Naturalization for Stateless Persons, Asylum Holders and Tolerated Persons

Not all protection seekers in Germany have equal access to naturalization. Stateless persons, recognised asylum holders, persons with subsidiary protection, and persons with Duldung; each group has its own rules. In this article you'll learn which paths are open and which are not.

Stateless persons

Stateless persons are people not recognised as a national by any state. The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (StlÜbk) applies to them.

Key points for stateless persons:

• Reiseausweis nach StlÜbk: replaces a passport; counts as a valid identity document
• Identity is considered clarified: authorities cannot demand a passport if the Reiseausweis is available
• 5 years residence: like everyone else, stateless persons need 5 years of lawful residence
• Bekenntnis, language, test: required as usual

Recognised asylum holders (Art. 16a GG) and GFK refugees

If you are recognised as an asylum holder under Art. 16a Grundgesetz or as a refugee under the Geneva Convention (GFK), you can naturalise.

Current legal situation (after the reform):

• 5 years lawful residence under §10 StAG
• No shorter special path remains; the 3-year fast-track was abolished in October 2025 and applied to everyone
• B1 language proof and Einbürgerungstest required
• Dual citizenship allowed; you do not have to give up your previous nationality

For identity clarification there are easements: if you cannot obtain a passport from your country of origin (regularly the case for asylum holders), the Reiseausweis für Flüchtlinge usually suffices.

Subsidiary protection

Persons with subsidiary protection rank legally below recognised asylum holders. For them:

• The residence permit under §25 Abs. 2 AufenthG is not automatically a settlement title
• Naturalization becomes possible only after a Niederlassungserlaubnis is granted
• Then the regular §10 StAG requirements apply

Persons with Duldung

People with a Duldung (§60a AufenthG) do not have lawful residence. A Duldung only means deportation is temporarily suspended.

Consequences:

• No naturalization possible while you hold a Duldung
• Periods of Duldung do not count towards the 5-year period
• Lawful residence starts only with a regular residence permit

What you can do:

• Status switch: check switching from Duldung to a residence permit (e.g. Chancenaufenthaltsrecht, Beschäftigungsduldung)
• Ausbildungsduldung: can lead to a residence permit after completed training
• Counselling: migration counselling centres, lawyers specialising in migration law

Language and Einbürgerungstest

For all three groups (when eligible) the same requirements apply as for other applicants:

• German at B1
• Passed Einbürgerungstest (17 of 33 questions)
• Bekenntnis to the Grundgesetz; including the protection of Jewish life

Special cases and hardship rule

In hardship cases the authority can naturalise under §8 StAG (Ermessenseinbürgerung) despite missing standard requirements. This is the exception, not a right.

Examples of possible hardship cases:

• Severe illness or disability that complicates the language test
• Old age combined with long residence in Germany
• Special integration achievements

Practical tips

• Clarify identity early: Reiseausweis, birth certificate, translations
• Check residence status: is your permit a title that leads to naturalization?
• Seek counselling: free migration counselling or welfare organisations
• Collect documents: see Document checklist for naturalization
• Be patient: asylum holders and stateless persons often have more complex files; processing takes time

Even if your path is more complex than others; preparing well and starting early pays off. You can practise the Einbürgerungstest any time without registering.