Naturalization in Cologne: When the application disappears into thin air

An application for naturalization, submitted via the official contact form and additionally via the special electronic mailbox for lawyers – and then: nothing. No confirmation of receipt, no file number, no message. The authority's website states a waiting period of approximately twelve months until the first appointment, but no one can say whether the application has even reached the responsible office. Numerous families who have applied for German citizenship in Cologne are currently experiencing precisely this. From ongoing discussions with colleagues from the nationwide specialist lawyers for immigration law, as well as from our own cases, we know that Cologne is not an isolated case, but a particularly striking example of how much naturalization in Germany is currently groaning under the weight of its own reform.

Why does the naturalization process currently take so long in Cologne?

Since the reform of the Nationality Act on June 27, 2024, the number of naturalization applications has risen sharply nationwide – Cologne is no exception. According to consistent reports, processing times in Cologne currently range from twelve to eighteen months until an appointment, and this trend is increasing. The main reasons for this are the massive backlog of applications since the reform and a structural staff shortage at the responsible authority. For those affected, this means that anyone applying today has to wait over a year before even getting a personal appointment – and even then, the actual decision on naturalization is often months away. This is particularly difficult for families who are seeking naturalization together and whose plans – such as traveling with their new German passport or changing jobs – depend on the decision.

Has the application even been received – and what if no one responds?

Anyone who hasn't received confirmation of receipt or a file number after months faces a double problem: Without a file number, it's virtually impossible to follow up with the authorities, and the telephone hotline, which is only available for a few hours a day, is often overloaded in practice . However, our experience shows that in Cologne, as in other major cities, there are regularly functioning, but not publicly advertised, channels of communication to the responsible case workers – knowledge gained only through the ongoing processing of numerous similar cases. This is precisely the crucial difference between submitting an application independently and undergoing naturalization with legal representation: Those unfamiliar with the internal processes of the authorities waste valuable months simply making inquiries that go nowhere.

What legal options exist in the case of an unreasonably long processing time?

Simply waiting is rarely the wisest strategy, especially when family, employers, or upcoming travel plans depend on the decision. If an authority fails to process a complete application without sufficient reason for an unreasonably long period, an action for failure to act pursuant to Section 75 of the Code of Administrative Court Procedure (VwGO) can be filed with the competent administrative court after a period of usually three months. In particularly urgent cases, preliminary legal protection can also be sought pursuant to Section 123 VwGO. Those who submit the application on their own or rely on general online advice often do not know the exact deadline after which an action for failure to act is likely to succeed, nor the arguments authorities use to justify delays in court. Premature legal proceedings can be just as detrimental as waiting too long.

Who is particularly affected by the delays in Cologne?

Particularly affected are highly qualified professionals from the USA, Great Britain, and Canada who, after years in Germany, see naturalization as the logical next step – often in conjunction with an EU Blue Card or another residence permit for employment. Human resources departments of international companies based in Cologne, which want to offer their employees planning security regarding naturalization, as well as families jointly seeking German passports, are also feeling the effects of the delays directly.

Conclusion

Naturalization in Cologne is currently taking significantly longer than the authorities themselves indicate, and the lack of communication makes the waiting time even more burdensome for those affected. Anyone submitting an application today should actively monitor the status of their application and seek legal advice early on to determine whether and when an inquiry or an action for failure to act is advisable. We support skilled workers, families, and employers throughout the entire naturalization process – from the initial application to court proceedings, if necessary.