Naturalization gives you German citizenship. This makes you an equal citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany with all rights and obligations.

Among other things, you can

• exercise your right to vote in the federal states and in the Bundestag,
• enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union as a citizen of the Union and
• can also travel to many countries outside Europe without a visa.

You are a stateless foreigner

• if you are stateless or
• if you have a foreign nationality,

and

• had to leave your home country in connection with the 2nd World War and
• were legally and habitually resident in the area of application of the Basic Law on June 30, 1950.

You also have the same status if you are descended from homeless foreigners and were legally and habitually resident in the Federal Republic of Germany on 01.01.1991.

As a homeless foreigner, you are entitled to naturalization if you have been legally resident in Germany for at least 7 years and have not been convicted of a criminal offence. This does not apply to convictions for a fine or a juvenile or prison sentence of up to one year, the execution of which has been suspended on probation.

The requirements you have to meet are less extensive compared to the other naturalization options. And the fee is lower.

In addition, your spouse and underage children can also be naturalized, even if they have not lived in Germany as long as you have.

Naturalization takes effect when the naturalization certificate is issued. The competent authority is the citizenship authority responsible for your place of residence (district or independent city).