Want to know how long naturalization actually takes in your German city? Not the official estimate from the authorities, but what really happens? We analyzed 67 real naturalization applications from across Germany – submitted by real people through Citizify. Some of the results are surprising.
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Key Numbers at a Glance
The average processing time across all approved applications is roughly 12 months. But the range is enormous: one applicant in Bonn received their naturalization certificate via the marriage route after just 130 days, while someone in Leipzig waited over 3.5 years.
Processing Times by City (Real Data)
The table below shows average processing times per city – based on approved applications in our database. Cities are sorted from fastest to slowest.
| City | State | Avg. Time | Range | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meerbusch | NRW | 3 months | 3 months | fast |
| Bonn | NRW | 4 months 10 days | 4 mo. 10 days | fast |
| Darmstadt | Hesse | ~4 months 20 days* | 4 mo. – 2 yrs | fast |
| Bremen | Bremen | ~7 months 10 days | 5 mo. – 11 mo. | fast |
| Gummersbach | NRW | 9 months | 9 months | moderate |
| Berlin | Berlin | ~9 mo. 20 days | 5 mo. – 1 yr 5 mo. | moderate |
| Düsseldorf | NRW | ~9 mo. 25 days | 7 mo. – 1 yr | moderate |
| Dortmund | NRW | ~10 mo. 10 days | 8 mo. – 1 yr 1 mo. | moderate |
| Stuttgart | BW | ~10 mo. 20 days | 9 mo. – 1 yr | moderate |
| Essen | NRW | ~11 mo. 20 days | 8 mo. – 1 yr 4 mo. | moderate |
| Cologne | NRW | ~1 year | 6 mo. – 1 yr 6 mo. | moderate |
| Aachen | NRW | ~1 yr 12 days | 10 mo. – 1 yr 2 mo. | moderate |
| Nuremberg | Bavaria | ~1 yr 1 month | 10 mo. – 1 yr 5 mo. | moderate |
| Kaiserslautern | RP | 1 yr 1 month | 1 yr 1 month | slow |
| Frankfurt | Hesse | ~1 yr 2 months | 10 mo. – 1 yr 6 mo. | slow |
| Hamburg | Hamburg | ~1 yr 3 months | 1 yr – 1 yr 8 mo. | slow |
| Hanover | Lower Saxony | 1 yr 3 months | 1 yr 3 months | slow |
| Munich | Bavaria | ~1 yr 5 months | 1 yr – 1 yr 9 mo. | slow |
| Konstanz | BW | 1 yr 5 months | 1 yr 5 months | slow |
| Göttingen | Lower Saxony | 1 yr 6 months | 1 yr 6 months | slow |
| Offenbach | Hesse | 1 yr 7 months | 1 yr 7 months | slow |
| Dresden | Saxony | ~1 yr 5 months | 1 yr – 2 yrs | slow |
| Leipzig | Saxony | ~3 yrs 6 months | 3 yrs 5 mo. – 3 yrs 7 mo. | slow |
⚠️ Note: Data is based on voluntary, anonymous user reports and publicly available sources. * Darmstadt shows extreme variation: one applicant received citizenship in 4 months (expedited through employer), another waited almost 2 years.
Processing Times by State
✅ Generally Faster
- • Baden-Württemberg: Stuttgart (avg. 319 days) – but Konstanz at 525 days
- • NRW (smaller cities): Meerbusch (91 days), Bonn (130 days), Gummersbach (274 days)
- • Berlin: Avg. 292 days – surprisingly faster than Munich
❌ Generally Slower
- • Bavaria (Munich): Avg. 502 days – longest waits in western Germany
- • Saxony (Leipzig): Avg. 1,270 days – by far the longest
- • Hesse: Highly variable (140–700 days) – inaction lawsuits often needed
- • Saarland: One application pending for over 730 days
Real Tips from Applicants
Every entry in our database has an optional tips field. Here are the most valuable insights – directly from people who went through the process:
"Be proactive in reaching out to your case workers. As soon as you have new documents, something changes, etc. they should know ASAP. Otherwise they will have to reach out to you and the whole process is going to take much longer."
