Naturalization in Berlin: requirements, test, dual citizenship, and online application at the LEA
The German version of this page has been changed, this translation has not. Please rely on the German page.
Naturalization means becoming a German citizen. Since 1 January 2024, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) has been responsible for this in Berlin.
As a rule you need five years of lawful residence (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). The former fast-track path after only three years of residence, the so-called „3-Jahres-Turbo-Einbürgerung", was abolished on 30 October 2025 — no transition rule for people already underway has been found.
Spouses of German citizens can be naturalized after three years of residence and two years of marriage (§ 9 StAG).
Since 27 June 2024 you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship — dual citizenship is generally permitted.
The naturalization fee is 255 euros per person (51 euros for minor children naturalized together with a parent). If you don't have a German school diploma, you must also pass the naturalization test: 33 questions in 60 minutes, at least 17 correct, cost 25 euros.
Important: receiving Bürgergeld/Sozialhilfe generally blocks naturalization, with narrow exceptions. Whether your country of origin allows dual citizenship depends on its own law — ask that country's representation.
Not sure whether this route fits you or what comes first? We assess your situation for free and name the right contact points.
Reply by email, usually within two working days. Free, no legal advice in individual cases.
- Check your residence periodAs a rule, five years of lawful residence in Germany are required (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). Spouses of German citizens need three years of residence plus two years of marriage (§ 9 StAG). The former three-year fast-track path was abolished on 30 October 2025.
- Check whether your livelihood is securedYou generally must be able to support yourself and your dependents without Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe. A narrow exception exists for people who worked full-time for at least 20 of the last 24 months (§ 10 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 StAG).
- Clarify the citizenship question with your country of originSince 27 June 2024, you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship for German naturalization. Whether your country of origin also allows dual citizenship depends on its own law — ask its embassy or consulate.
- Prepare for the naturalization test if neededIf you don't hold a German school diploma, you must pass the Einbürgerungstest: 33 questions (30 general plus 3 about the Bundesland), 60 minutes, at least 17 correct answers, cost 25 euros. The BAMF administers the test.
- Apply online at the LEAFile your naturalization application with the Landesamt für Einwanderung, responsible in Berlin since 1 January 2024. The fee is 255 euros per person, 51 euros for minor children naturalized together with a parent.
- Be careful with repeated applicationsSubmitting the digital application repeatedly triggers an additional fee each time, with no refund. Make sure your application is complete before submitting.
- The 3-year fast-track naturalization path was abolished with no transition rule found for people who had already begun the process — no confirmed information is available for this. If you were relying on it, get advice immediately.
- Whether your country of origin permits dual citizenship depends on that country's own law. Ask that country's embassy or consulate — no confirmed information is available for this here.
- Receiving Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe generally blocks naturalization. A narrow exception exists for people who worked full-time for at least 20 of the last 24 months (§ 10 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 StAG).
- Repeated submission of the digital application triggers an additional fee each time, with no refund.
In depth · Legal basis, figures and practice – for counsellors and professionals
Legal basis (federal law, StAG as amended from 30.10.2025)
Under § 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 StAG, a person must be naturalized who has had their lawful habitual residence in Germany for five years, has legal capacity under § 34 Satz 1 StAG or is legally represented, and whose identity and nationality have been established, if they: profess allegiance to the free democratic basic order and pursue no activities directed against the constitution (Nr. 1); profess Germany’s special historical responsibility and commitment to peaceful coexistence (Nr. 1a); hold an unlimited right of residence or one of the residence titles named in the law (Nr. 2); can support themselves and their dependents without benefits under SGB II or SGB XII — with exceptions for, among others, workers recruited before 1974, people who were in full-time employment for at least 20 of the last 24 months, and their spouses with a minor child (Nr. 3); have not been convicted of an unlawful act (Nr. 5); have adequate German language skills (Nr. 6); and have knowledge of the legal and social order and of living conditions in Germany (Nr. 7). Number 4 has been repealed (weggefallen). The language proof corresponds to level B1 (§ 10 Absatz 4 StAG); the knowledge required under Nr. 7 is generally proven by successfully passing the Einbürgerungstest (naturalization test) (§ 10 Absatz 5 StAG). Nr. 6 and 7 are waived in cases of illness, disability, or age (§ 10 Absatz 6 StAG). Which convictions are disregarded is governed by § 12a Absatz 1 StAG: educational measures and disciplinary measures under the Jugendgerichtsgesetz (Youth Courts Act), fines of up to 90 Tagesätze (daily fine units), and prison sentences of up to 3 months where the sentence was suspended and later discharged after the probation period. This does not apply where an antisemitic, racist, or otherwise inhumane motive has been established. Multiple sentences are aggregated.
