Reasons for Citizenship Rejection: When Your Application Is Denied

Not every Einbürgerungsantrag gets approved. Certain reasons mandatorily or routinely lead to rejection; some have been significantly tightened since the 2024 reform of the StAG. Here's what you need to know about the exclusion grounds and how to avoid them.

1. Serious criminal convictions

Under §12a StAG, minor convictions remain harmless; only significant offenses count. The most important threshold is the 90-Tagessätze rule:

• Fines up to 90 daily rates: usually not considered
• Suspended prison sentences up to 3 months: typically harmless
• Multiple small sentences can be cumulated and exceed the threshold

Serious crimes (convictions over 90 daily rates, multi-year prison sentences) generally lead to permanent rejection.

2. Antisemitic, racist, or anti-human acts

Since 27 June 2024, §10 (1) sentence 2 StAG makes it explicit: anyone whose actions show they don't share the values of the free democratic basic order will not be naturalized. Antisemitic, racist, or other anti-human acts bar naturalization.

Important: there is no Bagatellgrenze (minor-offense threshold) here. Even a minor conviction for incitement or an antisemitic act can lead to rejection; even if it's below 90 daily rates.

3. Anti-constitutional activities

Under §11 sentence 1 no. 1 StAG, naturalization is excluded if there are factual indications of efforts against the free democratic basic order. Even a Verdachtsfall designation by the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) can suffice; a criminal conviction is not required.

Affected: membership in or active support of extremist organizations, hate speech, glorification of violence.

4. Polygamy / multiple marriage

The 27 June 2024 reform explicitly added §11 sentence 1 no. 4 StAG: anyone living in a polygamous marriage will not be naturalized. Even if the polygamy was legal under another country's law, it excludes naturalization in Germany.

5. Disregard for gender equality

Also under §11 StAG, naturalization is excluded if the applicant doesn't accept the equality of men and women. This is explicitly checked through the Bekenntnis. Anyone whose statements or actions show they deny women equal rights can be rejected.

6. Failure to secure livelihood

Under §10 (1) sentence 1 no. 4 StAG, you must support yourself without social benefits (Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe). The 2024 reform tightened the exceptions: anyone receiving Bürgergeld now has it significantly harder.

Exceptions still apply for involuntary unemployment, raising small children, caring for relatives, illness, or disability. Authorities now scrutinize more carefully whether the receipt of social benefits is truly involuntary.

More on this in Citizenship Requirements.

7. False statements in the application

Anyone who knowingly makes false statements during the citizenship process risks not only rejection; but also a later revocation of citizenship under §35 StAG. This is possible within 10 years. So you could lose your citizenship again.

Typical cases: false statements about identity, marital status, criminal record, income, or political activities.

8. Unclarified identity

Under §10 (1) no. 1a StAG, naturalization is excluded if identity and nationality are not established. This particularly affects applicants without valid passports or people whose origin information is contradictory.

Solutions: identity clarification through birth certificates, alternative IDs, UNHCR travel documents, sworn statements.

9. Untruthful Bekenntnis

Under §11 sentence 1 no. 2 StAG, naturalization is excluded if the Bekenntnis to the free democratic basic order is recognizably untruthful. If your conduct or statements contradict the Bekenntnis you signed, the authority can reject the application.

What to do if your application was rejected

A rejection isn't the end. You have several options:

• Request the reasoning: You have the right to written reasoning of the rejection
• Appeal or lawsuit: Within the stated deadline, you can challenge the decision
• Fix issues and reapply: For fixable reasons (e.g., livelihood) you can reapply after a waiting period
• Legal counsel: For complex cases, a lawyer specialized in migration law is worth it

More on this in What to do if you didn't pass.

How to avoid rejection from the start

• Apply only when all requirements are met
• Provide complete and correct information
• Declare convictions honestly; concealment is more dangerous
• No membership in extremist organizations
• Secure your livelihood long-term
• Take the Bekenntnis seriously; not just a signature