With naturalization you receive German citizenship. This means that you become 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 for the Bundestag,
• enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union as a citizen of the Union and
• can also travel outside Europe to many countries without a visa.

You are a homeless foreigner,

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

and

• had to leave your homeland in connection with the 2nd World War and
• you were legally and ordinarily resident in the area of application of the Basic Law as of June 30, 1950.

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

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

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

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

The naturalization becomes effective with the delivery of the naturalization certificate. The competent authority is the citizenship authority responsible for your place of residence (administrative district or independent city).