Foreign Nationals Facing Long Waits to Obtain German Citizenship
Key Takeaways
1. Delays in naturalisation applications remain prolonged.
2. Naturalisation applications in Germany have surged recently, both in urban and rural areas.
3. To address the delays, German authorities are considering measures like redeploying staff and hiring additional personnel.
Despite the introduction of the new Citizenship Law on June 27, 2024, delays in applying for and obtaining German citizenship persist.
A report by public broadcaster Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk indicates that, in areas like Leipzig, waiting times for naturalisation can extend up to 50 months or more than four years before applicants can even submit their applications.
The German Association of Towns and Municipalities, represented by Marc Elxnat, reported to MDR that the number of naturalisation applications in Germany has significantly increased in recent months, including in rural areas, not just cities.
Previously, an average district in Germany processed around 250 applications per year, but now, in some cases, this number has reached 1,000 applications annually.
Municipal Budget Constraints Contributing to Delays
Elxnat emphasized that while efforts are being made to reduce these extended waiting periods, which can last several years, the financial limitations of municipalities are hindering the hiring of additional staff.
“We are working to reduce delays by reallocating staff and bringing in new employees,” said Elxnat, “but of course, the municipal financial situation means we cannot hire an unlimited number of staff.”
Training for staff is also required, as the new regulations have made the application process more complex.
High Demand for German Citizenship
Interest in obtaining German citizenship remains strong. In 2023, over 200,000 foreigners received German nationality, marking the highest number since 2000. The majority of new citizens were from Syria, Iraq, Romania, and Afghanistan, with the high number of Syrians reflecting the influx of Syrian asylum seekers between 2014 and 2016.
Germany's government press release also noted that the new Nationality Law, introduced in June, aims to simplify the citizenship process. Among its provisions, the law allows individuals to retain their original nationality and reduces the residency requirement to five years.