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
- is not committed to the free democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany and Germany's special historical responsibility;
- does not have sufficient knowledge of the German language;
- has no knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany, unless the person concerned is a former guest worker or contract worker of the former GDR or their spouse who joined them at the same time;
- has been convicted of a criminal offense;
- is engaged in anti-constitutional activities;
- is married to more than one spouse at the same time or shows by his/her behavior that he/she disregards the equal rights of men and women laid down in the Basic Law.
The district offices and municipal administrations of the independent cities decide on naturalization applications.