The cost of naturalisation in Germany is often lower than people expect — but beyond the official fee, there are several additional costs to plan for. Here's a complete, honest cost overview for 2025.
Official Naturalisation Fee
The official fee is set by law at €255 per person. For minor children being naturalised together with a parent: €51 per child. Hardship reduction: If you can demonstrate financial hardship, the fee can be reduced to €51 (at the authority's discretion). You'll need to apply for this and provide supporting documentation.
Additional Costs to Budget For
Language certificate (Goethe B1, telc B1, DTZ): €70–150 depending on provider and location. Citizenship test (BAMF): €25 per attempt. Certified translations of foreign documents: €50–150 per document (depending on length and translator). For birth/marriage certificates from abroad, budget €100–300 total for translations. Apostille in your home country: €20–100 (varies by country). Biometric passport photo: €10–15.
Realistic total for a single person: €400–700, depending on how many foreign documents need translating. For a family of two adults and two children: €700–1,200.
Any Subsidies or Refunds Available?
There's no nationwide funding programme that directly reimburses naturalisation costs. However: Bürgergeld recipients may qualify for a reduced fee. Some employers (especially international companies) cover naturalisation costs as part of relocation packages — worth asking. Tax filing: naturalisation costs may qualify as extraordinary expenses in certain cases — consult a tax advisor.
The costs are a one-time investment in your long-term future in Germany. Questions about what you'll specifically need to pay? Sylum gives you a transparent cost estimate for your situation. Contact us at sylum.de/contact.
