Germany Allows Fee-Free Citizenship Applications for Six Groups

Germany has announced that under Section 38 of the Nationality Act (StAG), certain categories of individuals can apply for citizenship without incurring any fees, effective in 2026. The standard naturalisation fee is set at 255 euros (approximately N384,897), with a reduced fee of 51 euros for minor children naturalised alongside a parent, provided the child has no income.

The following groups are exempt from nationality fees: individuals naturalised under Article 116, paragraph 2 of the Basic Law; those naturalised under Section 15 of the Nationality Act; former Germans who lost citizenship through marriage to a foreign national; individuals making acquisition declarations under Section 5; those renouncing German citizenship; and individuals whose citizenship status is being determined by authorities on their own initiative under Section 30, paragraph 1. The law also allows authorities to lower or waive fees based on public interest or personal circumstances.

Fees may apply if an application is withdrawn or rejected after substantive review.