district administration authority.
In principle: 255.00 euros
Minor children without their own income who are naturalized together with their parents: 51.00 euros
Additional costs may arise
Foreigners who do not or do not yet meet the requirements for naturalization can be naturalized at their discretion, provided certain conditions are met.
If you live abroad, were once German and would like to become so again, you can apply for re-naturalisation under certain conditions.
If you or your ancestors were deprived of German citizenship during the National Socialist era, you can apply for re-naturalisation under certain conditions.
You can find out about the integration of foreigners who are legally and permanently resident in Germany and asylum seekers with good prospects of staying.
Whether or not German citizenship exists can be decided by the administration in cases of doubt in a generally binding manner.
The registry office checks whether a child of foreign parents has acquired German citizenship by birth in Germany in accordance with Section 4 (3) of the Citizenship Act.