If you’re thinking of living in Germany or coming to Germany to gain residency and you want to apply for Germany citizenship at your embassy without having lived in Germany before, here’s what you need to know:
How can I become a German citizen without living in Germany:
(1) If you may already have German citizenship due to German descent
(2) re-in-statement of previously lost citizenship
(3) adoption by a German citizen as a minor
(4) naturalization
What are the requirements to get naturalised as a German citizen without living in Germany?
You have to meet all the normal criteria for naturalisation.
Do I need to speak German?
Yes. This is an essential requirement. It is best to apply after you have reached at least the B1 level in German.
Because you would be applying for a naturalisation which you are not entitled to but which is in the discretion of the German government, a higher level of German would be even better.
How do I prove I have ties to Germany?
There are many ways one can prove ties to Germany to gain citizenship. the more ties you can prove the more ways in which you can be granted citizenship:-
- Marriage to a German citizen
- ownership of real estate in Germany for your own personal use
- ownership of business in Germany
- employment by a German company
- longer and frequent visits to Germany
- Visits to German learning institutions ie. universities and academic interest in studying in Germany
What other requirements do you need?
Some of these are very similar with the requirements to Naturalisation:
- You need to be able to support yourself financially without resulting into welfare. Should you be legible you need to show you can be able to move to Germany and earn a living (this might be very similar for Africans planning to come study in Germany.
- You should not have any criminal record.
- you need to be able to pass the German citizenship test. We wrote about how to pass your German citizenship exam HERE.
Will I need to give up my exiting citizenship?
Germany does not offer dual citizenship, you are required to give up your previous citizenship.
Source: BAMF