German citizenship essential papers. Life in Germany. More and more foreigners living in Germany are choosing to apply for a German passport, especially with the new rules allowing dual citizenship. While waiting for a decision can take time, it’s important to consider the steps you’ll need to take once your application is approved. You may be wondering what documents you need to get after becoming a German citizen, which will prove your new legal status and grant you full rights.
Documents to obtain after gaining German citizenship
The first and most important document you’ll receive is a German citizenship certificate (Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis). This document confirms your citizenship, but it’s not an official form of identification. You’ll need this certificate to apply for an identity card (Personalausweis) and a passport (Reisepass).
You’ll receive a citizenship certificate at the end of the citizenship application process. If you lose it or need a replacement, you can apply for a new document at your local office or at a German consulate abroad. The fee for this document may vary by location; for example, in Berlin, it costs 51 euros.
Reasons to get a German passport
Thanks to Germany’s membership in the European Union and its strong diplomatic presence, the German passport is among the most powerful in the world. It allows you to travel, move, and work in various countries without losing your right to return home or vote in federal elections for 25 years.
German passport holders can travel visa-free to 150 countries and obtain a visa on arrival in 30 others. For 12 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, you’ll need to complete an electronic travel authorization (eTA) a few days before your trip. In 19 countries, you can apply for a visa online, while only 18 require you to visit a diplomatic mission for a visa.
A German passport also serves as proof of your German citizenship. Moreover, German citizens are required to use their German passport when entering Germany, even if they hold other passports.
Read more: A Major Change in Passports and ID Cards: The EU’s Plans Revealed
You can submit your passport application at a local office or a German mission abroad, with fees varying by location. In Berlin, the cost is €37.50 for those under 24 and €60 for those over 24.
German ID card (Personalausweis)
A great first step is to get a German ID card, which proves your identity and citizenship in Germany and the EU. It also gives you access to an online identification function. If you start a new job, your employer may ask you to confirm your right to work in Germany. Since only German citizens can have a German Personalausweis, showing it automatically addresses this requirement.
A German passport offers the same functions and allows travel outside the Schengen area, but an ID card has the advantage of fitting easily into a wallet.
The cost of obtaining an ID card varies depending on the office where you apply. In Berlin, it costs €22.80 for those under 24 and €37 for those older. Like a passport, the ID card is valid for six years for people under 24 and for 10 years for those 24 and older.