255 euros, 12 months of waiting, and a stack of translated documents - that’s what stands between you and a German passport. But the biggest trap isn’t even that. Most Ukrainians with §24 (temporary protection) don’t realize you can’t apply for Einbürgerung with that residence permit at all. You need to switch your status first. Let’s break down the entire process step by step - from requirements to the exact list of documents and translations you’ll need.
What Changed in 2025-2026: New Naturalization Rules¶
On June 27, 2024, a new citizenship law (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz) took effect, and it changed the game. Here’s what matters:
Dual citizenship - now legal. Previously, you had to give up your Ukrainian passport to get a German one. Not anymore. You can hold both simultaneously. Ukraine also passed its own dual citizenship law on June 19, 2025, so you’re covered on both sides.
The 3-year “turbo naturalization” - cancelled. In 2024, Germany introduced a fast track allowing citizenship after just 3 years for people with “special integration achievements.” As of October 30, 2025, that option is gone. The minimum is now 5 years of residence.
Stricter fraud penalties. If you submit fake documents or provide false information, it’s not just a rejection. It’s a 10-year ban on reapplying.
Who Can Apply for Einbürgerung: Basic Requirements¶
To qualify for naturalization, you need to meet all of these criteria at the same time:
1. At least 5 years of legal residence in Germany. Counted from the date of your first registration (Anmeldung). Good news - time spent under §24 counts toward these 5 years.
2. A permanent or stable residence permit. And here’s the main catch for Ukrainians. §24 AufenthG (temporary protection) doesn’t qualify for Einbürgerung. You need to switch to a different permit type first - work visa (§18a, §18b), EU Blue Card, family reunification, or Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence).
3. German language level B1 or higher. You’ll need a certificate (usually from Goethe-Institut, telc, or DTZ after an integration course). Requirements may be reduced for people over 67 or with disabilities.
4. Passed Einbürgerungstest (or “Leben in Deutschland”). 33 questions, 60 minutes, you need at least 17 correct answers. Questions cover Germany’s political system, history, and laws. The test costs 25 euros.
5. Financial self-sufficiency. Meaning you’re not receiving Bürgergeld (social benefits). There are exceptions if you lost your job through no fault of your own, but generally - stable income is required.
6. No criminal record. Minor fines (up to 90 daily rates) usually don’t matter, but serious offenses mean rejection.
7. Commitment to the free democratic order. A formal declaration you sign when applying.
§24 and Einbürgerung: Why You Need to Switch Status¶
This is the most common question from Ukrainians. You’ve been living in Germany since 2022, you have §24, you work, you pay taxes - and you assume that after 5 years you can automatically apply for citizenship. But no.
§24 AufenthG is a temporary protection permit. It gets automatically extended (currently until March 4, 2027), but it doesn’t qualify for Einbürgerung. You need to switch to:
- §18a/§18b AufenthG - work visa for qualified workers
- §19c - for self-employed or freelancers
- EU Blue Card - for professionals with a university degree and salary above the threshold
- §28 - family permit (if married to a German citizen)
- Niederlassungserlaubnis - permanent residence permit
Switching from §24 to another permit is possible without restrictions - you just need to meet the requirements for the new permit type. Contact the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office) in your city.
One user on a forum for Ukrainians in Germany shared: “I thought I could apply for citizenship after 5 years with §24. Went to the Einbürgerungsbehörde - they said §24 doesn’t qualify, I need to switch to a work permit first. Spent another 3 months changing my status, and only then could I submit my application.”
Full Document Checklist for Einbürgerung¶
Each Einbürgerungsbehörde may have its own specifics, but the core package is the same everywhere. Here’s what you need to collect:
Documents That Need Translation¶
| Document | Apostille needed? | Translation type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
| Marriage certificate (if married) | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
| Divorce certificate (if divorced) | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
| Children’s birth certificates | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
| University diploma / school certificate | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
| Criminal record clearance from Ukraine | Yes | Beglaubigte Übersetzung |
Beglaubigte Übersetzung means a translation done by a sworn translator (beeidigter/vereidigter Übersetzer) - someone who took an oath in a German court and has an official stamp. A regular notarized translation from Ukraine won’t be accepted.
Documents in German (No Translation Needed)¶
- Completed Einbürgerung application (Einbürgerungsantrag)
- Valid passport (Ukrainian international passport)
- Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) - NOT §24!
