How Much Does German Citizenship Cost? Full 2026 Fee Breakdown
A clear breakdown of what German naturalisation costs in 2026, from the 255 euro application fee to the test, certificates, and when fees can be reduced.
German citizenship is not expensive compared with some other countries, but the headline fee is not the whole story. There are a few smaller costs around it, and the total depends on your family situation and the documents you need to gather. Here is what to budget for in 2026.
The naturalisation fee
The core fee is 255 euros per adult applicant. This is the charge for processing your naturalisation and is the same across Germany. If you naturalise minor children together with you, the fee is reduced to 51 euros per child as long as they are naturalised at the same time as a parent. A child applying alone pays the full 255 euros.
For a single adult, then, the main figure to remember is 255 euros. For a family of two adults and two children naturalising together, the application fees come to roughly 612 euros.
The citizenship test fee
The Einbürgerungstest costs 25 euros each time you sit it. This is paid to the test centre, not to the naturalisation authority, and it is separate from the 255 euro application fee. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you can retake the test, but each new sitting costs another 25 euros.
If you are exempt from the test, for example because you hold a German school-leaving qualification, you save this cost entirely.
Language certificate and documents
The other costs are not official naturalisation fees but money you are likely to spend along the way. A B1 German exam typically costs somewhere in the region of 150 to 250 euros at a test provider, although you may already have a qualifying certificate from an integration course or school. Beyond that, you may need certified copies, official translations of foreign documents, and sometimes an apostille or birth certificate from your home country. These vary widely depending on your nationality and paperwork.
Taken together, most single applicants end up spending somewhere between 400 and 600 euros once the application fee, the test, and document costs are added up.
When fees can be reduced or waived
If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you can apply for a reduction or a waiver of the naturalisation fee. The authority decides this case by case, and you usually have to show your financial situation. This matters most for families, where several full fees would otherwise add up quickly. It is worth asking your naturalisation authority directly rather than assuming you have to pay the full amount.
Where the test fits in
Of all these costs, the citizenship test is the one most worth preparing for properly, because a failed attempt means paying the 25 euro fee again and waiting for another appointment. You can study the entire official question catalogue free on PassCitizen, sorted by topic and with state-specific questions, plus full mock exams in the real format. No account is needed.
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