Apply for discretionary naturalization

The Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law came into force on 27.06.2024. Among other things, the law provides for a reduction in the required period of residence in Germany from 8 to 5 years and the general acceptance of multiple nationality.

We are pleased that you are interested in naturalization. You can find extensive information on the naturalization requirements on this website and under "Further information" - "Where can I find out more?" - "Paths to naturalization".

For a non-binding check of the naturalization requirements, please use the Quick Check (see Online Service). We will also be happy to advise you by telephone on the following number 0421 - 361 - 88670 (telephone availability: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).

Alternatively, you can send us an e-mail (Einbuergerung@migrationsamt.bremen.de). Please ensure that you include your full name, date of birth and telephone number in your e-mail.

Due to the current situation, it is not possible to come in person to submit your application.

Please send us the completed application with the requested documents by mail (alternatively: drop it in the house mailbox/Stresemannstraße 48). Please make sure that you only send us copies.

Please also check that you have signed the application.

Please bear in mind that each naturalization applicant who has reached the age of 16 must complete a separate application.

No, please send us only copies at first. Later in the naturalization process, we will ask you to submit some original documents.

You are welcome to send us a copy of your documents by post. Please address your mail to the Naturalization Office. It would also be helpful if you could note your file number on the post.

Exactly which documents are required depends on the applicant's life situation. Further information can be found on the application form, in a telephone consultation or by contacting us by e-mail.

With the presentation of a currently valid national passport.

In this context, reference is made to the current case law of the Federal Administrative Court of 18.12.2025 (1 C 27.24), according to which identity must be proven by a national passport.

Even recognized refugees are not exempt from obtaining a passport across the board. Only if it is objectively impossible or subjectively unreasonable to obtain a passport can other evidence be used to clarify identity as part of a step-by-step check.

No, biometric photos are required to apply for an identity card or passport.

As a rule, an uninterrupted legal residence of 5 years in Germany is required.

Please note that only periods during which you had a residence permit can be taken into account. Periods in which you received a so-called tolerated stay permit from the immigration authorities cannot be taken into account.

Yes, if you are married or in a registered civil partnership with a German national. In this case, you must have been legally resident in Germany for three years and the marriage or registered civil partnership must have existed for two years.

No, naturalization is also possible with a temporary residence permit.

However, naturalization is generally not possible if you have a residence permit in accordance with

according to §§ 16a, 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f, 17, 18f, 19, 19b, 19e, 20, 20a, 22, §§ 23a, 24, 25 paragraphs 3 to 5 and § 104c of the Residence Act.

Language skills at B1 level are required. These are usually proven by a language certificate. Please note that the language certificate can only be recognized if the language course provider has a TELC license. The language certificate "Deutschtest für Zuwanderer" (DTZ) at language level B1 is also recognized.

Alternatively, you can also prove your language skills with a German school-leaving certificate, completed German vocational training or completed German-language studies.

If you apply for German citizenship, you must prove knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany by taking a naturalization test. Advice and registration for the naturalization test can be obtained from the Volkshochschulen (VHS).

If you have a German school leaving certificate, no naturalization test is required. In certain cases, a naturalization test is also not necessary if you have completed vocational training or a course of study.

If you have moved, the responsibility for processing your naturalization application changes. However, you do not have to submit a new naturalization application in your new place of residence. Please notify the previously responsible naturalization authority of your move. They will forward the entire naturalization process to the new naturalization authority responsible.

Yes, under German law, all naturalization applicants have the option of retaining their previous citizenship when acquiring German citizenship without any restrictions.

However, you may lose your previous citizenship on the basis of the law of your country of origin if you naturalize in Germany. If you have any doubts, you should contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin before naturalization.

No, you must apply for your passport or ID card separately at the BürgerServiceCenter.

You can obtain further information by calling the public authority number 115 or on the Internet at www.service.bremen.de.

Whether it is possible to re-acquire a foreign nationality that was previously lost through naturalization in Germany depends on the nationality regulations of the respective country of origin.

Germans who acquire another nationality can also retain their German nationality without further ado. A retention permit is no longer required.

The conditions under which it is possible to acquire a foreign nationality depend on the nationality regulations of the country whose nationality you wish to acquire.

No, the modernization of the Citizenship Act has rendered this requirement obsolete.