- Anmeldung (registration at your address)
- B1 certificate (or higher) for German language
- Einbürgerungstest or “Leben in Deutschland” test certificate
- Income proof (Gehaltsabrechnungen for the last 3-6 months)
- Employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag)
- Employer reference (Arbeitgeberbescheinigung)
- Tax records (Steuerbescheide)
- Rental agreement (Mietvertrag)
- Tax clearance certificate
- Passport-sized photos
How Much Does Einbürgerung Cost: Full Breakdown¶
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Einbürgerung fee (adult) | €255 |
| Einbürgerung fee (child, with parents) | €51 |
| Einbürgerungstest | €25 |
| Document translations (sworn translator) | €200-400 for the full package |
| Apostilles on documents (Ukraine) | from 670 UAH each |
| B1 certificate (if you don’t have one yet) | €150-250 |
| Total (typical for one adult) | ~€700-1,000 |
Translations are a significant cost. A single sworn translation runs €35-60 per document, and you might need 5-7 documents translated. If you have kids, a spouse, marriage and divorce certificates - the package adds up.
You can find a sworn translator through the official database justiz-dolmetscher.de - select the language pair Ukrainisch-Deutsch and your city.
Step-by-Step Plan¶
Step 1: Check if you qualify¶
Before collecting documents, make sure: - You’ve lived in Germany for at least 5 years - You have a residence permit (NOT §24) - You have B1 or higher - You’re employed and not receiving Bürgergeld - No criminal record
Step 2: Prepare your Ukrainian documents¶
This is the longest phase. You need original documents, apostilles, and translations.
The correct order matters: apostille first, then translation. The translator must translate both the document itself and the apostille text. If you do it the other way around, you’ll have to order the translation again.
If your original documents are inaccessible (stuck in temporarily occupied territory), request duplicates through the Ukrainian civil registry. Einbürgerungsbehörde staff are generally understanding about this situation and may accept alternative proof.
Step 3: Pass the Einbürgerungstest¶
310 questions in the database, you get 33 on the actual test. You need 17 correct. You can practice for free using the official BAMF test center. Most people pass on the first try if they study for at least a week.
Step 4: Submit your application¶
Book an appointment at the Einbürgerungsbehörde (or Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde) in your city. Some cities allow online submissions, others require an in-person visit. The €255 fee is usually paid when you submit.
Step 5: Wait¶
Average processing time across Germany is about 12 months. In Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich it can be 14-18 months. In smaller cities - faster, sometimes 6-8 months.
Step 6: Ceremony¶
Once approved, you’ll be invited to a naturalization ceremony (Einbürgerungsfeier), where you’ll receive your naturalization certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde). After that, you can apply for a German passport and Personalausweis.
What to Do if Documents Were Lost Due to the War¶
A painful reality for many Ukrainians. If your original documents are in occupied territory or were destroyed:
- Request duplicates through the Ukrainian civil registry - even if the original office is inaccessible, archives may have been evacuated.
- Contact the Ukrainian consulate in Germany - they help with document restoration.
- Explain the situation to Einbürgerungsbehörde - German officials are aware of the situation in Ukraine and may accept alternative proof (for example, a registry extract instead of an original certificate).
- Criminal record certificate - if you can’t get one from Ukraine, some Einbürgerungsbehörde offices accept a written explanation (Erklärung) instead.
Common Mistakes When Applying¶
Applying with §24. I’ll repeat this because it’s the most common mistake - switch your residence permit type first, then apply for Einbürgerung.
Translations not from a sworn translator. Translations from a bureau in Ukraine or from a regular translator won’t be accepted. You need a beeidigter Übersetzer with a stamp and registration number.
Apostille after translation. The correct order is: original → apostille → translation (including the apostille). Not the other way around.
Receiving Bürgergeld at the time of application. If you’re on social benefits, that’s generally grounds for rejection. You need stable employment income.
Name discrepancies. If your name is transliterated differently across documents (Oleksandr vs Olexandr vs Aleksandr), it’ll delay the process. Give the translator all your documents at once, including your international passport, so the transliteration stays consistent.
FAQ¶
How much does Einbürgerung cost in Germany?¶
The official fee is €255 for an adult and €51 for a child (if applying with parents). The Einbürgerungstest costs €25. You’ll also need to pay for document translations (€200-400 for a typical package) and apostilles. Total budget is roughly €700-1,000 per adult.
Can I apply for Einbürgerung with §24 AufenthG?¶
No, §24 (temporary protection) doesn’t qualify for naturalization. You need to switch to a different residence permit type first - work, family, EU Blue Card, or Niederlassungserlaubnis. The time you spent under §24 does count toward your total residence period, though.
How long does the naturalization process take?¶
From application to certificate - about 12 months on average. In major cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg) it can take 14-18 months. In smaller cities - 6-8 months. Add 1-2 months for gathering documents and translations before you even apply.
Do I have to give up my Ukrainian citizenship?¶
No. Since June 27, 2024, Germany allows dual citizenship. Ukraine also passed its own dual citizenship law on June 19, 2025. You can hold both passports at the same time.
Which documents need to be translated for Einbürgerung?¶
All documents from Ukraine - birth certificate, marriage/divorce certificate, diploma, criminal record clearance. They must be translated by a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) in Germany. Each document also needs an apostille from Ukraine before translation.
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