Immigration

German Citizenship in Kiel

Who handles naturalisation in Kiel, how the online application and advance payment work, where to get help, and where to take the citizenship test.

How do I apply for citizenship in Kiel and how long does it take?

You apply online to the Stadtamt of the City of Kiel (Einbürgerung und Staatsangehörigkeitsangelegenheiten), after checking the requirements with the Quick-Check. An advance payment is due when you submit, by credit card or PayPal. The city states no processing time. Before you are naturalised, it invites you to a personal appointment with a conversation about the free democratic basic order. In 2024, 667 people living in Kiel were naturalised, and 513 in 2025.

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Kiel: Key Facts

Topic	What applies in Kiel
Authority	Landeshauptstadt Kiel, Stadtamt, Einbürgerung und Staatsangehörigkeitsangelegenheiten
How to apply	Online (the city offers the online application). The city asks you to check first with the Quick-Check whether you meet all the requirements.
Help with the form	A video consultation hour for help with the online application, booked through the city's appointment system.
Stated time	The authority states no processing time.
Personal appointment	Before naturalisation the city invites you to a personal appointment with a conversation about the free democratic basic order.
Fee	€255 per adult, €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent (§38 StAG, nationwide). In Kiel an advance payment is made electronically when you submit the online application, by credit card or PayPal. Cash and bank transfer are not possible.
Naturalisations 2024	667 (2.0% of the foreign population at the end of the previous year; 5.6% of those resident for 10+ years). Regional database, table 12511-04-01-4.
Naturalisations 2025	513, which is 154 fewer than in 2024 (−23.1%). Statistikamt Nord, Statistik informiert Nr. 90/2026.

Source: Landeshauptstadt Kiel: Einbürgerung · City page read on 22 October 2026

Where to Take the Citizenship Test in Kiel

The City of Kiel says the test can be taken at the adult education centres (Volkshochschulen). The state association of Volkshochschulen says the test costs €25 everywhere.

Test centre	Address	Note
Förde-vhs	Muhliusstraße 29-31, 24103 Kiel	Register in person during opening hours. You must be registered as a resident in Schleswig-Holstein. Fee €25, transferred after you register; no cash.
Landesverband der Volkshochschulen Schleswig-Holsteins e.V.	Holstenbrücke 7, 24103 Kiel	The one test centre on the BAMF list for Schleswig-Holstein, covering all districts. Tests take place at Volkshochschulen and some other institutions.

Source: BAMF: citizenship test centres in Schleswig-Holstein (Prüfstellen-SH) · List and vhs pages read on 22 October 2026

Step by Step to the Certificate

Get your B1 certificate

You need German at B1 level, usually proven with a certificate such as telc Deutsch B1 or DTZ. Book a date with an exam centre in Kiel early.

Register for the citizenship test at the Förde-vhs

Go to the Förde-vhs in Muhliusstraße during opening hours: registration is in person only, and you must be registered as a resident in Schleswig-Holstein. Transfer the €25 fee after you register.

Tip: BAMF marks the tests centrally. Its naturalisation page shows how far marking has got.

Run the Quick-Check

The city asks you to check with the Quick-Check whether you meet all the requirements before you apply. If you need help with the online form, book the video consultation hour.

Apply online and make the advance payment

Submit the application online. The advance payment is taken electronically when you submit, by credit card or PayPal. Cash and bank transfer are not accepted.

Attend the personal appointment

Before naturalisation the city invites you to a personal appointment that includes a conversation about the free democratic basic order.

German citizenship also needs proof of B1 German. You can practise for it here:

Free telc B1 Modelltest — practise online with answers

Real tasks from every section in the authentic exam format. You see the answer straight after each task — no PDF to download.

Related Guides

How Long German Citizenship Takes

German Citizenship Requirements

The Citizenship Test (Einbürgerungstest)

Applying for German Citizenship Online

What German Citizenship Costs

telc B1 exam in Kiel: centres and dates

Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Kiel states no processing time on its naturalisation page. We do not quote unofficial figures.

An advance payment is made electronically when you submit the online application, by credit card or PayPal. Cash payments and bank transfers are not possible. The fee itself is set nationwide: €255 per adult and €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent.

Yes. The city offers a video consultation hour for help with the online naturalisation application, booked through its appointment system.

At the Förde-vhs in Muhliusstraße 29-31. You register in person during opening hours and must be registered as a resident in Schleswig-Holstein. The test costs €25, which you transfer after registering.