Naturalization

If you live in Germany permanently and would like to become a German citizen, you can apply for naturalization. If you have your main place of residence in Jena, submit your application for naturalization to the Jena registry office.

Regardless of when you submit your application, you must meet and prove the general requirements for actual naturalization:

1. You have an unlimited right of residence. This applies if you have a settlement permit or an EU permanent residence permit or if you are a family member or partner of a citizen of the EEA, Switzerland or Turkey who is entitled to freedom of movement. This also applies if your residence title is not excluded by law from the recognition of periods of residence.
2. You have sufficient knowledge of German at language level B1 or higher.
3. You are familiar with the German legal and social system.
4. You are committed to the free and democratic basic order and to Germany's special historical responsibility. Any action that expresses a form of contempt for humanity precludes naturalization. The same applies to any behavior that contradicts the Basic Law, e.g. disregarding equal rights for men and women. A multiple marriage is a further reason for exclusion.
5. You are able to support yourself and dependants independently and without claiming social benefits (SGB II and XII).
6. You have sufficient accommodation for yourself and your family members.
7. You have not been convicted of any criminal offenses.
8. There are no other grounds for deportation.

There are exceptions to some requirements that can be applied depending on your individual situation. This applies, for example, to guest workers who entered the Federal Republic of Germany before 1974 and contract workers who entered the former GDR before 1990.