How long does German citizenship take? Processing times explained

There is no official nationwide processing time for German citizenship. Expect it to take many months, and often more than a year in big cities: Munich officially says “18 months and longer”, and a survey by Mediendienst Integration from June 2026 found that it takes over a year in almost all large cities – and over two years in half of them. How long your case takes depends mainly on your authority, and on how complete your application is.

What we know about processing times

On top of that there are large backlogs. In May 2026 the regional authority in Darmstadt (responsible for Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, among others) had around 66,000 open applications, Munich around 40,200 and Hamburg around 32,000. The full figures are published by Mediendienst Integration (in German).

Why it takes so long

• Record demand: 291,955 people were naturalised in 2024 and 333,343 in 2025 – the highest figure since records began in 2000. Since 27 June 2024 five years of residence are enough instead of eight, so more people qualify.
• Security checks: the authority queries the Federal Central Criminal Register and the security services.
• Authenticity checks: language certificates and documents are checked to make sure they're genuine.
• Personal interviews: following a Federal Interior Ministry circular of 18 August 2025, authorities should normally meet you in person.
• Missing documents: every request for something missing pushes your case back.
• Unclear identity: if the authority first has to establish who you are – because you have no valid passport, for example – it usually takes considerably longer.
• Ongoing investigations: if you're under criminal investigation, the authority puts its decision on hold until the case is closed.

The good news: the vast majority of cases end well. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 90% of the procedures completed in 2025 ended in naturalisation; only about 3% were refused.

The stages and what slows them down

The test has its own backlog: in late September 2026 the BAMF was marking tests taken in early July. Even so, the first stage is in your hands – the earlier you sit the exam and the test, the less those weeks matter. Everything after that is up to the authority – but a clean application makes its job easier.

How to shorten the wait

1. Get B1 and the citizenship test done first: test results currently take around 11–12 weeks. Book early – see how to register for the citizenship test and when your certificate arrives.
2. Submit everything at once: go through the documents checklist before you send your application.
3. Apply online where you can: you usually get a confirmation of receipt straight away, and nothing gets lost in the post.
4. Reply quickly: respond promptly when the authority asks for something.
5. Keep documents valid: applying doesn't extend your passport or residence permit.
6. Report changes straight away: a move, a new job, marriage or a new baby.
7. Follow up after a reasonable time: in writing, quoting your file number. Some authorities currently don't answer status enquiries because of the volume of applications: Berlin explicitly asks you not to send them, and Munich doesn't answer them while your case is being processed.

Faster processing is granted only in exceptional cases. Munich gives proven statelessness or an upcoming appointment as a civil servant (Beamter) as examples; an expiring passport or permit, planned travel or buying property generally don't count.

The former 3-year fast track is no longer an option since 30 October 2025 – see German citizenship after 3 years. Use the waiting time for the test wisely: a study plan takes you step by step through every question for your state.

Action for failure to act: when nothing happens

If the authority fails to decide within a reasonable period without sufficient reason, you can bring an action for failure to act (Untätigkeitsklage) at the administrative court. Under Section 75 of the Administrative Court Procedure Code (VwGO) you can do this no earlier than three months after applying. Those three months are only a minimum, though: whether the wait in your case is already unreasonably long is for the court to decide. If the authority has a sufficient reason for the delay, the court suspends the case and sets it a deadline. A lawsuit can also mean court fees and legal costs, so get advice before you do it.

From approval to certificate

Once everything has been checked, you still need an appointment to receive your naturalisation certificate – since 2024 this should happen at a public naturalisation ceremony. You become German only at that moment; until then your existing residence status applies. The whole process is laid out in how to apply for German citizenship, and what comes next is in naturalised – what now?