German citizenship 2026 — the honest map for Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis
The 2026 rules of Einbürgerung after the fast-track repeal: the 5-year clock, which residence permits count, B1 German, the 33-question test, secure livelihood — and what a German passport means for your Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi one.
One road left: 5 years, B1, one test
The 3-year fast-track died on 30 October 2025 — with no mercy for applications already filed. What remains is a clear, plannable path: 5 years of counted residence, B1 German, the Einbürgerungstest, and paperwork you can start collecting today.
Standard residence requirement (§10 StAG) — the 3-year track is gone
5 years
The Turbo-Einbürgerung (3 years with C1 + special integration) was repealed on 30.10.2025, and courts applied the new law even to applications filed in time. Plan on 5 years — and apply the month you qualify, because the CDU is pushing for 8.
The six requirements (§10 StAG)
5 years lawful residence
The clockCounted from your first lawful, habitual residence. Stays abroad up to 6 months don't interrupt it (§12b). Married to a German ≥2 years? The clock shortens to 3 years (§9).
A qualifying residence title
At applicationNiederlassungserlaubnis, Blue Card, §18a/§18b, family permits all qualify. A §16b student permit does not — you must switch first, but your study years still count in full (administrative practice).
B1 German — all four skills
150–230 €Goethe/telc/ÖSD B1 or the DTZ with B1 in every skill. A German degree taught in German waives it. Prepare here.
Einbürgerungstest
25 €33 questions, pass at 17. With practice the pass rate is very high — train with the real 460 questions.
Secure livelihood
No Bürgergeld/SozialhilfeThe 2024 reform removed the old "not at fault" exception. Kindergeld, Elterngeld, Wohngeld, BAföG and ALG I are generally harmless; Bürgergeld and Sozialhilfe block the standard route (narrow exceptions exist).
Clean record + declarations
§12a + Nr. 1/1aMinor penalties are disregarded (up to 90 Tagessätze / 3 months suspended, summed). Since 2024 you also explicitly acknowledge Germany's responsibility for the Nazi past and the protection of Jewish life.
What it costs
255 €
Application fee per adult
51 €
Per minor child co-naturalized with you
25 €
Einbürgerungstest participation fee
Full breakdown with B1 exam, translations and document verification: what naturalization really costs.
Your old passport: three very different answers
| Provider | Dual citizenship? | What actually happens |
|---|---|---|
🇮🇳 India Germany allows dual since June 2024 — India doesn't. | No — Indian law, not German | Indian citizenship terminates automatically; surrender the passport, then the OCI card restores lifelong visa-free residence and work rights (no voting, no agricultural land) |
🇵🇰 Pakistan Best | Yes — NEW since January 2026 | Germany is now on Pakistan's official dual-nationality list (entry #20); you keep the green passport |
🇧🇩 Bangladesh Confirm current rules with the Special Branch before relying on it. | Yes in practice (EU-country rule) | Recommended: Dual Citizenship Certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs (~4–6 months) for NID/property matters |
Germany allows dual since June 2024 — India doesn't.
- Dual citizenship?
- No — Indian law, not German
- What actually happens
- Indian citizenship terminates automatically; surrender the passport, then the OCI card restores lifelong visa-free residence and work rights (no voting, no agricultural land)
- Dual citizenship?
- Yes — NEW since January 2026
- What actually happens
- Germany is now on Pakistan's official dual-nationality list (entry #20); you keep the green passport
Confirm current rules with the Special Branch before relying on it.
- Dual citizenship?
- Yes in practice (EU-country rule)
- What actually happens
- Recommended: Dual Citizenship Certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs (~4–6 months) for NID/property matters
Details and sources: dual citizenship 2026.
Where to go next
- Am I eligible, and when? → Readiness calculator
- The test, without fear → Trainer with all 460 official questions + explanations and the B1 + test guide
- The application itself → step-by-step process guide
- The German you need anyway → the learning stack
Rules may tighten: the CDU resolved in February 2026 to push for 8-year residence and restrictions on dual citizenship. Nothing has changed in law as of our last verification — but it is one more reason to apply as soon as you are eligible, because the law applied is the one in force when your case is decided.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Keine Rechtsberatung — this guide is general information, not legal advice. Your Einbürgerungsbehörde decides your individual case.