"I had an accelerated application due to my job/work. So I got it in 4 months at RP Darmstadt."
"Hire a lawyer at the 12-15 month mark and start an inaction lawsuit (Untätigkeitsklage) around 17 months if there is no contact and no reply."
"I used a lawyer to expedite the process since Hesse is very slow. I sued them, and they started processing my case."
"The time between requesting an appointment and my appointment was 15 months, and then another 6 months for processing for a total of 21 months."
"Applied with lawyers and used Untätigkeitsklage. Both citizenship office and court were rather unresponsive. Submitted the original application on my own 8 months before applying with lawyers."
"It is not worth it to get a lawyer or use services like Migrando – just do it yourself."
"Asked my company's lawyer to send a letter and threaten a lawsuit after 19 months of waiting. Before submitting my application, the waiting time for an appointment was 1 year."
"Complete all documents exactly as required. Got through in 224 days."
"No reply until now (02/2026). Situation: Blue Card holder, engineer, completed studies in Germany, living in Germany for 10 years. Application submitted in July 2023."
📊 Key Patterns
- • The Untätigkeitsklage (inaction lawsuit) is mentioned by several applicants as an effective tool
- • Proactive contact with the authorities can speed things up
- • Whether a lawyer helps is debated – some say yes, others say no
- • Complete documents from the start is the most important factor
Naturalization Costs 2026
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (adult) | €255 | Per person, non-refundable |
| Application fee (child under 16) | €51 | Only when applying with parents |
| Citizenship test | €25 | BAMF exam fee |
| Language certificate (if needed) | €150–250 | Telc B1, Goethe B1 or equivalent |
| Translations / certifications | €50–500 | Depends on home country and documents |
| Lawyer (optional) | €500–3,000 | Only for complex cases or inaction lawsuits |
| Total (typical) | ~€480–1,030 | Without lawyer |
Marriage Route: Faster Path to Citizenship?
Our data includes 2 entries via the marriage route (§9 StAG). One applicant in Bonn was naturalized after just 130 days – significantly faster than the standard route average.
Marriage Route Requirements (§9 StAG)
- • 3 years of legal residence in Germany (instead of 5)
- • Married to a German citizen for at least 2 years
- • Your German spouse must have held German citizenship for at least 2 years
- • All other requirements still apply: B1 German, citizenship test, livelihood secured
Nationalities in Our Data
Applicants in our database come from a wide range of countries. The most represented nationalities:
Since June 2024, Germany generally allows dual citizenship. You typically no longer need to renounce your previous nationality. However, check the laws of your home country as well.
Interview / Personal Hearing
From our data: roughly 35% of applicants were invited to a personal interview. Whether an interview takes place depends on the local naturalization office and individual circumstances.
Good to know: In some cities (e.g. Darmstadt, Wiesbaden) interviews seem more common than in others (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg). During an interview, your German is typically tested and integration-related questions are asked.
Inaction Lawsuit (Untätigkeitsklage): When and How?
Several applicants in our database report that an Untätigkeitsklage (inaction lawsuit) sped up their process. This is a legal remedy when authorities fail to decide on an application within a reasonable timeframe.
When is an inaction lawsuit an option?
- • After 3 months without any response from the authority (per §75 VwGO)
- • When you receive no substantive answer despite follow-up inquiries
- • From our data: Applicants in Hesse and Bavaria report this most frequently
Important: An inaction lawsuit is a serious legal step. Seek advice before proceeding. We recommend first sending a written deadline to the authority.
Pending Applications: Where Are the Longest Waits?
Beyond approved cases, we also have 24 still-pending applications. Some have been waiting for over 2 years:
| City | Waiting So Far | Language Level |
|---|---|---|
| Saarbrücken | 731 days | C1 |
| Munich | 700 days | B1 |
| Munich | 670 days | B1 |
| Munich | 578 days | B1 |
| Lübeck | 548 days | C1 |
| Munich | 548 days | B1 |
| Ravensburg | 548 days | – |
Notably, Munich appears especially often among long-term pending cases. Four applicants there have been waiting for over 548 days.
