Fastest German Citizenship Processing: Top Cities & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Summary

In this video, the host discusses the fastest cities in Germany to acquire citizenship, sharing processing times for different cities based on experiences from Reddit and Facebook groups. Cities like Munich, Berlin, and smaller towns like a Shaunb and Folk Landan have quicker processes. The video also covers common mistakes in the citizenship application process, such as waiting until the last minute or failing to apply together with a spouse. Lastly, the host offers strategies for speeding up the process and encourages viewers to stay organized and proactive in their applications.

Takeaways

• 😀 Germany allows multiple citizenships, and naturalization can be completed in 5 years of legal residence or 3 years if you're highly integrated (e.g., C1 level language proficiency).
• 😀 Children born to foreign parents in Germany can acquire citizenship if one parent has lived there legally for over 5 years.
• 😀 Frankfurt and Dusseldorf have the longest processing times, with applications taking 22-24 months on average.
• 😀 Hamburg, H, and Cologne have medium processing times ranging from 14-18 months for citizenship applications.
• 😀 Most cities in Germany take about 12 months for citizenship processing (e.g., Mannheim, Coblenz, Dresden).
• 😀 Nurnberg, Regensburg, and Neuburg are currently the fastest cities for processing citizenship, taking around 6 months.
• 😀 Munich and Berlin have sped up the process to 3-6 months due to the introduction of online applications.
• 😀 Some applications have been processed in as little as 2 months in certain cities due to faster procedures.
• 😀 Common mistake #1: Don’t wait for every document—start your application early and submit missing documents later.
• 😀 Common mistake #2: Start your citizenship application at least 6 months before becoming eligible to avoid delays.
• 😀 Common mistake #3: If your spouse is nearing eligibility, consider applying together for a faster and more streamlined process.
• 😀 Small towns like Schaunb (Bayern) and Folk Landan (Saxon) offer faster citizenship processing, around 3 months, due to fewer applications.
• 😀 One strategy for speeding up the process is to register your main residence in a small town where the process might be faster, but research carefully before proceeding.

Q & A

What is the current German nationality law regarding citizenship?

Under current German nationality law, it is possible to hold multiple citizenships. To naturalize, one needs five years of legal residence in Germany, or just three years if highly integrated, such as having completed a C1 language level or something equivalent.

Can children born in Germany to foreign parents receive German citizenship?

Yes, children born in Germany to foreign parents can receive German citizenship if at least one parent has lived in Germany legally for more than five years.

Which cities in Germany have the fastest citizenship processing times?

Cities like Nürnberg, Regensburg, and Neubrandenberg are the fastest, with processing times around six months. Other cities like Munich and Berlin have also sped up the process using online applications, reducing the time to 3-6 months.

What is the processing time for citizenship applications in Frankfurt and Stuttgart?

In Frankfurt and Stuttgart, the processing time can take up to 22-24 months, depending on the case.

What common mistakes should people avoid when applying for German citizenship?

Some key mistakes to avoid include waiting until all documents are ready before applying, not starting the application process at least 6 months before eligibility, applying separately from your spouse when it's more efficient to apply together, and delaying the process which could lead to missed opportunities.

Why should you start your citizenship application process early?

Starting the process early, at least 6 months before you're eligible, ensures that you have enough time to gather all documents and avoid delays, making the application smoother and faster.

What are the benefits of applying for German citizenship together with a spouse?

Applying together with a spouse can simplify the process by reducing the number of documents and procedures needed, making it faster and more efficient than applying separately.

What happens if you miss your eligibility window for German citizenship?

If you miss your eligibility window, you may need to start the application process from scratch, potentially requiring a visa to return to Germany, which could delay your plans.

How can relocating to a smaller town in Germany speed up the citizenship process?

Relocating to smaller towns like Ashaunb or Volk Landen can speed up the citizenship process because these towns handle fewer applications, often resulting in faster processing times of around three months.

Is it possible to have multiple residences in Germany during the citizenship process?

Yes, you can have multiple residences in Germany. However, your main residence must be where most of your legal matters, including your citizenship application, are handled.