How Much Does German Citizenship Cost?

You want to become a German citizen. But you don't know the price. Many people search for "cost of German citizenship" and find confusing numbers online. This article shows you the real costs, based on German law.

The Basic Naturalization Fee

The standard fee for naturalization is 255 euros. This applies to every adult applicant. The legal basis is § 38 of the Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG), the German Nationality Act.

You pay this fee to your local naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde). You usually pay it after your application is approved, not before.

What If Your Application Is Rejected?

If the authority rejects your application, you may still have to pay a fee. In some cases, the authority charges a lower amount for processing your case. Ask your local office for exact details.

The Fee for Children

If your children become German citizens with you, the fee is lower. For each child without their own income, the fee is 51 euros. This rule also comes from § 38 StAG.

Extra Costs You Should Plan For

The 255-euro fee is not the only cost. Several other expenses can add up.

The Naturalization Test

Most applicants must pass the naturalization test (Einbürgerungstest). This test checks your knowledge of German law, history, and society, as required by § 10 StAG.

The test costs 25 euros. You pay this fee when you register for the test at your local Volkshochschule (adult education center).

The test has 460 possible questions. You answer 33 of them on test day. One example question is Nummer 213: "How many inhabitants does Germany have?" The correct answer is about 84 million.

Language Certificate

You need a German language certificate at level B1. If you don't have one, you must take an exam. Prices vary by provider, but many language schools charge between 150 and 200 euros for a B1 exam.

Documents and Translations

You need documents like your birth certificate and passport. If these documents are not in German, you need certified translations. Certified translations often cost 40 to 80 euros per document, depending on the length and language.

Some documents also need an apostille or legalization. This process has its own fees, and they depend on your home country.

Giving Up Your Previous Citizenship

In many cases, you must give up your previous citizenship. Some countries charge a fee for this process. The amount depends entirely on your country of origin, so check with your embassy.

Can the Fee Be Reduced or Waived?

Yes, in some cases. According to § 38 StAG, the naturalization authority can reduce or waive the fee in cases of hardship. This applies especially to children whose parents cannot afford the fee.

If you receive social benefits like Bürgergeld, ask your local authority about a fee reduction. Every case is decided individually.

Total Cost Overview

Item	Typical Cost
Naturalization fee (adult)	255 euros
Naturalization fee (child)	51 euros
Naturalization test	25 euros
B1 language certificate	150–200 euros
Document translations	40–80 euros per document
Renunciation of old citizenship	varies by country

For one adult applicant, the total cost is often between 400 and 600 euros. This includes the fee, the test, and basic document costs.

Prepare for the Naturalization Test

The test is a fixed cost, but you can control how well you prepare. Learning the 460 questions in advance helps you avoid a second attempt, which means a second fee.

Bist du bereit für den Test? Übe alle 460 Fragen mit Erklärungen in deiner Sprache.

You can start practicing today. Check our pricing plans or try the test trainer to see all questions with explanations in your language.

---

Dieser Artikel ist Information, keine Rechtsberatung.