Naturalisation

With the help of the Quick Check page – non-binding assessment of requirements – you can check, without obligation, whether you meet the requirements for obtaining German citizenship. Please note: The decision on whether you can become a German citizen is made by the Salzlandkreis district authority after you have submitted your application and all the necessary documents.

The requirements at a glance

As a rule, you must meet each of the following requirements in order to be eligible for naturalisation (known as ‘entitlement to naturalisation’):

• They have been living in Germany legally and ordinarily for five years.
• You can prove your identity and your current citizenship(s).
• You have an unlimited right of residence or a permanent residence permit.
• You can finance the living expenses for yourself and your dependent family members. This includes your spouse and, for example, your children for whom you pay maintenance.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German, at least at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• They have sufficient knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.
• They are committed to the free democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• They acknowledge Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime and its consequences, in particular for the protection of Jewish life, as well as for the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging a war of aggression.
• You have not been convicted of a criminal offence.

There are no other reasons that would prevent naturalisation (so-called "grounds for exclusion").
These include:

• You have pursued or supported endeavours that are directed against the free democratic basic order, or you have violated the constitution.
• You had anti-constitutional convictions in the past. In this case, you must credibly demonstrate to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the citizenship authority that you no longer hold these beliefs.
• They disregard the equal rights of men and women laid down in the Basic Law.
• You are married to several people at the same time (so-called "polygamous marriage").
• You are married to a person who is married to several people at the same time. The citizenship authority will check whether naturalisation is ruled out for you.

Please use the Quick-Check to check whether you fulfil the requirements for naturalisation.

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for naturalisation. Please complete the naturalisation application form in full and send it electronically or by post. You will then receive confirmation of receipt.