Berlin Citizenship Clock

When are your years for German citizenship complete?

Enter the first day you lived in Germany lawfully and every stay abroad. The clock follows § 12b of the citizenship act: up to six months away is fine, longer can reset it.

Standard: 5 years Married to a German

First day of lawful residence Usually the date on your first Anmeldung or your first permit, whichever came later.

Stays abroad

Counts as residence Short stay abroad, still counts Stay that resets the clock Earlier years that may be credited Book the test and B1 here

A planning aid based on § 9, § 10 and § 12b StAG as of September 2026. Crediting earlier years after a break is at the office's discretion, so the tool shows the date with and without it. The Landesamt für Einwanderung decides your case.