The loyalty declaration for German citizenship explained

When you become a German citizen, you sign a commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law (Bekenntnis zur freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung) and a declaration of loyalty (Loyalitätserklärung). Since 27 June 2024 you also commit to Germany's special historical responsibility. Shortly before your naturalisation certificate is handed over, you make a solemn oral declaration as well. None of this is a mere formality: the authority checks that you understand what you are signing and that you mean it.

What you sign and declare

The authority must explain the declarations to you beforehand, in writing and in person, and you must sign them yourself. Children under 16 don't make them. If you pursued or supported anti-constitutional activities in the past, you can only naturalise if you credibly show that you have turned away from them.

What the free democratic basic order means

The free democratic basic order is the core of Germany's constitution, the Basic Law: the principles on which democracy and freedom in Germany rest. The wording set out by the Federal Ministry of the Interior includes:

• Human dignity and human rights: human dignity is inviolable (Article 1). Fundamental rights apply, such as freedom of expression, of the press and of religion, and equal rights for women and men.
• Popular sovereignty and free elections: all state authority comes from the people. Parliament is elected in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
• Separation of powers: legislation, the executive and the judiciary are held by separate bodies.
• Rule of law: lawmakers are bound by the constitution; government, administration and courts are bound by law and justice.
• Opposition and change of government: there may be a parliamentary opposition that holds the government to account. The government answers to parliament and can be replaced.
• Independent courts: no minister or party can tell judges how to decide.
• No rule by force or arbitrary power: dictatorship is ruled out.
• Hatred is incompatible: since 2024 the law states explicitly that acts motivated by antisemitism, racism or other contempt for human beings violate human dignity.

The commitment also means accepting that democratically passed laws take precedence, even where they conflict with religious rules. You remain free to practise your faith: state and religious communities are separate, and freedom of religion is a fundamental right.

Much of this will be familiar from the citizenship test – for example question 18 on human dignity or question 145 on the separation of powers. For an accessible overview, read the Basic Law and fundamental rights.

The 2024 addition: historical responsibility

Since 27 June 2024 you commit to Germany's special historical responsibility for the Nazi regime's injustice and its consequences, in particular for protecting Jewish life, as well as to the peaceful coexistence of nations and the ban on waging a war of aggression.

The Basic Law was written as a counter-model to the Nazi dictatorship, which murdered six million European Jews. According to the Federal Interior Ministry's application guidelines, the commitment means among other things rejecting antisemitism in every form, not denying or playing down the Holocaust, and recognising Germany's special relationship with Israel, including Israel's right to exist. The citizenship test covers this too – see citizenship test questions on National Socialism and World War II.

What is incompatible with the commitment

Under section 10(1) and section 11 StAG, naturalisation is ruled out if any of the following applies:

• Acts of contempt for human beings: antisemitic, racist or otherwise inhumane behaviour – for example against women, disabled people or because of someone's sexual orientation. This includes statements, and also public posts, shares or likes on social media.
• Extremism: you pursue or support activities against the free democratic basic order or Germany's security. Support can be as little as a donation or speaking out in favour of such aims.
• Polygamy: you are married to more than one person at the same time.
• Disregard for equality: your behaviour shows that you do not respect equal rights for men and women.
• Lip service: there are concrete indications that your commitment does not reflect your real convictions.

If you were convicted of an offence with an antisemitic, racist or inhumane motive, there is also no minor-offence threshold – see German citizenship with a criminal record.

The personal interview

Under a Federal Interior Ministry circular of 18 August 2025, naturalisation authorities should normally meet you in person for an interview. They check whether you know and understand the core content of the declarations, whether you genuinely mean them and whether any grounds for exclusion apply. Your language certificate may be scrutinised too. Passing the citizenship test alone doesn't prove this understanding, because the test does not cover everything.

How to prepare:

1. Read the declarations calmly before your appointment and ask if any term is unclear.
2. Revise the core principles – for example with the questions on the Basic Law, the state and history when you practise.
3. Think about what the rule of law, freedom of expression or equal rights mean in your daily life, so you can explain them in your own words.
4. If there's anything in your past that might raise questions, get advice before you apply.

The solemn declaration at the handover

Before you receive your naturalisation certificate, you say this sentence from section 16 StAG: “Ich erkläre feierlich, dass ich das Grundgesetz und die Gesetze der Bundesrepublik Deutschland achten und alles unterlassen werde, was ihr schaden könnte.” In English: “I solemnly declare that I will respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and refrain from anything that could harm it.” You become German the moment the certificate is handed to you, which should happen at a public naturalisation ceremony (Einbürgerungsfeier).

What to do next is explained in Naturalised – what now?, and every other condition is listed in German citizenship requirements.