German Citizenship in Hamburg
Who handles your application in Hamburg, how to apply, where to take the citizenship test, and what the authority says about processing time.
How do I apply for citizenship in Hamburg and how long does it take?
In Hamburg the naturalisation department of the Amt für Migration handles applications. It asks you to apply online and says that other routes can lengthen the processing time. It states that the average processing time is currently, as a rule, more than fourteen months, and that processing only starts once the required residence periods are met. Hamburg naturalised 9,598 people in 2024 and 11,504 in 2025. About 16,500 applications were filed in 2025. Every new citizen is invited to a ceremony at City Hall.
Legal Basis
Law
§38 StAG
Requirement
Naturalisation fee of €255; €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent
Official Source
View law textHamburg: Key Facts
| Topic | Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Authority | Behörde für Inneres und Sport, Amt für Migration, Einbürgerungsabteilung |
| How to apply | Online. Hamburg says applying by another route can lengthen the processing time. |
| Stated time | Average processing time currently, as a rule, more than fourteen months. The authority's review of 2025 says to expect about 14 months on average in 2026 as well. |
| When processing starts | Once the residence periods generally required for naturalisation are met. |
| Status enquiries | Not answered at present, because of extremely high application numbers. |
| Fee | €255 per adult, €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent (§38 StAG). Due when you apply. Whether a reduction is possible if you receive public funds is clarified during the procedure. |
| Applications 2025 | About 16,500 |
| Naturalisations 2024 | 9,598 (regional database, table 12511-04-01-4) |
| Naturalisations 2025 | 11,504, which is 1,906 or 19.9% more than in 2024 (Statistikamt Nord) |
Source: Hamburg: overview of the naturalisation procedure · Authority pages read on 22 October 2026
Where to Take the Citizenship Test in Hamburg
The nine test centres on the BAMF list for Hamburg. The test costs €25 (BAMF). The Hamburger Volkshochschule runs it several times a month on behalf of BAMF.
| Test centre | Address |
|---|---|
| Akademikerbund Hamburg e.V. | Neue Große Bergstraße 6a |
| Arab World IC GmbH | Michaelispassage 1 |
| Arbeit, Bildung, Integration (ABI) e.V. | Steindamm 9 |
| Colón | Colonnaden 96 |
| DAA Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie GmbH | Möllner Landstr. 8-12 |
| Diakonisches Werk Hamburg | Königstraße 54 |
| Hamburger Volkshochschule | Schanzenstr. 75/77 |
| IBH – Interkulturelle Bildung Hamburg e.V. | Conventstraße 14 |
| KOM gGmbH | Kieler Str. 208 |
Source: BAMF: list of citizenship test centres in Hamburg (Prüfstellen HH) · BAMF list read on 22 October 2026 (the list shows no date)
Who Was Naturalised in Hamburg in 2025
The five most common previous nationalities.
| Previous nationality | Naturalisations 2025 |
|---|---|
| Syria | 1,592 |
| Afghanistan | 1,234 |
| Turkey | 885 |
| Iran | 865 |
| Russia | 840 |
Source: Statistikamt Nord: Statistik informiert Nr. 89/2026 (18 June 2026) · Data year 2025
Your Steps in Hamburg
Get your B1 certificate
Have your language certificate ready before you apply. Our telc B1 page for Hamburg lists exam centres and dates.
Tip: telc B1 results take four to six weeks. Book early.
Book the citizenship test
At the Hamburger Volkshochschule you register online while places are free. Booking usually opens in the morning, and the VHS says tests are typically fully booked within minutes. There is no waiting list. The €25 fee is collected by direct debit. Eight other providers on the BAMF list also run the test.
Tip: If you are registered in another federal state, you can still take the test in Hamburg. You automatically get the three state-specific questions for the state where you are registered.
Wait for the BAMF result
BAMF marks the test and sends you the certificate. The result takes weeks; BAMF states on its citizenship test page which exam date it is currently marking.
Apply online and pay the fee
Apply online, as Hamburg asks. The fee is due when you apply. If you receive public funds, whether the fee can be reduced is clarified during the procedure.
Wait
The average processing time is currently, as a rule, more than fourteen months. Processing starts only once the required residence periods are met, and status enquiries are not answered at present.
Collect your certificate and join the ceremony
You receive the certificate in person, and your original documents are checked a final time at that appointment. The First Mayor invites all new citizens to a ceremony at City Hall, held several times a year, where you can also receive your certificate from the mayor.
German citizenship also needs proof of B1 German. You can practise for it here:
Free telc B1 Modelltest — practise online with answers
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Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Hamburg states that the average processing time is currently, as a rule, more than fourteen months. The authority's review of 2025 says to expect about 14 months on average in 2026 as well. Processing starts only once the required residence periods are met.
Hamburg asks you to apply online and says that other routes can lengthen the processing time.
At the Hamburger Volkshochschule or one of eight other providers on the BAMF list. The test costs €25. At the VHS, places are released online in the morning and usually go within minutes.
Yes, according to the Hamburger Volkshochschule. You automatically get the three state-specific questions for the federal state where you are registered.
Yes. The First Mayor invites every newly naturalised Hamburg resident to a ceremony at City Hall. The ceremonies take place several times a year, and you can receive your certificate there from the mayor.
11,504, according to Statistikamt Nord, 19.9% more than the 9,598 of 2024. The most common previous nationalities were Syrian, Afghan, Turkish, Iranian and Russian.
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- Hamburg: overview of the naturalisation procedure
- Hamburg: naturalisation review 2025 (Einbürgerungsbilanz)
- Hamburger Volkshochschule: citizenship test
- Hamburger Volkshochschule: citizenship test FAQ
- BAMF: citizenship test (fee and marking status)
- BAMF: list of citizenship test centres in Hamburg (Prüfstellen HH)
- Regional database of the statistical offices: naturalisations by district, table 12511-04-01-4
- Statistikamt Nord: Statistik informiert Nr. 89/2026
- §38 StAG: fees (gesetze-im-internet.de)