Berlin, the capital city of Germany, has significantly expedited the processing of German citizenship applications, achieving speeds up to three times faster than last year. This improvement is attributed to the digitalisation of the naturalisation procedure implemented at the start of the year.

Previously, applicants in Berlin faced long waiting periods. However, with the State Office for Immigration (LEA) adopting a digital application process earlier this year, responses are now being issued more quickly. According to I Am Expat Germany, from the beginning of the year until July 14, 2024, LEA naturalised 6,534 people in Berlin, with 5,900 of those cases processed since April 1, 2024.

These figures indicate that Berlin processed almost as many applications in the past three months as it did over nine months in 2023, suggesting a threefold increase in processing speed compared to last year.

If this pace continues, Berlin is projected to process up to 20,000 citizenship applications by the end of 2024. Between January 1 and mid-July, LEA received 24,000 naturalisation applications, processing an average of 139 applications daily in the second week of July.

Although the processing time has improved for all applicants in Berlin, those who submitted their applications before 2024 may experience longer wait times. These applicants might consider submitting a new digital application, which costs €255, to receive a quicker response.

Additionally, Germany's new citizenship law, which took effect on June 27, 2024, further facilitates obtaining German citizenship. The new law reduces the residency requirement from eight to five years and permits multiple citizenships, allowing applicants to retain their previous citizenship when becoming German citizens.