Through naturalization, you will obtain German citizenship. This makes you a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany with equal rights and obligations.

With German citizenship, you can, among other things,

• exercise your right to vote in local elections, state elections, elections to the German Bundestag, and elections to the European Parliament.
• enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union (EU), meaning
  • move freely within the EU,
  • work as an employee or self-employed person within the EU, and
  • travel to many countries outside the EU without a visa.

If you have been stateless in Germany since birth, you are eligible for naturalization under certain conditions.

Stateless persons are individuals whom no country recognizes as its nationals.

Naturalization takes effect upon receipt of the naturalization certificate.

The competent authority is the citizenship office in your place of residence.