If you are registered as a resident of Bonn, you can apply online for naturalisation here.
Note: The application is currently only available in German.
You will need proof of the following:
- Your identity and nationality, for example a national passport or other official identity document with your photograph
- Your civil status, for example a marriage certificate, birth certificate or divorce decree
- Your right to reside permanently in Germany, for example an electronic residence permit
- The fact that you have lived in Germany for at least five years (in some cases three years)
- Your ability to support yourself financially, for example your income tax assessment, employment contract, wage statements
- Your ability to speak German, for example a language certificate at level B1 or a school-leaving certificate from a German school
- Your knowledge of the legal system, society and way of life in Germany, for example proof that you have passed the naturalisation test
Career opportunities
As a German citizen, you are free to choose any career without restrictions under immigration law. You can work in any occupation for which you are qualified. For example, you can become a police officer, a teacher or a doctor. It is also much easier to start a business if you have German citizenship.
Requirements, exceptions, special conditions
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If you live permanently in Germany but are not a German citizen, you can become naturalised if you meet the following requirements. You can find more answers to important questions about naturalisation on the website “Paths to Naturalisation”:
- You have been a permanent legal resident of Germany for at least five years. Under certain conditions, you can become naturalised if you have legally resided in Germany for three years.
- At the time of naturalisation, you have a permanent right of residence, usually a permanent settlement permit or an EU Blue Card.
- You can prove your identity and current citizenship(s).
- You declare your commitment to the free and democratic constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany and to Germany’s special historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime and its consequences, in particular for the protection of Jewish life; to peaceful co-existence among peoples; and to the prohibition on waging a war of aggression.
- You are sufficiently able to speak and write German, at least at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- You have passed the naturalisation test, proving that you have sufficient knowledge of the legal system, society and way of life in Germany.
- You can supportyourself and your dependent family members financially. This includes your spouse and, for example, the children you provide for.
- You are not married to more than one spouseat the same time (polygamous marriage) and you respect equal rights for men and women, which is anchored in Germany’s constitution, the Basic Law.
- You have not been convicted of a crime.
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Yes, in some cases you can apply for naturalisation sooner. However, you must meet each of these requirements:
- You have lived habitually and legally in Germany for at least three years.
- You can prove that you have made an effort to become integrated quickly, for example by outstanding performance in school or at work. Or you are involved in volunteer work in your community, for example with the fire brigade, a sport club, a social welfare or political organisation, trade union or cultural institution.
- You can support yourself and your dependent family members financially without recourse to public benefits.
- You can speak and write German at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or higher.
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If you are aged 16 or older, you must pass the naturalisation test, unless one of the exceptions listed below applies to you. Passing the naturalisation test shows that you have sufficient knowledge of the legal system, society and way of life in Germany.
You do not have to pass the naturalisation test if one of the following applies:
- You have successfully completed an integration course and passed the examination “Leben in Deutschland” (Life in Germany). This proves your civic knowledge.
- You have a school-leaving certificate from a German school.
- You have a degree from a German institution of higher education, for example in law, social sciences, political sciences or administrative sciences, even if you did not go to school here. In this case, please ask your naturalisation authority whether you have to take the naturalisation test.
- You entered the Federal Republic of Germany as a “guest worker” by 30 June 1974, or you entered the German Democratic Republic as a contract worker by 13 June 1990. This exception also applies to your spouse who entered the country not long after you.
- Due to illness, disability or old age, you are unable to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the legal system, society and way of life in Germany (a doctor´s certification must be provided as proof).
If you have questions about the naturalisation test, your local naturalisation authority can help you. They can also tell you where you can register to take the test.
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Anyone who entered the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) as a “guest worker” or the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as a contract worker made a significant contribution to the development of Germany’s economy and society. That is why the following exceptions apply to naturalisation for these persons:
- Knowledge of German: You do not have to demonstrate your ability to speak and write German at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is sufficient to demonstrate that you can talk about everyday matters in German without difficulty.
- Naturalisation test: You do not have to take the naturalisation test
To qualify for these exceptions, you must have entered the Federal Republic of Germany as a “guest worker” by 30 June 1974, or the German Democratic Republic as a contract worker by 13 June 1990.
Useful information about applying online
The checklist provides examples of all the documents you need to submit with your online application. It is a good idea to have these documents ready in digital form when you start your application. We recommend saving them in a separate folder on your electronic device so that you can easily find and upload them.
If the authority determines during its initial check that any additional documents are needed, you will be notified via the service portal. If you have other documents you think are relevant, you can upload these as well or bring them with you to your appointment with the responsible authority.
The application process is currently being optimised for mobile devices to enable you to use the service portal on any computer, tablet or smartphone.
Simply login with your BundID if you wish to to submit an application or upload documents. If you do not have a BundID account, you will first have to set up an account with BundID.