Which requirements need to be met to be naturalised?

The general condition is lawful and long-term residence in Germany, in line with the usual provisions governing foreigners' law. Furthermore, a minimum residence period of eight years is required for adults. Foreigners who reside in Germany temporarily or who have resided in Germany for only a short period of time are not entitled to naturalisation.

The required minimum period of residence ensures that the naturalisation applicant has integrated into German society. Additionally, applicants must be able to pay for their subsistence, without relying on social assistance or unemployment assistance, unless they need such assistance for reasons beyond their control. Applicants may not have committed a serious crime and they must have sufficient command of the German language. The Act to Amend the Nationality Law has, for the first time, made naturalisation in line with the Foreigners Act conditional on the command of the German language - an indispensable prerequisite for applicants to be integrated into German society.