German citizenship for EU citizens: what's different and what isn't

As an EU citizen you are naturalised under the same rules as everyone else: at least five years of lawful residence in Germany, B1 German, a passed citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest), a secure income and a commitment to Germany's free democratic basic order. Two things are different. You don't need a residence permit, because your right of free movement counts. And you could usually keep your nationality even before the 2024 reform. What you gain is mainly the full right to vote – and a right to live in Germany that no longer depends on EU law.

What applies to EU citizens just the same

Many EU citizens assume they can skip the test and the language exam. They can't. The standard requirements of § 10 StAG apply to you:

1. Five years of lawful habitual residence. The shorter three-year route was abolished on 30 October 2025.
2. B1 German, for example a Goethe, telc or ÖSD certificate or the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer. A degree taught in German or vocational training completed in Germany counts too – an English-taught programme doesn't automatically.
3. Citizenship test: 33 questions, at least 17 correct.
4. Income: you can generally support yourself without Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) or social assistance.
5. No relevant criminal convictions – convictions abroad count as well.
6. Commitment to the free democratic basic order and to Germany's historical responsibility.

For the details, see our German citizenship requirements overview. If you mostly use English at work, plan the language exam early – which proofs count is explained in the German language requirement for citizenship.

What's different for EU citizens

No residence permit needed. Other applicants need, for example, a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or an EU Blue Card. As an EU citizen, your right of free movement is a sufficient residence status. For Swiss citizens, the residence permit under the free movement agreement works the same way. So you don't need a settlement permit first – see our comparison permanent residence or German citizenship.

Proving your years of residence. Since you have no residence permit, you usually prove your five years with registration certificates (Meldebescheinigungen). Some authorities also ask for proof of work or income during that time, so keep old employment contracts and payslips.

Dual citizenship was possible before. Until 27 June 2024, applicants generally had to give up their old nationality. For citizens of other EU countries and Switzerland, that rule usually didn't apply even then. Since the reform, multiple citizenship is allowed for everyone. Whether you keep your nationality is up to your home country, though – check with its embassy if in doubt. More in dual citizenship in Germany.

Your rights compared: EU citizen vs German citizen

Why naturalising can still be worth it

A say where the big decisions are made

As an EU citizen in Germany you can already vote in local and European elections – in European elections from the age of 16. You can't vote for the Bundestag or your state parliament – which is where taxes, pensions, schools and immigration are decided. The citizenship test asks about exactly this: in a Bundestag election, anyone who is a German citizen and at least 18 may vote (question 108). How voting works is explained in elections in Germany.

Security if the EU changes

Your right to live in Germany as an EU citizen depends on your country staying in the EU. Brexit showed that this isn't theoretical: British nationals lost their rights as EU citizens in 2020. Those already living in Germany stayed protected by the Withdrawal Agreement but needed a new residence document; those who had already become German didn't have to do anything. As a German citizen you need no residence permit and cannot be expelled – and every German is automatically an EU citizen too.

Careers and public service

EU citizens can generally become civil servants (Beamte) in Germany. Some public service posts can, however, be reserved for Germans because of the tasks involved. A German passport removes that limit.

Children

Children born after your naturalisation are German from birth. Even without naturalisation, children born in Germany are often German already: if one parent has lived here lawfully for five years – free movement counts as an unlimited right of residence. More in German citizenship for children.

How to go about it

1. Check that you have five years of lawful residence and get registration certificates (Meldebescheinigungen) covering that time.
2. Ask your home country's embassy whether you will keep your nationality.
3. Take the B1 exam if you don't have valid proof yet.
4. Register for the citizenship test and practise the questions first, for example with a mock exam.
5. Apply to the naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) where you live and pay the €255 fee. All costs: how much German citizenship costs.

After naturalisation

You are German from the moment the naturalisation certificate is handed to you. From then on, if you are 16 or older, you need a valid German ID card (Personalausweis) or passport. The ID card costs €46 from age 24, the passport €70. You can now also vote in Bundestag and state elections. What else to do is covered in naturalised – what now?.