City Guides Naturalization
All information on the requirements for naturalization in the respective cities in Germany.
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The naturalization procedures vary considerably from city to city , although the requirements and legal framework are the same in every city (see the Nationality Act (StAG) ). The differences mainly relate to the different authorities responsible for naturalization (sometimes the immigration authorities, sometimes special naturalization authorities, sometimes district and registry offices), the different documents and forms, and the different application processes (e.g., whether an online tool is available or not). Processing times also vary from city to city. On this page you will find valuable information about naturalization in your city. For Berlin in particular, we also recommend our VISAGUARD blog post on the status of naturalizations in Berlin .
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Regional differences in naturalization
Although the naturalization requirements are fundamentally the same in every city, the practical administrative procedures vary depending on the authority. Each city and district may have its own administrative structure , which means that the responsible naturalization authorities vary regionally. There is no central immigration office, so applicants must find out for themselves which authority is responsible for their specific case.
Depending on the federal state, city, or district, responsibility for naturalization applications can lie with very different offices. In some regions, the Citizens' Registration Office assumes the duties of the naturalization authority; in others, city administrations, district administrations, or immigration authorities are responsible. Unfortunately, these authorities do not always have a functioning website or other public information about their jurisdiction for naturalization cases.
Naturalization procedure in Berlin
In Berlin, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) has been responsible for naturalizations since January 1, 2024. The State Office for Naturalization has published its corresponding administrative regulations publicly online ( Part S of the Procedural Guidelines for Residence in Berlin (VAB) ). Unfortunately, such public administrative resources do not exist in other cities, especially not at small naturalization offices in the districts. The VISAGUARD city guides on this page are intended to help you find out about the naturalization procedures applicable in your city.
Naturalization from abroad
Anyone applying for naturalization from abroad must pay particular attention to which authority in Germany is responsible. In such cases, jurisdiction often depends on the last place of residence or the intended place of residence in Germany. The procedure is then handled by the Federal Office of Administration (BVA), which, with the assistance of the respective embassies, either approves or rejects naturalization.
