Loyalty Declaration for German Citizenship Explained

You want German citizenship. You open your application papers. There is a form called "Loyalitätserklärung." The German words look complicated. The legal text feels confusing.

What do you actually promise when you sign it? This article explains the loyalty declaration in simple English. You will learn what it says and why it exists. You will also see how it connects to the citizenship test.

What Is the Loyalitätserklärung?

The Loyalitätserklärung is a written declaration. You sign it as part of your naturalization application (Einbürgerung). Its full name is often "Bekenntnis- und Loyalitätserklärung." This means "declaration of commitment and loyalty."

The legal basis is § 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Nummer 1 StAG. StAG stands for Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, the Nationality Act. This law requires you to commit to Germany's free democratic basic order. In German, this is called the "freiheitliche demokratische Grundordnung."

What Does the Declaration Actually Say?

The declaration has several parts. Each part asks you to confirm something specific.

1. Commitment to the Free Democratic Basic Order

You confirm that you support the core principles of the German constitution (Grundgesetz). These principles include:

• The rule of law (Rechtsstaat)
• Human dignity
• Free and fair elections
• Separation of state powers

Example: BAMF citizenship test question 3 asks: "Germany is a Rechtsstaat. What does this mean?" The correct answer is: All residents and the state must follow the law. This is exactly what the declaration asks you to accept.

2. No Anti-Constitutional Activities

You declare that you do not pursue or support activities against the constitution. This means you have not worked for groups that want to remove Germany's democratic order.

Maybe you supported such activities in the past. In that case, you must show that you have turned away from them. This rule is also part of § 10 Absatz 1 StAG.

Example: Imagine you were a member of an extremist group years ago. You left that group. You no longer support its goals. In this case, you can still sign the declaration truthfully. The key point is your current position, not only your past.

3. Rejection of Racism and Antisemitism

Since June 2024, the declaration includes a clear statement. You reject racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic acts. You also accept Germany's special historical responsibility. This responsibility comes from the Nazi era and the Holocaust.

This part connects to Germany's ongoing protection of Jewish life today.

4. Peaceful Coexistence

You confirm that you accept peaceful coexistence between all people. This applies regardless of origin, religion, or background.

Why Does This Declaration Exist?

Germany's constitution protects certain core values permanently. Article 79 Absatz 3 of the Grundgesetz protects these values. Not even parliament can remove them. This rule is called the "Ewigkeitsklausel" (eternity clause).

The state wants new citizens to accept these same values. This is not about your personal opinion on every political topic. It is about your commitment to the legal system itself.

How Does This Connect to the Citizenship Test?

The Einbürgerungstest checks your knowledge of Germany's political system. Several test questions overlap directly with the ideas in the loyalty declaration.

BAMF Question	Topic	Correct Answer
Q3: Germany is a Rechtsstaat. What does this mean?	Rule of law	All residents and the state must follow the law.
Q4: Which right belongs to the basic rights in Germany?	Basic rights	Freedom of opinion
Q8: What is not written in the German Grundgesetz?	Constitutional limits	Everyone should have the same amount of money.
Q9: Which basic right in Germany applies only to foreigners?	Asylum right	The right to asylum
Q10: What is compatible with the German Grundgesetz?	Constitutional compatibility	The fine (Geldstrafe) as a punishment

These questions show you the same values behind the declaration. Freedom of opinion and the rule of law matter here. Equal treatment under the law matters too. These ideas connect the test and the declaration.

What Happens If You Don't Sign?

Signing the Bekenntnis- und Loyalitätserklärung is a legal requirement. It is part of § 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Nummer 1 StAG. Without your signature, this requirement is not met. The authority cannot grant citizenship without it.

If you have questions about your personal situation, contact your local Ausländerbehörde or a lawyer.

Key Takeaways

• The Loyalitätserklärung is a required form for naturalization.
• Its legal basis is § 10 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Nummer 1 StAG.
• You confirm support for the free democratic basic order.
• Since June 2024, it also includes rejection of racism and antisemitism.
• The values in the declaration overlap with several citizenship test questions.

Are you ready for the test? Practice all 460 questions with explanations in your language.

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This article provides information, not legal advice.