Residence required for German citizenship How long do you have to live in Germany to get citizenship?
Estimated wait
~5 years
Based on published sources
⚠️ This is how long you must have lived in Germany BEFORE you can apply — not the processing time after applying, which is a separate 12–30 months.
To apply for German citizenship you must have lived lawfully in Germany for at least 5 years. This requirement was reduced from 8 to 5 years by the nationality-law reform that took effect on 27 June 2024.
More details
Shorter paths exist: spouses of German citizens can usually apply after about 3 years of residence (married for at least 2 years). The 3-year fast-track for exceptional integration was abolished on 30 October 2025, so five years is again the general minimum. This residence period is separate from the 12–30 months the authority then takes to process your application.
🕒 Last updated: 28 Jun 2026