Naturalised – what now? Certificate, ID card and voting rights

You become a German citizen at the moment your naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) is handed to you – not when the authority calls or writes to say you've been approved. Just before that, everyone aged 16 or over makes the solemn declaration under Section 16 StAG, normally at a naturalisation ceremony. Afterwards you apply for a German ID card or passport at the Bürgeramt, because anyone living in Germany must hold one from the age of 16. And from that day on you can vote – in federal elections from 18.

Naturalisation day: declaration and certificate

Under Section 16 StAG, naturalisation takes effect when the certificate is handed over. Since 2024 this should take place at a public naturalisation ceremony (Einbürgerungsfeier). Before the handover you say the following sentence in German (children under 16 don't have to) – in English it means roughly:

Your naturalisation certificate is your key proof of German citizenship. Keep the original somewhere safe and make copies and a scan; the Bürgeramt will usually want to see it when you apply for your first ID. How the procedure up to this day works is covered in how to apply for German citizenship.

Getting your ID card and passport

From 16, you must hold a valid ID card (Personalausweis) or passport (Reisepass). You apply for both at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) where you have your main residence – book an appointment soon after the ceremony. Bring your naturalisation certificate and your current passport. Passport photos are digital now: you have yours taken at the Bürgeramt itself or by a photo service. Your Bürgeramt's website lists exactly what it needs.

These fees have applied since 7 February 2026 (Personalausweisportal, in German). For travel within the EU, the ID card is usually enough. Every cost along the way is listed in how much German citizenship costs.

Your new rights

As a naturalised citizen you have exactly the same rights and duties as every other German. The most important:

• Vote and stand for election: Bundestag from 18 (question 108), European Parliament from 16, state and local elections from 16 or 18 depending on the state. You can also run for political office yourself.
• Rights reserved for Germans: the Basic Law guarantees freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of movement and free choice of occupation specifically to Germans (Art. 8, Art. 9(1), Art. 11 and Art. 12).
• Secure right to live in Germany: you no longer need a residence permit, you can't be expelled, and long stays abroad no longer put your right to return at risk.
• EU citizenship: you can live and work in any EU country.
• Travel and protection: a German passport gives visa-free travel to many countries, and German embassies and consulates can help you abroad.
• Public service: you have access to civil servant (Beamte) status, including posts reserved for German citizens.

If you were already an EU citizen, you could vote in local and European elections before; what's new for you is mainly federal and state elections. For a side-by-side comparison with permanent residence, see permanent residence or German citizenship.

Voting and new duties

Before every election your municipality sends you a polling card (Wahlbenachrichtigung) – see question 126. If you're naturalised shortly before an election and nothing arrives, ask your municipality whether you're on the electoral register. Instead of going to the polling station, you can also vote by post. How first and second votes work is explained in elections in Germany.

There are new duties as well, such as these two. From 16 you must hold a valid ID. And if you're asked, as a German citizen you have to serve as a volunteer poll worker (Wahlhelfer) – see question 282. For an easy overview of the Bundestag, Bundesrat and government, read Germany's political system explained.

Your previous citizenship

Since 27 June 2024 Germany no longer requires you to give up your previous citizenship, and Germans no longer lose German citizenship when they take on another one. Whether you keep your old one, though, is decided solely by your other country: some countries revoke it, others require permission. Check with its embassy or consulate – more in dual citizenship in Germany.

Children: who is now German automatically

Children born after your naturalisation are normally German from birth, because one parent is German. Special rules apply to births abroad – ask the German embassy or consulate. Minor children born before your naturalisation don't become German automatically: they have to be naturalised with you or apply separately. If your children weren't naturalised with you, ask your authority which route fits now. Details in German citizenship for children.

Checklist: your first steps as a German citizen

1. Secure your certificate: keep the original safe and make copies and a scan.
2. Book the Bürgeramt: apply for an ID card and, if needed, a passport – required from 16.
3. Check your other country's rules: find out whether you keep your old citizenship and what you need to do.
4. Check your children: were all minor children naturalised with you? If not, talk to the authority.
5. Sort out your residence permit: you don't need it any more – ask the immigration office whether to hand the card in.
6. Update where you showed your permit: where you used to show your residence permit, for example to an employer, your German ID now does the job.
7. Keep an eye on elections: watch for your polling card and ask your municipality if in doubt.