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How much does German Citizenship cost?

Guides to living in GermanyHow much does German Citizenship cost? When applying for citizenship it is important to know how much it would cost you and what you need to do if you have a dependent. Here’s how much it will cost you to apply for German citizenship:

Euro Banknotes edited

How much does German Citizenship cost?

An application for Germany citizenship by naturalisation costs 255 euros. Should you be submitting an application for dependent children, the fee is 51 euros for each child under 16.

You will also be required to pay 25 euros for the naturalisation test and, if you’re application is successful, an additional 25 euros for your certificate of naturalisation.

Once your application has been considered, the citizenship authority will send you the outcome via post. This can take any time between a few weeks and several months.

German citizenship application granted

Should you be successful in your application then your letter will contain instructions on how to complete the process by attending a compulsory citizenship ceremony.

At this ceremony, you must swear an oath of allegiance to Germany’s laws and customs in order to receive your certificate of naturalisation.

Once you have German citizenship you can also apply for a German passport.

German citizenship application rejected

Should your application be rejected for any reason, you will receive a notice in the post explaining the grounds for the rejection. In this case, speak to your immigration office or citizenship authority to see if there are legal grounds for an appeal.

READ ALSO: How to apply for German citizenship (deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit)

What rights do I get with German citizenship?

Becoming a German citizen means you gain some rights that are not available to non-citizens, even those who have permanent residency. The new rights given to you as a citizen include:

  • The ability to enter and leave Germany freely.
  • The right to a German passport.
  • The ability to vote in German national and state elections.
  • Unrestricted access to find a job in Germany.
  • The right to become a civil servant.
  • Automatic EU citizenship with the right to freedom of movement.
  • The ability to vote for the European Parliament.

Source: bmi.bund.de