How much does German citizenship cost?
Enter the number of adults, children and tests: the calculator adds up the statutory fees for your whole family.
Fees and tests together
€662
4 people, fees under s. 38 StAG and the test charge under s. 2 EinbTestV
| Adults × €255 | €510 |
| Children without income × €51 | €102 |
| Children with income × €255 | €0 |
| Citizenship test × €25 | €50 |
Not included: the language exam, translations, certificates and fees charged by your country of origin, which vary by provider and country. A refusal or withdrawal after processing has started costs at least €25 and at most the full fee.
Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · BAMF question catalogue of 7 May 2025 · laws checked on 22 October 2026
Under section 38 of the Nationality Act, naturalisation costs €255 per person. For a minor child naturalised together with a parent and without income of its own, the fee is €51. On top of that, everyone aged 16 or over who sits the citizenship test pays the exam fee of €25. A family of two adults and two children therefore pays €662 in fees if both adults take the test. Prices for the language exam, certified translations and documents from your country of origin are not set by law, so we do not quote them; they depend on the provider and the country. The authority may reduce or waive the fee on grounds of fairness or public interest. If the application is refused or withdrawn after processing has started, a fee between €25 and the full amount may be charged.
The fees set by law
Section 38 StAG sets the fees for all nationality procedures. Naturalisation has two amounts: the full fee and the reduced one for children naturalised with a parent. Confirming whether someone is already German costs €51, and certificates range from €5 to €51. The test is not part of the authority’s procedure; its fee is set by the Citizenship Test Ordinance.
| Item | Amount | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation, per person | €255 | Section 38(2) StAG |
| Minor child without income, with a parent | €51 | Section 38(2) StAG |
| Confirmation of nationality | €51 | Section 38(2) StAG |
| Citizenship test, per attempt | €25 | Section 2 EinbTestV |
| Refusal or withdrawal after processing has started | €25 to full fee | Section 38 StAG and fee law |
Four families, worked out
The table shows the statutory fees as the calculator returns them. Language exam, translations and documents are not included.
| Family | Adults | Children | Tests | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One person | €255 | €0 | €25 | €280 |
| Couple | €510 | €0 | €50 | €560 |
| Couple with two children | €510 | €102 | €50 | €662 |
| Parent, one child without and one with income | €510 | €51 | €50 | €611 |
In the last family, the child with its own income pays the full fee and, if 16 or older, also sits the test. Children under 16 do not take the test; their special rules are on citizenship for children.
Fees for your family
Fees and tests together
€611
| Adults × €255 | €510 |
| Children without income × €51 | €51 |
| Children with income × €255 | €0 |
| Citizenship test × €25 | €50 |
Costs outside the fee schedule
Apart from the fee, the largest item is often the language exam. Its price depends on the provider, and if you attended an integration course you may already hold the certificate; see B1 German certificate. Add the fees charged by your country of origin for a passport, birth or marriage certificate, and their translation by a sworn translator. We do not publish these amounts because there are no uniform figures.
Giving up your old nationality voluntarily costs whatever your country charges. It is no longer required; the reasons are on dual citizenship. After naturalising, you apply for a German ID card and passport at the citizens’ office, with fees set by passport and ID law.
If the application fails
The fee pays for the authority’s work, not for the outcome. If the application is refused, or you withdraw it after the review has begun, the authority sets a fee which, on our reading of the law, lies between €25 and the full amount. If you are unsure whether you meet a requirement, check first with the requirements calculator whether the application stands a chance.