What Does Einbürgerung Really Cost?

Most people think German citizenship costs 25 euros for the test; and that's it. Unfortunately, reality looks different. Between fees, language certificates, translations and giving up your previous citizenship, several hundred euros can quickly add up. Here is the complete cost overview with real numbers.

Type of cost	Amount	Note
Naturalization fee	255 €	Per person, children under 16: 51 €
Einbürgerungstest	25 €	Exam fee (per attempt)
Language certificate (B1)	150–250 €	Not needed with Integrationskurs certificate
Release from former citizenship	0–500 €+	Often no longer needed since 2024
Certified translations	50–150 €	For foreign-language documents
Passport photos	10–15 €	Biometric photos
Total	280–1,000 €+	Depending on your personal situation

The official fee: 255 euros

The naturalization fee is set by law and amounts to 255 euros per person. For children under 16 who are naturalized together with their parents, the fee is 51 euros. You pay this fee to your responsible citizenship office, usually when submitting the application or after approval.

For a family with two adults and one child under 16, that alone is 561 euros in base fees. In cases of hardship, the fee can be reduced or waived; ask your authority if you receive social benefits.

Einbürgerungstest: 25 euros

The Einbürgerungstest costs 25 euros. That is the cheapest item on the list. You register at a Volkshochschule (VHS) or another authorized test center, pay the fee and take the test.

Preparation for the test doesn't have to cost you anything. You can practice all 463 official BAMF questions for free on this site; with an exam simulation under real conditions. This saves you expensive preparation courses.

Language proof: B1 or higher

For naturalization you need at least German skills at B1 level. Recognized tests include the DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer), Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or telc Deutsch B1. Exam fees range from 150 to 250 euros depending on the provider.

If you have successfully completed an Integrationskurs and have the Integrationskurs certificate, you don't need a separate language test. The certificate is recognized as language proof. A German school leaving certificate or a degree from a German-speaking university is also sufficient as proof.

Releasing former citizenship: often no longer needed since 2024

Previously, you had to give up your previous citizenship in order to get German citizenship. Depending on your country of origin, fees for this ranged from 0 to over 500 euros; some countries demand substantial amounts for releasing someone from their citizenship.

Since the new citizenship law (June 2024), dual citizenship is generally permitted. This means: in most cases you no longer need to be released from your previous citizenship and you save these costs entirely. More on this at Dual Citizenship since 2024. Still, check with your citizenship office whether this applies to your country of origin.

Hidden costs

Besides the major items, there are some smaller costs that are often overlooked:

• Certified translations: birth certificates, marriage certificates or other foreign documents often have to be translated into German by a sworn translator. Expect 50 to 150 euros, depending on the number of documents.
• Certifications: some authorities require certified copies of your documents. Costs range from 5 to 20 euros per document.
• Passport photos: biometric photos cost around 10 to 15 euros at a photo studio.
• Travel costs: appointments at the Ausländerbehörde, test centers or consulates mean travel costs and often also lost work time.
• Birth certificate or register extract: if you need a fresh birth certificate from your country of origin, additional costs and long waiting times may apply.

Money-saving tips

You can save quite a bit of money on naturalization if you plan smartly:

• Use the Integrationskurs: with the Integrationskurs certificate, you save both the separate language test (150–250 euros) and part of the Einbürgerungstest preparation.
• Practice online for free: instead of booking expensive preparation courses, practice the BAMF questions for free on our site. That quickly saves 50 to 200 euros.
• Check the release requirement: since 2024, dual citizenship is allowed. Check early whether you even need to be released from your previous citizenship; this can save up to 500 euros or more.
• Collect documents: gather all required documents early and in one go to avoid paying for multiple translations and certifications.
• Apply for a fee reduction: if you have a low income or receive social benefits, you can apply for a reduction or waiver of the naturalization fee.