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German Citizenship 2027:
The Five-Year Rule and Dual Citizenship
Now that the three-year fast track is closed, German citizenship once again has a single standard: five years. Dual citizenship stays. In this article I go through the requirements one by one, in plain language.
Hamza Çakın · IR - Law / Consultant
German citizenship is one of the topics the Turkish community in Germany asks about most. When the 2024 reform opened the door to dual citizenship, applications rose. In 2025, part of the reform was reversed. To make the picture clear going into 2027, let’s start with a short overview.
- 5 years: minimum residence
- B1: German level
- €255: adult application fee
- 27.06.2024: dual citizenship allowed
Why was the three-year route closed?
The 2024 reform allowed citizenship after three years for people with special integration achievements, requiring C1 German and outstanding performance. The Bundestag approved its abolition on 8 October 2025, the Bundesrat on 17 October 2025, and the change took effect at the end of October 2025. There is no transitional rule; pending applications are also assessed under the new law. Today the minimum is five years for everyone.
The requirements one by one
They are set out in section 10 of the Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz). The Darmstadt regional authority lists them in its February 2026 guidance:
- Five years of lawful, habitual residence. Stays abroad of up to six months do not interrupt the period.
- A suitable residence status. You need a permanent right of residence or a permit intended for long-term stay. Not every permit qualifies.
- Supporting yourself. You must cover your own and your dependants’ living costs without social benefits.
- German at B1 level.
- Knowledge of the legal and social order. Usually shown with the “Leben in Deutschland” citizenship test; you need at least 17 of 33 correct answers.
- Commitment to the constitutional order, including acknowledging Germany’s historical responsibility.
- No serious criminal conviction. The law sets tolerance limits for minor penalties.
Dual citizenship: what it means for Turkish citizens
Since 27 June 2024, Germany no longer requires you to give up your previous citizenship. So you don’t have to renounce Turkish citizenship to become German. Whether you keep it depends on Turkish law; Turkey generally allows acquiring another citizenship. For obligations such as notification, check the latest information with the Turkish consulate.
Fees and waiting times
The fee is €255 for adults and €51 for each minor child naturalised at the same time, usually paid in advance. Waiting times are long: as of February 2026, the Darmstadt authority said files took about 24 months to be processed. Applications are handled in order of receipt and cannot be prioritised.
Our assessment for 2027
There is no federal election in 2027; the next one is in 2029. We therefore don’t expect new changes to the five-year rule or dual citizenship in the near term. The real issue is not legal but administrative: many applications, long waits. Our advice is to start preparing before your five years are up: language certificate, citizenship test, pension insurance record and income documents. Keep in mind that updated income documents may be requested again before a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child born in Germany automatically become German?
Yes, if one parent has lived lawfully in Germany for at least five years and holds a permanent right of residence.
How many questions are in the citizenship test?
33; you need at least 17 correct answers to pass. Practice questions are published by BAMF.
Where do I apply?
At the naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) where you live. Many cities now accept online applications.
If you want to go through your residence period, language level and documents together, we can check whether your file is ready in a free consultation.
Sources: RP Darmstadt: Einbürgerung FAQ · Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz § 10 · BAMF: Einbürgerungstest
This article is for general information, contains the author’s assessments and is not legal advice; figures are based on official sources at the date of publication.