The German government has officially published the fees foreign nationals must pay when applying for German citizenship. The fee schedule, available on the official government website, distinguishes between adult applicants and underage children who are included in a parent's or guardian's application.
Fee Breakdown for Adult and Child Applicants
According to the official information, adult applicants are required to pay €255 (approximately N398,437). For each underage child who has no income of their own and is included in a parent's application, the fee is reduced to €51 (approximately N79,687). These fees are mandatory and must be settled before any citizenship application can be processed.
The official statement from the German government's website reads: "There is usually a fee for this. The current fee is €255 per person. A fee of €51 must be paid for each underage child who has no income of their own and is included in the application."
Conditions for Reduced Child Fee
The reduced fee of €51 applies specifically to underage children who have no independent income and are applying as dependents of an adult applicant. If a child applies independently or alongside an adult but the child has their own income, the standard adult fee of €255 may apply. The payment must be submitted to the relevant authority before any application advances.
Implications for Nigerian Applicants
For Nigerian nationals considering relocation to Germany, the exchange rate translates the adult fee to approximately N398,437 and the child fee to about N79,687. These figures provide a clearer financial picture for families planning to apply for citizenship. The German government emphasizes that no application will be processed until the applicable fee has been paid in full.
Context and Related Information
This fee announcement comes amid broader global discussions on citizenship processes. In a related development, the Indian government recently outlined five official pathways to Indian citizenship: by birth, descent, naturalization, registration, or incorporation of territory. Applicants must provide specific documents depending on the category. The German fee structure, however, remains focused on ensuring that all administrative costs are covered upfront, streamlining the application process for applicants worldwide.
