Naturalisation
Performance specification
Foreigners may apply for German citizenship under certain conditions. As a rule, the following requirements must be met:
The applicant,
- has been legally resident in Germany for at least five years (can be shortened to up to three years if there are special integration achievements and the applicant can support himself and his dependants and German language skills of level C1 are proven)
- has a qualified right of residence with the prospect of permanent residence in Germany (EU citizen, settlement or residence permit)
- is able to support him/herself and his/her dependent family members (principle: securing his/her own livelihood and that of his/her dependent family members without claiming benefits under Social Code II or XII)
- gives up previous nationality if necessary (in cases where the home country does not permit / provide for multiple nationality)
- has no criminal record,
- has sufficient knowledge of German (at least level B1 or better),
- has basic civic knowledge (e.g. through a naturalisation test)
- is committed to the free democratic basic order (loyalty to the constitution)
- has a clarified identity and nationality (usually proven by a passport / identity card from the home country)
- ensures integration into German living conditions (in particular no polygamous marriages).
What are the fees?
The fee for naturalisation is € 255.00 (also for naturalisation of a child alone) and is only reduced to € 51.00 for children to be naturalised. Since 1 July 2011, this fee has been charged upon receipt of the application by the Regional Council in Kassel.
Legal basis
Nationality Act (StAG)
What else should I know?
Due to the high number of applications, a processing time of around one year from the date of application is to be expected. Special case constellations may require a longer processing time.
You will make it easier to process your naturalisation application if you submit all the required documents at once. Processing of the application can only begin once all the required documents have been submitted.
Further information can be found here.
Who do I need to contact?
Naturalisation applications are accepted by towns and municipalities with more than 7,500 inhabitants, otherwise by the district. Initial counselling also takes place there.
Naturalisation applications are submitted to the competent cities and municipalities (lower administrative authorities). The cities and municipalities that have more than 7,500 inhabitants are responsible for the naturalisation tasks themselves. For all other municipalities, the district committee takes action.
The naturalisation authorities (decision-making authorities) in Hesse are the 3 regional councils: Darmstadt Regional Council, Gießen Regional Council, Kassel Regional Council.