Naturalization

Information on the reform of the Citizenship Act can be found at the following link: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/heimat/reform-staatsangehoerigkeitsrecht/reform-staatsangehoerigkeitsrecht-liste.html

We are pleased that you are interested in naturalization. You can reach us by telephone on the following number 0421 - 361 - 88670. Telephone availability: Mondays to Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Alternatively, you can also 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.

Due to the high number of applications, it is unfortunately not possible to send confirmation of receipt for later submissions in the naturalization procedure.

The exact documents required depend on the respective life situation of the applicant. You will receive further information during a telephone consultation or by contacting us by e-mail.

No, because biometric photos are required for the application of the identity card or passport.

An uninterrupted legal residence of 8 years in Germany is required.

Please note that only periods in which you had a residence permit can be taken into account. Periods during which you were granted a so-called Duldung by the Aliens' Registration Office cannot be taken into account. In case of interruptions of the legal residence in Germany, the previous residence periods can be credited under certain conditions.

You can obtain further information on this during a telephone consultation or by contacting us by e-mail.

Yes, the residence periods can be shortened in certain cases. A shortening to 7 years is possible with a successfully completed integration course. A shortening to 6 years is possible, if you can prove special integration achievements (especially language skills above B1 level).

If you are married to a German spouse or live in a registered partnership with a German citizen, you need a three-year legal habitual residence in Germany. The marriage or registered partnership must have existed for two years.

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

However, as a rule, naturalization is not possible if you have a residence permit pursuant to Sections 16a, 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f, 17, 18d, 18f, 19, 19b, 19e, 20, 22, 23 (1), Sections 23a, 24, 25 (3) to (5) and 104c of the Residence Act.

Language skills at the 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.

Alternatively, you can 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.

In Germany, the principle of avoiding multiple nationalities applies in principle to naturalization.

A special rule applies to citizens of European Union states and Switzerland: they do not have to renounce their previous nationality before naturalization. This is also possible in the case of additional nationalities. For more information, please contact the citizenship office.

However, according to the law of the other state, you may automatically lose your previous citizenship if you naturalize in Germany. If you have any doubts, you should contact the embassy or consulate of the country of your previous citizenship.

If you encounter any difficulties in being released from your current citizenship, contact your naturalization authority.

It is recommended that, if possible, you obtain proof of all the steps you take to be discharged from your current citizenship, so that you can provide evidence of your efforts to your naturalization authority if needed.

No, you do not need an appointment. Please send us a copy of the discharge certificate (with an appropriate translation, if necessary) by mail or e-mail. In addition, please provide us with your current contact details (e-mail address or telephone number) so that we can discuss the further procedure with you at short notice.

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.