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Status of naturalizations at the State Office for Immigration 2026


For decades, the path to German citizenship was considered a marathon of patience, marked by years of waiting and a fragmented bureaucratic landscape. But in 2026, the German capital presents a picture that seemed unimaginable just a short time ago. While the political debate surrounding the modernization of the Citizenship Act (StAG) was often riddled with ideological divides, the administration in Berlin has taken action . For highly qualified professionals, academics, and investors who have long since chosen Germany as their home, naturalization is no longer just a distant promise, but a tangible administrative process. The centralization of procedures at the State Office for Immigration (LEA) is beginning to bear fruit , even if the next statistical fluctuations are already visible on the horizon.


Berlin's numbers offensive: A breakthrough in the length of proceedings

We are currently observing a development that sends an important signal for Berlin in the global competition for talent. According to insider reports from the According to the State Office for Immigration , the agency is on the verge of processing all outstanding applications from Berlin's districts . This is a crucial milestone, as the transfer of responsibility from the district offices to a central agency was often met with skepticism. The forecasts for 2026 are impressive: We anticipate approximately 36,000 naturalizations by the end of the year. This figure demonstrates that scaling the processes is working. Particularly welcome news for our clients, many of whom are expats and young professionals, is the drastically reduced processing time. According to current statistics from allaboutberlin and our own experience, a naturalization process at the State Office for Immigration now takes approximately 36,000 years. LEA will only spend an average of about 7 to 9 months in 2026. For a metropolis of this size, this is a top value by international comparison, which massively increases the attractiveness of the location.


Legal stability despite high application numbers

Despite the high volume of applications, the quality of decisions remains stable. The rejection rate is consistently around 4% . This demonstrates to us as a law firm that the legal hurdles of Section 10 of the German Nationality Act (StAG) have by no means been weakened, but rather that applicants – especially the group of highly educated academics – are still being challenged. Skilled workers are exceptionally well-prepared. Those who meet the requirements regarding identity verification , proof of sufficient means of subsistence , and language skills can expect a highly predictable outcome. However, we continue to criticize the slow pace of digitalization at the interfaces with other authorities. While the LEA is efficient internally, but querying registers or confirming pension insurance records according to Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 No. 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG) could be further accelerated by comprehensive digital networking. While politicians like to boast about the "digitalization of migration administration," in daily practice we often still see a patchwork of isolated digital solutions.


The decline in application numbers as a respite before the storm

Interestingly, the number of new applications has currently reached a plateau; the figures have even declined slightly, albeit from a high level. However, we do not interpret this as a decrease in interest in German citizenship, but rather as a natural market correction after the initial surge in applications under the new citizenship law. For employers and HR departments, this presents a window of opportunity : now is the ideal time to actively support high-achieving foreign nationals in their naturalization process , as government resources can be optimally utilized. However, this respite will not last. We predict a massive increase in applications for the coming year. The reason for this lies in the group of Ukrainian refugees who came to Germany in 2022. Since naturalization is possible after just three years for particularly well-integrated individuals under certain conditions according to Section 10 Paragraph 3 of the Nationality Act, a new wave of applications will reach the State Office for Immigration in 2027.


Naturalization as a location advantage in times of skilled labor shortage

In public discourse, naturalization is often seen merely as the culmination of integration. We hold a different view: In times of acute skills shortages, swift naturalization is a powerful tool for international recruiting . If an engineer or IT specialist knows that they can obtain full legal status in Berlin within a few months, it significantly increases their chances of success. The fact that EU citizens can obtain citizenship is a decisive argument against locations like London or Paris . The possibility of dual citizenship, enshrined in the reform of the Nationality Act , has significantly lowered the barrier for wealthy foreigners and diplomats. It is no longer about relinquishing one's former identity, but about acquiring additional mobility and security. We expressly welcome the pragmatic stance of the Berlin government on this point, but call for a more permanent allocation of personnel resources within the [relevant authority/organization]. LEA , in order to be prepared for the coming "Ukraine wave".


Conclusion: Berlin sets standards with room for improvement

In summary, Berlin proved in 2026 that a modern migration administration can function effectively. A processing time of under nine months for 36,000 cases per year is a success. Centralizing the process at the State Office for Immigration was the right step to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles of the past. However, policymakers cannot rest on their laurels. Digitalization must be more comprehensive, and the administration must remain flexible enough to respond to fluctuating application numbers without processing times slipping back into double-digit monthly durations.


How Visaguard can support you

As a specialized law firm for We will guide you safely through the naturalization process with expertise in visa and citizenship law. We also review applications for academic applicants. Skilled workers and companies are advised in advance on their chances of success under the Nationality Act (StAG), the application documents are prepared in a legally compliant manner, and communication with the LEA (State Office for Migration and Refugees) is on equal footing. Whether it concerns the complex crediting of prior periods of residence or the Securing your livelihood with fluctuating income is possible – we ensure that your case is completed within the current best times.


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