2025 change: end of 3-year naturalization
With the Gesetz zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes sowie weiterer Vorschriften (Act Amending the Nationality Act and Other Provisions, BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256), in force since 30.10.2025, § 10 Absatz 3 StAG was deleted. Since June 2024, it had allowed naturalization after three years for people with special integration achievements and German language skills at level C1. § 10 Absatz 3 and 3a StAG now read „(weggefallen)“ ("repealed"). The Bundestag had passed the law on 08.10.2025. Per asyl.net, fewer than 200 applications were filed under the three-year rule in 2024.
Spouses and civil partners of German citizens (§ 9 StAG)
They are to be naturalized under the conditions of § 10 Absatz 1 StAG if they have had their lawful habitual residence in Germany for three years and the marriage or civil partnership has existed for two years. Minor children can be co-naturalized, even without three years of residence. § 10 Absatz 4, 4a, 5, and 6 StAG apply correspondingly.
Dual citizenship
§ 12 StAG has been repealed. Per the LEA, applicants for naturalization no longer have to give up their previous citizenship as of 27.06.2024. The Berlin service page nonetheless mentions „zusätzliche Kosten für Entlassung aus Heimatstaatsangehörigkeit“ ("additional costs for release from the citizenship of the home country") — this concerns cases where someone voluntarily gives up their previous citizenship, or is required to under their home country’s own law.
Naturalization test (BAMF)
33 questions (30 general questions, 3 about the Bundesland), 60 minutes, passed with at least 17 correct answers; cost 25 euros. Registration is through the naturalization authority, which provides information about test centers. Exempt is anyone who has obtained a German school-leaving qualification, or who cannot meet the requirements due to illness, disability, or age.
Implementation in Berlin
Since 01.01.2024, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) has been responsible for naturalization of everyone living in Berlin; per its own statement, it took over approximately 40,000 open cases as of 01.01.2024, and longer waiting times are to be expected. Applications under §§ 8, 9, and 10 StAG should be filed online, preferably after the Quick-Check; applications filed by other means are processed with lower priority. The LEA does not answer inquiries about case status. Fee per service.berlin.de: 255.00 euros per person, 51.00 euros for children under 16 who file jointly with a parent who has custody. The service page lists as required documents: passport or ID card, Personenstandsurkunden (civil-status certificates), language proof, proof of health insurance, proof of income and employment, rental contract or Grundbuchauszug (land register extract), and Meldebestätigung (registration confirmation). Naturalization certificates are issued only once; certified copies cost 51 euros.
Open points
Specific processing time in Berlin: no confirmed information is available for this. Ermessenseinbürgerung (discretionary naturalization) under § 8 StAG was not evaluated in detail.
- What is “Naturalization in Berlin” about?
- Since 1 January 2024, the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) has been responsible for naturalization in Berlin. Five years of lawful residence are generally required, dual citizenship is now permitted, and the naturalization test costs 25 euros.
- Which deadlines and figures matter?
- 5 years of lawful habitual residence: Entitlement-based naturalization (Anspruchseinbürgerung) (§ 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 StAG)
- abolished as of 30.10.2025: Shortening to 3 years for special integration achievements and German level C1 (formerly § 10 Absatz 3 StAG, in effect since June 2024) (Gesetz zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes sowie weiterer Vorschriften, BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256)
- 3 years of residence and 2 years of marriage or civil partnership: Naturalization of spouses and registered civil partners of German citizens (presumptive rule) (§ 9 Absatz 1 StAG)
- 1 year after the death of the German spouse or the divorce becoming final: Application deadline for § 9 StAG to continue applying, where a minor German child from the marriage lives in the household (§ 9 Absatz 2 StAG)
- 20 months full-time within the last 24 months: Exception to the exclusion for receiving social benefits (§ 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Nummer 3 StAG)
- What should I do first?
- Check your residence period: As a rule, five years of lawful residence in Germany are required (§ 10 Abs. 1 StAG). Spouses of German citizens need three years of residence plus two years of marriage (§ 9 StAG). The former three-year fast-track path was abolished on 30 October 2025.
- Check whether your livelihood is secured: You generally must be able to support yourself and your dependents without Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe. A narrow exception exists for people who worked full-time for at least 20 of the last 24 months (§ 10 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 StAG).
- Clarify the citizenship question with your country of origin: Since 27 June 2024, you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship for German naturalization. Whether your country of origin also allows dual citizenship depends on its own law — ask its embassy or consulate.
- What should I watch out for?
- The 3-year fast-track naturalization path was abolished with no transition rule found for people who had already begun the process — no confirmed information is available for this. If you were relying on it, get advice immediately.
- Whether your country of origin permits dual citizenship depends on that country's own law. Ask that country's embassy or consulate — no confirmed information is available for this here.
- Receiving Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe generally blocks naturalization. A narrow exception exists for people who worked full-time for at least 20 of the last 24 months (§ 10 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 3 StAG).
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