How long does it take to live in Germany to obtain permanent residency?

According to German regulations, people over 16 years old can apply, and people under 16 years old must apply on their behalf.

1. At the time of application, I should hold permanent residency in Germany.

2. Pass the naturalization test (acquire knowledge about German legal system, social system and life).

3. Eight years of normal and legal residence and life in Germany (this period can be shortened to seven years for applicants who have successfully participated in the immigrant integration class, and to six years for applicants who have achieved excellent results in the integration class).

4. Have independent living expenses guarantee (also applicable to family members), and do not receive social welfare and Class II unemployment benefits ("Hartz IV").

5. Have sufficient knowledge of German.

6. No criminal record.

7. Recognize the basic social system of freedom and democracy in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.

8. Agree to renounce one's original nationality. (Note: Germany does not recognize dual nationality)

It should be noted that if the applicant cannot meet the above conditions, in principle, he cannot apply for naturalization. At the same time, the relevant institutions responsible for naturalization applications have the right to make their own decisions. If the applicant's application for naturalization is for the public interest, he can be naturalized as long as several basic conditions are met. However, this regulation is mostly aimed at athletes. For example, after applying for a German passport, a football player of Turkish origin can play for the German national team and represent Germany in the competition.

If one or both parents hold German passports, children born in Germany will automatically acquire German citizenship. If a child's parents are foreigners, but at least one of them has legally lived and lived in Germany for more than eight years and has the right of permanent residence at the time of the child's birth, the child can also obtain German nationality, but they must choose whether to retain German nationality or their parents' nationality at the age of 18 to 23.

The naturalization fee is 255 euros per person. Minor children who are naturalized with their parents only need to pay 5 1 euro. Minors who are naturalized independently without their parents still have to pay 255 euros. Low-income applicants, or those who have multiple children who are naturalized at the same time, can appropriately reduce fees or agree to pay by installments.