Applicant Language Levels
The majority of applicants hold B1 level – the minimum for naturalization. Since the abolition of the fast-track (Turbo-Einbürgerung) in October 2025, a higher language level no longer provides an advantage in processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does German naturalization take in 2026?
On average about 12 months, based on user data and public reports. The range spans from about 130 days (Bonn, marriage route) to over 1,292 days (Leipzig). Duration depends heavily on your city and state.
Which city has the shortest processing time?
According to our data: Bonn (130 days, marriage route) and Darmstadt (140 days, expedited). Generally, smaller cities and NRW cities tend to be faster than major cities like Munich or Berlin. Bremen and Bonn also show shorter wait times.
Why does naturalization take so long in Munich?
Munich (Bavaria) averages 502 days, one of the longest in western Germany. Reasons include high application volumes and staff shortages. Several applicants report receiving no response even after 18 months.
Does an Untätigkeitsklage (inaction lawsuit) help?
Several applicants in our database report it accelerated their process – especially in Hesse and Bavaria. One applicant in Darmstadt reports that their company lawyer's threat of a lawsuit helped after 19 months of waiting. Get legal advice first.
Do I need a lawyer for naturalization?
Opinions are split. One applicant in Göttingen says: 'It is not worth it to get a lawyer or use services like Migrando – just do it yourself.' Others in Munich and Hesse report that a lawyer and inaction lawsuit were necessary. For normal cases: probably not needed. For 12+ months waiting: may be worth it.
How much does naturalization cost in total?
Typically €480–1,030 without a lawyer. The application fee is €255 per adult. Additional costs may include language certificate (€150–250), citizenship test (€25), and translations (€50–500).
Is the marriage route faster?
Our data suggests yes. One applicant in Bonn (marriage route) received citizenship after just 130 days. The marriage route requires only 3 instead of 5 years residence, provided you've been married to a German citizen for 2+ years and they've held German citizenship for 2+ years.
Can I apply during my probation period (Probezeit)?
It's not legally prohibited, but many offices view probation periods unfavorably when assessing financial stability. It's generally recommended to wait until probation ends – unless your spouse has stable income.
Is fast-track (Turbo-Einbürgerung) still available in 2026?
No. The fast-track via exceptional integration achievements (§10 para. 3 StAG old version) was abolished in the October 2025 reform. There is no longer a shortcut through special achievements. The standard route requires 5 years residence.
Does time on a student visa count toward citizenship?
Yes, time under residence permits §16a and §16b AufenthG counts toward the 5-year requirement. However, you cannot apply for citizenship while still holding these permits – you must first switch to a qualifying permit (e.g., work permit, permanent residence).
How many questions do I need to pass on the citizenship test?
At least 17 out of 33 questions must be answered correctly. The test covers German history, politics, society, and democratic principles. You can retake the test as many times as needed.
Can I keep my original citizenship (dual citizenship)?
Since June 27, 2024, Germany generally allows dual citizenship. You typically no longer need to renounce your previous nationality. However, check the laws of your home country, as some countries may still require renunciation.
What if my application is rejected?
You can file an objection (Widerspruch) within one month. If the objection is unsuccessful, you can take legal action at an administrative court. Consulting an immigration lawyer is recommended.
I submitted my application over a year ago and heard nothing. What should I do?
1. Send a written reminder to the authority with a deadline (4 weeks). 2. If no response: set a new deadline mentioning a possible inaction lawsuit. 3. If still no response: consider a lawyer or filing a direct lawsuit.
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⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
This article does not constitute legal advice. All data is based on voluntary, anonymous user reports and cannot be independently verified. Actual processing times may differ and depend on individual circumstances. For binding information, please contact your local naturalization office (Einbürgerungsbehörde) or a qualified immigration lawyer. We assume no liability for decisions made based on this information.
Data collection: All data is collected anonymously and voluntarily through the Citizify platform. No personal data is published.
Last updated: February 14, 2026.