German citizenship lawyer
We advise and represent clients throughout Germany in citizenship procedures, delayed processing, refusals and special nationality-law cases.
We review residence periods, livelihood, language skills, citizenship test, identity, employment, self-employment and specific risks.
Citizenship in Berlin: responsibility of the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)
Since 1 January 2024, all citizenship applications in Berlin are handled centrally by the Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin (LEA), Department of Citizenship, rather than the district citizens' office. This centralisation was intended to speed up procedures, but the surge in new applications following the reform of the German Nationality Act (StAG) initially led to a significant backlog. If you already filed an application with your district office before the change, you do not need to file again — it is automatically continued by the LEA.
In practice this means: applications are filed exclusively online through the LEA portal, communication runs through the portal inbox, and the authority is in practice very difficult to reach by phone. This is exactly where we step in — we handle communication with the LEA, monitor the status of your case and, if necessary, involve the administrative court.
Requirements for citizenship under § 10 StAG
The 2024 reform of the Nationality Act noticeably eased the key requirements for German citizenship:
Further requirements include independently securing your livelihood without relying on basic state benefits, passing the citizenship test, clarifying your identity, and a declaration of commitment to the free democratic order. For self-employed applicants, the LEA often requests additional evidence of economic viability — we help prepare these documents.
How the citizenship procedure works at the LEA
The application itself is filed entirely online — no in-person appointment is required to submit it. After filing, the LEA first checks the application for completeness and requests any missing documents. In parallel, security checks are carried out, which can take additional time, particularly where applicants have spent longer periods abroad. Only once the review is positive will you be invited to a personal appointment — and this appointment is for collecting the citizenship certificate, not for submitting the application. Given the high number of pending cases, even scheduling this appointment can take considerable time.
If the LEA does not decide: action for failure to act
By law, the authority generally has three months to process an application (§ 75 VwGO). If this period is significantly exceeded without a comprehensible, case-specific reason, an action for failure to act before the Berlin Administrative Court can get the case moving. In practice, filing the action alone often prompts the LEA to conclude the case promptly. We assess whether such an action makes sense in your case and what cost risk it carries.
Frequently asked questions about citizenship in Berlin
How long does citizenship processing take at the LEA Berlin currently?
Processing times vary considerably depending on workload, completeness of documents and the outcome of security checks, and cannot be predicted in general. In our practice we see both quickly concluded and multi-year cases. Once the statutory three-month period under § 75 VwGO has passed, it is often worth having a lawyer assess whether an action for failure to act is advisable.
Can I keep my current citizenship?
Since the StAG reform of June 2024, multiple citizenship is generally permitted when naturalising in Germany. Giving up your previous citizenship is, as a rule, no longer required — regardless of country of origin.
Do I need to appear in person at the LEA?
No, the application itself is filed entirely online through the LEA portal — no personal appearance is required for this. You only need to appear in person at the end of the procedure, when invited to collect your citizenship certificate.
What does a citizenship procedure cost?
The official fee is €255 per adult and €51 for children naturalised together with a parent. Additional costs may arise for translations, language certificates or legal representation, which we explain transparently before taking on your case.
Legal basis: §§ 8–13 German Nationality Act (StAG), § 75 Code of Administrative Court Procedure (VwGO). All information is provided without guarantee and does not replace individual legal advice — the legal situation and administrative processing times can change at short notice.