German citizenship through marriage: what spouses need to know

If you are married to a German citizen or in a registered partnership with one, you can apply for German citizenship after three years of lawful residence in Germany instead of the usual five – provided your marriage has lasted at least two years (§ 9 StAG). That is the only shortcut. You still need B1 German, the citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest), a secure income, no relevant criminal convictions and a commitment to Germany's democratic constitutional order. Marriage alone never makes you German: you have to apply.

What § 9 StAG means for spouses

§ 9 of the Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG) says spouses and registered partners of Germans "should" be naturalised. In German administrative law that is strong wording: if you meet the requirements, you will normally be naturalised. The authority can only refuse in untypical cases, such as a sham marriage.

It doesn't matter whether your partner was born German or naturalised later. According to the Federal Interior Ministry's official guidance, however, your partner must have been German during the two years of marriage and must be German on the day you are naturalised. If your partner is only now becoming German, joint naturalisation (see below) may suit you better.

The requirements at a glance

1. Residence: at least three years of lawful habitual residence in Germany, plus a suitable residence status.
2. Marriage: the marriage or registered partnership has existed for at least two years, counted up to the day of naturalisation.
3. German: proof of B1 level.
4. Citizenship test: at least 17 of 33 questions correct – or an exemption.
5. Income: you can generally support yourself without Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) or social assistance.
6. Criminal record: no convictions above the legal thresholds.
7. Commitment: to the free democratic basic order and to Germany's historical responsibility.
8. Identity: your identity and nationality are clarified, usually with a valid passport.

For the detail behind each point, see our German citizenship requirements overview.

The marriage has to be real

The shortcut exists because living with a German partner is expected to speed up integration. A marriage that exists only on paper is not enough: you must actually share your married life, which in practice usually means living together. If you lived apart for a long time during the three years, the authority can ask for a longer period of residence.

A marriage concluded abroad must be legally valid under German law. Keep your marriage certificate ready; foreign certificates usually need a certified translation.

In the public interest, the three-year residence period can be shortened if the marriage has lasted at least three years. This mainly helps couples who lived abroad because of work in Germany's interest – for example spouses of staff posted abroad by the Federal Foreign Office or the Bundeswehr.

What still applies in full: language, test and income

You save time on residence, not on anything else. Many couples underestimate this.

• B1 German: for example the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer or a Goethe or telc certificate. Which proofs count is explained in German language requirement for citizenship.
• Citizenship test: 33 questions, 60 minutes, at least 17 correct, €25 per attempt. See the German citizenship test: format and pass mark.
• Income: you must generally manage without Grundsicherungsgeld or social assistance. The authority looks at your family's situation as a whole. More in the income requirement for German citizenship.

If illness, disability or age makes it impossible for you to reach B1 or take the test, you are exempt. That applies to spouses of Germans too.

§ 9, § 10 or joint naturalisation? Compared

Which route applies depends on whether your partner is already German, is being naturalised right now, or whether you are applying on your own.

Joint naturalisation (Miteinbürgerung) fits couples where neither partner is German. If your partner qualifies for standard naturalisation after five years, you can be naturalised together even if you haven't lived here for five years yourself. Authorities work with a guideline of about four years' residence and two years of marriage. You still have to meet B1, the test and the other conditions yourself. Submit your applications together – at the latest before your partner receives the naturalisation certificate.

Children and dual citizenship

Children you have together with a German parent are normally German from birth. If you have minor children from an earlier relationship, § 9 allows them to be naturalised with you even if they haven't lived in Germany for three years. For a child without its own income who is naturalised with you, the fee is €51. More in German citizenship for children.

Since 27 June 2024 you no longer have to give up your current nationality. Whether you can keep it depends on your home country's law, though. See dual citizenship in Germany.

Separation, divorce or death of your partner

§ 9 requires an existing marriage. If it ends before you are naturalised, the shortcut normally no longer applies and you are back on the standard five-year route.

There is one exception in § 9(2) StAG: if your German partner dies or the divorce becomes final, the three-year rule still applies if you apply within one year – and you live as a parent with custody in a family relationship with a minor child from that marriage who is already German.

How to apply

1. Check your dates: when will you reach three years of residence and two years of marriage? What counts is the day of naturalisation. Ask your authority whether you can submit the application a little earlier.
2. Take the language exam and the citizenship test. Practise first with a mock exam under real conditions.
3. Gather your documents: among others your passport, residence permit, marriage certificate, proof that your partner is German, and proof of income. Full list: documents for German citizenship.
4. Apply to the naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde or Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde) where you live – many now accept online applications.
5. Pay the €255 fee. You become German the moment the naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) is handed to you.