Special Rule: "Discretionary Naturalisation"
In some cases you can be naturalised at the discretion of the naturalisation authorities even if you have not been resident in Germany for 8 years. However, there are strict conditions regarding this procedure: exceptions, for instance, in the case of social welfare recipients are not permitted in this case.
Naturalisation can occur within a shorter period of time for people who have been granted asylum (under Article 16a of the German Constitution), refugees who have been recognised under the Geneva Convention or those who are stateless: these people can apply for citizenship after a period of 6 years.
For spouses of German citizens the following rules apply: the couple must have been married for at least two years at the moment of naturalisation and the spouse resident in Germany for at least three years before any application can be made.
Print :