German Citizenship in Munich
Who handles your application in Munich, how to apply, where to take the citizenship test, and why the city says it takes 18 months and longer.
How do I apply for citizenship in Munich and how long does it take?
In Munich the city's naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde der Landeshauptstadt München) handles applications. It asks for a complete online application, which needs a BundID or BayernID account; a username and password are enough. The city states a processing time of 18 months and longer, and gives three reasons: the complexity of the documents to be checked, security checks by the security authorities, which currently take four to six months, and high application numbers. The city of Munich naturalised 6,747 people in 2024 and 7,571 in 2025.
Legal Basis
Law
§38 StAG
Requirement
Naturalisation fee of €255; €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent
Official Source
View law textMunich: Key Facts
| Topic | Munich |
|---|---|
| Authority | Einbürgerungsbehörde der Landeshauptstadt München |
| How to apply | A complete online application. You need a BundID or BayernID account; logging in with username and password is enough, the online ID function is not required. |
| Stated time | 18 months and longer. This is the processing time. The city names the complexity of the documents, security checks (currently four to six months) and high application numbers as the reasons. |
| Faster processing | Possible in proven exceptional cases such as statelessness (travel documents excepted) or an upcoming appointment as a civil servant. Expiring documents or residence permits, planned trips abroad and property purchases are generally not reasons for priority. |
| Fee | €255 per adult, €51 for a minor child naturalised with a parent (§38 StAG). Online, the fee is paid before you send the application; for children, the invoice comes separately at the end of the procedure. By post, you receive the invoice at the end. |
| Document checks | Submitted documents, such as identity papers and language certificates, are checked for authenticity. The city says it reports forgeries to the police. |
| Naturalisations 2024 | 6,747 (regional database, table 12511-04-01-4, city of Munich) |
| Naturalisations 2025 | 7,571 (Bavarian State Office for Statistics, city of Munich). The surrounding Landkreis München is counted separately: 1,787. |
Source: München: Einbürgerungsbehörde der Landeshauptstadt München · Authority page read on 22 October 2026
Where to Take the Citizenship Test in Munich
The seven test centres in the city of Munich on the BAMF list for Bavaria. The test costs €25 (BAMF). The city itself points to the adult education centres (VHS).
| Test centre | Address |
|---|---|
| Münchner Volkshochschule GmbH | Einsteinstr. 28 |
| Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz | Goethestr. 53 |
| Inlingua Sprachschule | Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 6 |
| Anderwerk GmbH | Hamburger Str. 32 |
| DAA München | Marsstr. 42 |
| Bildungsinstitut Kavalchuk | Leopoldstr. 244 |
| MAS Sprachschule München GmbH | Goethestr. 12 |
Source: BAMF: list of citizenship test centres in Bavaria (Prüfstellen BY) · BAMF list read on 22 October 2026 (the list shows no date)
Registering at the Münchner Volkshochschule
The MVHS takes registrations for the citizenship test only in person, at these three locations.
| Location | Opening hours for registration |
|---|---|
| MVHS im Einstein 28, Einsteinstraße 28 | Monday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 7 pm |
| MVHS im Gasteig HP8, Hans-Preißinger-Straße 4-8 | Monday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 7 pm |
| MVHS am Ostbahnhof, Orleansstraße 34 | Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm |
Source: Münchner Volkshochschule: Wege zur Einbürgerung · MVHS page read on 22 October 2026
Your Steps in Munich
Get your B1 certificate
Have your language certificate ready before you apply. Our telc B1 page for Munich lists exam centres and dates.
Tip: telc B1 results take four to six weeks. Book early.
Register for the citizenship test in person
At the MVHS you register in person at one of three locations. The fee is €25. Six other providers in the city are on the BAMF list.
Tip: The MVHS warns that dates can be fully booked before the registration deadline. Cancelling or rebooking costs €10 up to a cut-off date set for each test; after that, cancellation is no longer possible.
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 with BundID or BayernID
Send a complete online application and pay the fee before sending. Your identity documents and language certificates will be checked for authenticity.
Wait
The city states 18 months and longer. Security checks alone currently take four to six months. Faster processing is possible in proven exceptional cases such as statelessness or an upcoming civil-service appointment.
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
The city states a processing time of 18 months and longer. It names three reasons: the complexity of the documents to be checked, security checks, which currently take four to six months, and high application numbers.
Possibly, in proven exceptional cases, such as statelessness (travel documents excepted) or an upcoming appointment as a civil servant. The city says expiring documents or residence permits, planned trips abroad and property purchases are generally not reasons for priority.
No. You need a BundID or BayernID account, but the city says logging in with username and password is enough.
At the Münchner Volkshochschule, where you register in person, or at one of six other providers in the city on the BAMF list. The test costs €25. At the MVHS, cancelling or rebooking before the deadline costs €10.
No. The city states that you cannot apply for naturalisation with a residence permit under §24 AufenthG. The law does not count that permit among the titles that qualify for naturalisation.
7,571 in the city of Munich, according to the Bavarian State Office for Statistics, up from 6,747 in 2024. The Landkreis München around the city is counted separately and had 1,787.
In 2024 the Kreisverwaltungsreferat celebrated the first naturalisation under the new citizenship law with a ceremony in the wedding hall of the registry office. We found no official statement on whether such ceremonies continue.
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- München: Einbürgerungsbehörde der Landeshauptstadt München
- München: news item on the processing time
- Münchner Volkshochschule: Wege zur Einbürgerung
- Münchner Volkshochschule: tests for naturalisation (dates and fees)
- BAMF: citizenship test (fee and marking status)
- BAMF: list of citizenship test centres in Bavaria (Prüfstellen BY)
- Regional database of the statistical offices: naturalisations by district, table 12511-04-01-4
- Bavarian State Office for Statistics: Statistischer Bericht Einbürgerungen in Bayern 2025, table 6
- München, Rathaus Umschau 204/2024: naturalisation ceremony at the registry office
- §38 StAG: fees (gesetze-im-internet.de)