German citizenship for older people: the easier rules explained

Older applicants do get easier rules for German citizenship – but not automatically from a certain age. If age, illness or disability makes it impossible for you to learn B1 German or pass the citizenship test, you are exempt from both (§ 10(6) StAG). You usually prove this with a medical certificate. Since 27 June 2024, the guest-worker generation and former contract workers in the GDR have their own rules: everyday spoken German is enough, there is no citizenship test, and there is an exception on income.

Exemption because of age, illness or disability

The law says the language and test requirements are waived if you cannot meet them because of a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, or because of your age. If the conditions are met, the authority must waive them – this is not at its discretion – and it may not ask for a lower level of knowledge instead.

The key point: age alone is not enough. According to the Federal Interior Ministry's official guidance, the authority checks case by case whether you could still realistically reach B1 and learn what the test covers. It looks at things such as your schooling, your ability to learn and your circumstances.

How to prepare the proof:

• Ask your doctor for a certificate that names the diagnosis and explains how it affects your ability to learn German.
• For an illness, authorities usually expect a certificate from a specialist.
• If the limitation is obvious, a certificate may not be needed – but the authority can also ask for a medical report.

There is also a hardship rule (§ 10(4a) StAG): if you can't reach B1 despite serious and sustained efforts – for example because you care for a close relative – everyday spoken German may be enough. In that case the citizenship test is waived too. All exemptions: who doesn't have to take the German citizenship test. Which language certificates are otherwise accepted is explained in the German language requirement for citizenship.

Guest workers and contract workers: the rules since 2024

With the reform of 27 June 2024, lawmakers recognised the generation that helped build the country but often received few language or integration courses. The special rules apply to you if you

• came to West Germany under a recruitment agreement by 30 June 1974 – there were agreements with Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and Yugoslavia, among others,
• came to the GDR as a contract worker (Vertragsarbeiter) by 13 June 1990 – for example from Vietnam, Mozambique, Angola, Cuba or Poland,
• or joined one of these workers as their spouse within a reasonable time, as a rule within ten years.

Then:

• Language: it is enough if you can get by in everyday spoken German without major problems. There is no written exam. An A1 certificate counts as proof; without one, the authority assesses your German in a conversation, for example about yourself, your family and your application.
• Citizenship test: not required.
• Income: receiving basic income support in old age, other social assistance or Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) does not block your naturalisation as long as you are not responsible for needing it.

You have to make your status credible. Old employment contracts, work permits, residence permits or visas help. If the papers are gone, your pension notice or your insurance record from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension insurance) can help. The authority can also look up the date of your first entry in the official foreigners' register.

Pensions and the income requirement

Your own pension counts as income. If it covers your living costs – alone or with other income – you meet this requirement.

It gets difficult with Grundsicherung im Alter (basic income support in old age). It is a form of social assistance (SGB XII), and since 27 June 2024 there are only three statutory exceptions to the income requirement. For pensioners, usually only the guest-worker and contract-worker rule fits; the other two are tied to full-time employment in the family.

Everyone else can only apply for discretionary naturalisation under § 8 StAG, with a case-by-case assessment. According to the Interior Ministry's guidance, this is mainly an option if you worked for many years on low wages and therefore receive top-up support. Time spent raising children in Germany is taken into account. If, on the other hand, you didn't work or build up a pension for many years although you could have, your chances are slim. More in the income requirement for German citizenship.

Who qualifies for what?

All other requirements – such as five years of lawful residence, no relevant criminal convictions and the commitment to the constitution – apply to every group. The full picture is in our German citizenship requirements overview.

Dual citizenship: an old obstacle is gone

In the past, you usually had to give up your old nationality to become German. For many in the guest-worker generation, that was a reason not to apply. Since 27 June 2024 Germany no longer requires it. Whether you keep your current nationality is decided by your home country, though. More in dual citizenship in Germany.

Practical tips for your application

1. Get advice. The migration advice service for adults (Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer) helps free of charge with questions about authorities and applications. Find a service near you via BAMF-NAvI.
2. Collect old papers early. Old passports, employment contracts and work permits are valuable. You can request a current insurance record from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. What else the authority asks for: documents for German citizenship.
3. Involve your family. Children or grandchildren can help with forms and online applications and come along to appointments.
4. Mention the easier rules up front. Say at your first contact if you came as a guest worker or have a medical certificate. Authorities are now expected to hold a personal appointment with applicants as a rule.
5. Ask about the fee. Naturalisation costs €255. In some cases a reduction, a waiver or payment in instalments is possible.

If you do have to take the citizenship test, learn in small steps: a few practice questions every day work better than long sessions.