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German for Naturalisation (Einbürgerung)

German citizenship after 5 years of residence, with B1 German and the naturalisation test.

German level: B1

Exams that count: Goethe-Zertifikat, telc Deutsch, ÖSD, DTZ

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Rules for this route

Citizenship (Einbürgerung)

Last checked 2026-09-30

German citizenship after 5 years of legal residence.

Goethe B1 format

Conditions

5 years of legal, habitual residence in Germany
A B1 language exam. Aim for B1 in every skill, for example Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ)
The naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest)
A permanent residence right, a Blue Card or another qualifying residence permit
You can support yourself and your family without benefits, with some exceptions

Watch-outs

The faster route after 3 years was abolished on 30 October 2025; 5 years is now the rule for everyone.
An overall B1 on the DTZ, with a lower mark in one skill, is not accepted everywhere.

Official sources

FAQ

Citizenship (Einbürgerung)

German citizenship after 5 years of legal residence. Last checked 2026-09-30