Prospects of staying

German citizenship gives you rights and obligations. This means that you can vote in Germany and freely choose your place of residence within the EU. You also have advantages and simplifications when traveling to countries outside the EU. With German citizenship, you no longer need a residence permit and are not dependent on foreign consulates to obtain a passport.

You can also keep your previous citizenship and also receive German citizenship.

The Quickcheck of the Federal Government gives you a good overview of whether it is worthwhile for you to apply for German citizenship.

1. Duration of residence: You have been in Germany legally for at least 5 years or at least 3 years if you are married to a German person.
2. Residence permit: You have a permanent residence permit. A temporary residence permit is only partially sufficient if it can lead to permanent residence in Germany, for example the EU Blue Card.
3. Proof of identity: Your identity and nationality have been established.
4. Securing your livelihood: You can support yourself and your family without state assistance.
5. Commitmentto the Basic Law: You are committed to the free and democratic basic order of the Basic Law.
6. Commitmentto Germany's historical responsibility: You acknowledge Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime and its consequences.
7. German language skills: Proof of language proficiency at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (e.g. through certificates or language tests).
8. General knowledge of Germany: You have knowledge of the law, society and everyday life in Germany.
9. No criminal record: You have no criminal record.

There are exceptions and simplifications to the requirements for naturalization in certain cases. Ask your local naturalization authority about this.

If you would like to apply for German citizenship, submit a written application to your naturalization authority. In Chemnitz, Dresden or Leipzig, this is the city administration. In other regions, you should contact the district office.

Use the "Apply for naturalization" service on Amt24 to find your naturalization authority. Under "Competent authority", click on "Enter location" and enter your place of residence.

Persons aged 16 and over can submit the application themselves. For children under the age of 16, parents or legal guardians are responsible.

Your naturalization authority will tell you which documents you need. All foreign-language documents must be translated.

The cost is 255 euro per person (as of 2025). For children without their own income who are naturalized together with their parents, the fee is 51 euro (as of 2025).

You can prove your German language skills with the following documents:

• Certificate of participation from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) that you have received after successfully completing a language course
• Certificate "German test for immigrants"
• Degree certificate from a German-speaking institution of higher education (e.g. university or university of applied sciences)

So-called integration courses help you to learn the language. You can find an integration course near you via the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

You can prove your knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany with the following documents:

• Certificate "German Test for Immigrants" with at least 17 out of 33 correctly answered questions
• Certificate of naturalization test
• German school-leaving certificate

You can register for the naturalization test at the test centres in Saxony designated by the BAMF.

You can practice for the test in the BAMF's"Online Test Center" with sample questions. There are also preparation courses at various educational institutions and language schools. Ask your local naturalization authority or the test centres for the naturalization test.

At the end of the naturalization process, you will receive your naturalization certificate in person. This makes your naturalization official.

If you have been living and working in Saxony for a long time, you can apply for a settlement permit from your foreigners authority. This allows you to live permanently in Saxony with your family.

In certain cases, a settlement permit can be issued under simplified conditions if you:

• are a holder of an EU Blue Card,
• have completed a course of study or vocational training in Germany,
• are a highly qualified specialist or
• are self-employed.

You are considered a "skilled worker" if you belong to one of the following groups:

• You have successfully completed qualified vocational training in Germany or you have a foreign professional qualification that is equivalent to a German one,
• You have a German university degree, a recognized foreign university degree or a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German one,
• You are a holder of an EU Blue Card,
• You are a researcher

Requirements for a settlement permit for skilled workers

As a skilled worker, you can obtain a settlement permit if you meet the following conditions:

• You have held a residence permit for skilled workers for three years. You are able to support yourself without state assistance,
• You have made compulsory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 36 months,
• You are working in a job that is permitted by your residence permit,
• You have German language skills at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),
• You have basic knowledge of the German legal and social system and of living conditions in Germany (proven by the"Living in Germany" test),
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members.

If you have an EU Blue Card, you can apply for a settlement permit if you meet the following requirements:

• You have been in qualified employment for at least 27 months and have paid into the statutory pension insurance scheme,
• You have German language skills at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),
• You are working in a job that is permitted by your residence permit,
• You have sufficient living space,
• You are able to support yourself,
• You have a basic knowledge of the German legal and social system and of living conditions in Germany (proven by the"Living in Germany" test).

If you have successfully completed a course of study or vocational training in Germany, the following rules apply:

• You have held a residence permit as a skilled worker for at least two years,
• You are in gainful employment as permitted by your residence permit,
• You have paid into the statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 24 months,
• You have German language skills at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and basic knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany,
• You have sufficient living space,
• You are able to support yourself.

Under certain circumstances, highly qualified specialists can receive a settlement permit immediately without having to stay in Germany for a minimum period of time. This applies to teachers or researchers in special positions with several years of professional experience. You must also fulfill the following conditions:

• You must have completed an academic education,
• You must be able to support yourself without state assistance.

If you are self-employed and have a residence permit for this purpose, you can apply for a settlement permit after just three years, provided you meet the following conditions:

• You have a valid residence permit for self-employment,

• You have been self-employed for at least three years,

• Your business is economically successful,

• You are able to support yourself and your family independently.

If you work as a freelancer, a settlement permit is only possible after five years.

If you have joined your spouse or registered partner in Germany, you can obtain a settlement permit after some time if:

• Your spouse or partner has a settlement permit as a skilled worker in accordance with §18c AufenthG,

• you have had a residence permit for at least three years,

• you work at least 20 hours per week and have a work permit,

• you live together with your spouse or registered partner in a marital partnership,

• you can provide proof of German language skills at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• you are able to support yourself.

• you have a basic knowledge of the German legal and social system and of living conditions in Germany.