German Citizenship Oath: Text, Translations & Exemptions

Taking the German Loyalty oath is among the mandatory procedures for foreigners naturalizing and acquiring German citizenship.

The procedures for taking this oath may vary slightly depending on each federal state or its local Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde), but the core content and wording of the oath remain strictly unchanged.

I will dedicate a separate topic to explaining and simplifying it in detail, as most questions raised during the loyalty declaration appointment revolve around memorizing and fully comprehending the Citizenship Oath words. Taking this oath is a definitive prerequisite for receiving the naturalization certificate.

The German Loyalty oath for Naturalization (German citizenship oath text + Translated into 3 Languages) and Exemptions

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1. The Written german citizenship oath text: The Oath of Allegiance

The German legislator has explicitly incorporated the German oath of citizenship within the provisions of Section 16 of the Nationality Act. The precise german citizenship oath words in german are formulated as follows:

• In German (The official language in which the german oath of citizenship in german is taken): "Ich erkläre feierlich, dass ich das Grundgesetz und die Gesetze der Bundesrepublik Deutschland achten und alles unterlassen werde, was ihr schaden könnte."
• In English (German Citizenship Oath English translation): 'I solemnly declare that I will respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, and that I will refrain from any action that could cause it harm.'
• In French (German Loyalty Oath in French - Traduction serment de citoyenneté allemande): "Je déclare solennellement que je respecterai la Loi fondamentale ainsi que les lois de la République fédérale d'Allemagne, et que je m'abstiendrai de tout acte susceptible de lui porter préjudice."
• In Spanish (German Citizenship Oath in Spanish - Juramento de nacionalidad alemana): "Declaro solemnemente que respetaré la Ley Fundamental y las leyes de la República Federal de Alemania, y que me abstendré de cualquier acción que pueda causarles daño."

2. Exemption from Taking the Oath: Minors Under 16 Years of Age

Minor children under the age of 16 are not legally required to take the official oath or recite the aforementioned "declaration of loyalty," in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Nationality Act.

These children acquire citizenship (typically alongside their parents) without the necessity of taking the oath or grasping its complex meanings. According to the German legislator's assessment, this exemption is due to their incomplete legal capacity to independently undertake such a profound political commitment.

Consequently, any individual who has attained the age of 16 remains strictly obligated to take the citizenship oath and fully understand its implications and meanings.

Finally, it is crucial to emphasize that a person is not considered a naturalized citizen prior to taking the German Loyalty oath, and the naturalization does not take legal effect until the individual has physically received the naturalization certificate issued by the competent citizenship authority.

+ Add these essential legal terms to your glossary:

• Loyalty Oath: (das feierliche Bekenntnis)
• German Citizenship: (die deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit)
• Naturalization Certificate: (die Einbürgerungsurkunde)
• Nationality Act: (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)

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Achraf Lamine Legal Researcher and Master of Laws (LL.M.) holder, specializing in the analysis of legislative texts and judicial precedents. I dedicate my expertise at "Arable Law Hub" to simplifying legal culture and making it accessible to everyone, driven by the conviction that legal awareness is the fundamental cornerstone of the rule of law.
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