Saarland has the highest rejection rate for naturalization applications.

Those applying for naturalization in Hamburg hardly need to worry about rejection: only 0.2 percent of applications there were unsuccessful in 2025. At the other end of the country, on the border with France and Luxembourg, the situation is quite different. In Saarland, 11.2 percent of naturalization applications were rejected – more than in any other German state. This is according to naturalization statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, which were analyzed by the Media Service Integration . Nationwide, the rejection rate was around three percent. Added to this are waiting times of twelve to sixteen months and a process that, with a personal interview before the actual examination, is still considerably more analog than in other states. What are the reasons behind this, and how are applicants preparing? Professionals , researchers and their What is the best way to prepare families in Saarland?

How differently do the German federal states decide on naturalizations?

The Nationality Act (StAG) is federal law and applies in Saarbrücken just as it does in Hamburg or Berlin. The requirements for naturalization by entitlement under Section 10 of the StAG are the same everywhere: generally five years of lawful habitual residence, a suitable residence permit, independent means of subsistence, no criminal record, German language skills at level B1, passing the naturalization test, and a commitment to the free democratic basic order. However, the law is implemented by the individual states. And this is precisely where the differences arise. A rejection rate of 11.2 percent compared to 0.2 percent cannot be explained by different applicants, but primarily by differing administrative practices. What documents are required, how strictly discretionary powers are interpreted, and whether the authorities inquire about gaps in the application or reject it immediately, varies considerably from state to state.

Nationwide, around 467,400 naturalization applications were submitted in 2025, and 371,100 procedures were completed. In 90 percent of the cases, German citizenship was granted. Citizenship was granted, but approximately five percent of applications were withdrawn. These withdrawals are particularly revealing: applicants often withdraw their applications after being advised by the authorities to avoid a formal rejection. Where authorities offer this option less frequently, the rejection rate increases.

Why does naturalization take so long in Saarland?

The Saarland has a two-stage naturalization process. Applications are accepted by the naturalization authorities of the districts, the Saarbrücken Regional Association, the medium-sized cities, and the state capital. There, the file is compiled in its entirety. However, the actual decision is made by the Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sport, which also issues the naturalization certificate. Each file therefore passes through two authorities, and processing times occur at each point of contact.

Since the reform of the citizenship law on June 27, 2024, the number of applications has risen sharply because the minimum residency period was reduced from eight to five years and dual citizenship was generally permitted. As early as summer 2025, according to the Saarland Green Party, the waiting time in Saarland was twelve to sixteen months. The state capital, Saarbrücken, openly informs applicants that it can take "at least a year" for the first appointment. The regional association itself describes it as a "lengthy and labor-intensive process." In practice, it often takes considerably more than a year and a half before the certificate is issued.

What is the purpose of the personal interview before naturalization?

While Berlin and Hamburg have largely digitized their procedures, Saarland continues to rely on a personal interview before the file is forwarded to the ministry. After the online application, there is a long waiting period, after which all applicants – including those from Saarland – are not contacted. spouses and Children aged 16 and over, who must submit their own application, are invited to an appointment. There, original documents are reviewed, the information in the application is discussed, and its completeness is checked.

Legally, this is based on the duty to cooperate pursuant to Section 37 Paragraph 1 of the Nationality Act (StAG) in conjunction with Section 82 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). This preliminary interview is not a mere formality, but rather an initial substantive review. In our consulting practice, we repeatedly observe that discrepancies are identified here that would have been overlooked or easily rectified in a purely written procedure: a gap between two residence permits, a missing proof of income from [unclear - possibly "retirement" or "residence"]. Self-employment , undisclosed investigations abroad, or uncertainties regarding commitment to the free democratic basic order according to Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 No. 1 of the Nationality Act. Anyone who arrives at this appointment unprepared forfeits the opportunity to clarify problems themselves before the ministry evaluates the file.

Which mistakes most frequently lead to rejection in Saarland?

Official statistics do not specify reasons for rejection. However, our experience with hundreds of naturalization applications reveals typical patterns. The most common reason is... Secured livelihood according to § 10 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG). Since 2024, the receipt of citizen's income or social assistance excludes the Naturalization is generally denied – even if supplementary benefits were only received for a short period. In a region where the automotive and supplier industries have been struggling with job cuts and short-time work for years, this also affects highly qualified individuals. skilled workers .

A second focus is on offenses under Section 12a of the Nationality Act (StAG). Minor convictions are disregarded, but foreign convictions must be declared in accordance with Section 12a Paragraph 4 of the Nationality Act. For applicants from the USA , In Great Britain and Canada, older traffic offenses such as DUIs are common. If they are concealed and later discovered, there is a risk not only of rejection but also of the driving licence being revoked. Naturalization according to § 35 StAG.

Thirdly, applications fail due to formal residency issues. Anyone who has worked or temporarily resided in France or Luxembourg near the border must clearly demonstrate the continuity of their habitual residence in Germany. While stays abroad of up to six months are permissible under Section 12b Paragraph 1 of the German Nationality Act (StAG), longer interruptions are not automatically accepted.

For whom is this topic particularly relevant in Saarland?

Saarland is far more than just an industrial location. With Saarland University, the CISPA Helmholtz Centre for Information Security, the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence and several Max Planck Institutes, Saarbrücken attracts international researchers and IT specialists are being recruited, many of them from English-speaking countries. Since the double Citizenship is allowed, Americans and Britons more frequently apply for German after five years of residence Passport , approximately the full Freedom of movement in the to secure the EU . A swift and secure procedure is particularly important for this target group because of career decisions and relocations within the EU. Europe or the planning for the Family is attached to it.

What can applicants do to combat long waiting times and rejections?

The obvious alternatives – waiting, submitting the application independently using an online checklist, or improvising when questions arise – are particularly risky in Saarland. An incorrect application won't speed things up; instead, after more than a year of waiting, it will end up back in the pile with additional requests. The best strategy is to submit an application that is complete and free of contradictions from the very first appointment. We prepare our clients specifically for their personal interview, reviewing their registration history, tax assessments, residence permits, and registry information in advance, and clarifying critical points before the authorities even find them.

If an authority remains inactive for more than three months without sufficient reason, an action for failure to act can be filed with the Administrative Court of Saarland in Saarlouis pursuant to Section 75 of the Administrative Court Procedure Act (VwGO). This is not an affront to the authority, but often the only way to get a stalled file moving again. If a rejection is imminent, much can still be averted by submitting a timely statement in the hearing procedure pursuant to Section 28 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG). In Saarland, an action can be brought against a rejection notice. Court open.

Conclusion

The Saarland is involved in the topic Naturalization in Germany lags behind in two respects: with an 11.2 percent rejection rate, it has the highest in Germany, and with waiting times of well over a year and a two-stage process involving a personal interview, it is among the slowest. For applicants, this means that thoroughness before submitting the application is more crucial than elsewhere. Those who prepare their documents meticulously and are well-prepared for the interview significantly improve their chances. We will guide you from your initial application to receiving your naturalization certificate – and, if necessary, enforce your claim through legal action.

Here is the link to the Saarland statistics: https://mediendienst-integration.de/?id=35&utm