How much does it cost to apply for German citizenship?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Germany's Nationality Act sets the naturalisation fee at €255. A minor child without own income who is naturalised together with a parent pays €51. The fee can be reduced or waived for fairness or public interest, and BAMF says instalments are possible for low earners. The naturalisation test costs €25 extra.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Naturalisation	€255	StAG § 38(2) sentence 1 no. 1
Minor child naturalised with a parent, no own income	€51	StAG § 38(2) sentence 2
Minor naturalised without the parents	€255 (BAMF)	BAMF, “Kosten”
Refusal or withdrawal after processing began	€25 up to the fee for the service applied for	StAG § 38(2) sentence 3
Reduction or waiver	Possible for reasons of fairness or public interest	StAG § 38(4)
Naturalisation test	€25	BAMF, “Der Einbürgerungstest”
Certificate confirming German nationality, on application	€51	StAG § 38(2) sentence 1 no. 2

The fee

The Nationality Act sets the naturalisation fee at €255. For a minor child who is naturalised together with a parent and has no own income in the sense of the Income Tax Act, it drops to €51. BAMF’s guidance adds that minors naturalised without their parents also pay €255.

Paying less, or in instalments

The law lets the authority reduce or waive the fee for reasons of fairness or public interest. BAMF says that if you earn very little or several children are naturalised with you, the fee can be reduced or paid in instalments.

If you are refused or withdraw

The law charges a fee from €25 up to the full fee when an application is refused or withdrawn after the authority started processing it, or when an objection is rejected or withdrawn after processing began.

Free of charge

The law lists naturalisations that cost nothing, among them restoration of citizenship under Article 116(2) of the Basic Law and naturalisation of former Germans who lost their citizenship by marrying a foreigner (§ 38(3)).

The naturalisation test: 33 questions, 17 correct to pass (BAMF).

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

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