Eligibility quiz
Have you been married to, or in a registered civil partnership with, a German citizen for at least 2 years while your spouse or partner was a German citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
German passport and ID
German citizens can use a passport and identity card for travel and identification.
If documents are lost abroad, a German mission can issue a travel document for the return to Germany and, in suitable cases, a temporary passport.
Passports and identity cards expire and must be replaced.
Live in Germany for life
German citizens have an unconditional right to enter, live in and return to Germany.
Citizenship does not expire because of time spent abroad.
Study in Germany
German citizens can study in Germany and use public education.
Work in Germany
German citizens can work in Germany without restriction or run a business.
Get help abroad
German missions can help abroad after arrest, serious illness, an accident, death, or the loss of money or documents, and refer you to lawyers, doctors or interpreters.
Where Germany has no mission, you can seek urgent help from another EU country's mission.
Vote and run for office
German citizens can vote in German federal elections from age 18 if they meet the residence and eligibility rules.
Citizens abroad can vote by post if registered and sufficiently connected to Germany.
In other EU countries, citizens can vote and run in local and European Parliament elections on the same terms as that country's citizens.
Use public healthcare
German citizens can use public healthcare in Germany.
Access depends on the relevant rules, such as where you live and your contributions.
Use public support
German citizens can use public services and support, including pensions, unemployment support, housing support and child benefit.
These are not automatic payments; eligibility depends on rules such as residence, contributions, income and family circumstances.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the office responsible for citizenship applications where you live in Germany. It may be part of your city or district administration.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which office handles Ehegatteneinbürgerung in your city, Germany?”
Get the application
Open your local office’s online naturalisation application or get its naturalisation application form.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Ehegatteneinbürgerung application for your city, Germany?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents your local office asks for.
See required documentsFill in your application
Fill in the application truthfully and in German. Use your local office’s online service where available.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in an Ehegatteneinbürgerung application in your city, Germany?”
Submit your application
Submit your application and copies of your documents through your local office’s online service, and pay the processing fee when the service asks. Your office can also tell you whether to send a paper application by post or hand it in personally.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Ehegatteneinbürgerung application in your city, Germany?”
Wait for the decision
The office will review your application; respond to any requests for more information or documents. If its first review is positive, it may invite you to an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I ask about my Ehegatteneinbürgerung application in your city, Germany?”
Go to your appointment
If the office invites you, attend the appointment and bring original documents if requested. Make any declarations the office asks for and take part in its identity and document checks.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at an Ehegatteneinbürgerung appointment in your city, Germany?”
Receive your certificate
If your application is approved, receive your naturalisation certificate from the office. You become a German citizen when it is handed to you and can then apply for a German passport.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Ehegatteneinbürgerung certificate in your city, Germany?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate and, if a child is included in your application, your child’s birth certificate. Get each record from the office that registered the birth and check which format your nationality office accepts.
Marriage or partnership certificate
Provide your marriage or registered civil partnership certificate to show your relationship and how long it has lasted. If your spouse or registered partner has died or the relationship has ended, also provide the death certificate or final court decision; include records of any name changes if relevant.
Custody and consent records *
Provide proof of your parental custody if you apply after your spouse’s or registered partner’s death or the end of your relationship. If a child is included in your application, provide custody or parental consent evidence where your office requires it.
* Only if you apply after your spouse’s or registered partner’s death or the end of your relationship, or custody or consent evidence is needed for a child included in your application.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationFamily citizenship records *
Your office may ask for evidence of your spouse’s or registered partner’s German citizenship, such as a copy of their German passport or ID. If you apply after their death or the end of your relationship, also provide evidence of your child’s German citizenship.
* Only if your office asks for your spouse’s or registered partner’s citizenship record, or you apply after their death or the end of your relationship.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military checks for men
German men born in 2008 or later must answer the military questionnaire truthfully and undergo a medical assessment.
Military service is not generally compulsory unless the system is activated or changed.
Citizenship can be lost
Giving up citizenship needs approval and another citizenship.
Adults can lose it for actively fighting for terrorists abroad or joining their other country's forces or similar armed group without German defence consent, if not left stateless.
Citizenship gained by application can be withdrawn for deceit, threats, bribery or deliberate false or incomplete key information, normally within ten years of notification.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Berlin Expats
English Facebook group for people living in Germany interested in German citizenship
Join on FacebookGerman Visa & CitizenShip Information
English Facebook group for people interested in German citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookEinbürgerung in Bonn/Citizenship in Bonn
Facebook group for people interested in German citizenship (English & German)
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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