What happens if you are a refugee or asylum seeker who arrives in Germany? In the latter, you can acquire German citizenship after staying in the country for more than five years, provided you are well integrated into the local culture and society. To be integrated implies, among others, to have enough money, to speak German, and to obey the national laws.
In short, the formal means to citizenship include recognised status as a refugee or asylum seeker → permanent residency, → German citizenship.
Become a recognised refugee/asylum seeker
The initial step to becoming a citizen in Germany as a refugee or an asylum seeker is the official determination of your status. Once you have gotten a successful asylum application, you will be given a residence permit. This is the way that the initial process occurs:
Once you arrive, you will be required to do a registration at a reception facility, which will provide you with a document called a proof of arrival document. That will contain your personal information and a confirmation of your legal presence in the country.
Then you will need to make your official asylum application to the Federal Office of Migration and Refugees (BAMF) office. In the first place, you will be given a temporary permit lasting until the asylum process is completed (Aufenthaltsgestattung).
In case your application is successful, a residence permit is issued to you, which normally lasts three years. Your residence permit may be extended and may result in permanent residency and German citizenship.
Required documentation for employment in Germany as a refugee or asylum seeker:
After a residence period of five years in Germany, a permanent settlement permit can be applied for. The conditions you must meet to qualify to receive a settlement permit as a refugee or asylum seeker in Germany include the following:
- You have resided in Germany, with a valid residence permit, for at least five years. In some cases, you can qualify after three years (e.g. when you have integrated remarkably well into German society).
- You can communicate in German at least on the A2 level. You will need to be able to speak German on a C1 level to qualify to settle after three years.
- You are not financially dependent. Most of your expenses should be covered by you alone or with spousal support, and you should need little or no support from the Jobcenter or social welfare office. The allowable share of welfare benefits differs according to the federal state (between 50-75 percent). The financial requirements are more stringent in the cases of three-year applications.
- You have sufficient accommodation. Your house should be able to house your family, typically. This would mean 12 square meters per family member aged 6 and above and 10 square meters per child below the age of 6. Babies under 2 are not included. Specific requirements are different by federal state
- Your reasons to be given the protection status are still intact. That is, BAMF should not have withdrawn your recognition or recommended against your status of protection.
- You cannot have a criminal record, and anything on your record that does not align well with the safety and order of the people.
- You must have passed the orientation course.
Why this step is important: You are required to have a settlement permit to make an application to obtain German citizenship through naturalisation.
German Citizenship (Einbuergerung)
With a permanent settlement permit, you can make an application to become a German citizen by naturalisation. To get a naturalised citizenship of Germany, one has to fulfil the following requirements:
- You must have been a resident in Germany, under a qualifying residence permit, for at least five years. Even the time you took in waiting until your status is identified is taken into account.
- Language proficiency. You must be able to speak German at level B1 or higher.
- Financial independence. Like the settlement permit, you must be reasonably independent financially and not over-reliant on state benefits.
- Civic knowledge. You have to pass the naturalisation test (Einbürgerungstest) that comprises German laws, history, and society.
- No grievous criminal record. Minor infractions will not disqualify a person, but serious criminal convictions usually do.
- Commitment of loyalty. You should declare yourself to be an upholder of the democratic and constitutional order of Germany.
- Dual citizenship permitted: With the new law, you no longer have to give up your original nationality in most cases.
Required documentation
When applying for German citizenship as a refugee or asylum seeker, you will normally have to submit the following documents. These assist the officials to realise your legal status in Germany, your stay duration in Germany, and how well you have integrated.
Identity documents
Bring your passport, where possible. In case you do not have one, you may also provide any other documents of identification, including a national ID card, a driving license, or a travel document for stateless persons.
Birth certificates include any certificates, depending on your personal history, such as a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or adoption papers.
Identification of legal residence status
Your permanent or long-term residence in Germany is normally confirmed through your electronic residence permit (eAT). In other instances, a temporary permit- skilled workers or family reunification can also be valid.
Housing
Provide a copy of the lease agreement or other evidence of the fact that you have stable housing in Germany.
The residence in Germany for the last five years
You can provide some documents such as pension insurance forms, work records, school or training certificates, bank statements or medical appointment records, which demonstrate frequent activity in Germany.
You can also view these posts:
Getting Germany’s passport
Things to know before immigrating to Germany
Frequently Asked Questions on Germany
