Berlin has launched a new online citizenship application form through which foreigners in the city will be able to learn more about their eligibility and apply for German citizenship.
As the authorities have revealed, since January 1, 2024, the State Immigration Office, LEA, is responsible for providing an assessment on citizenship eligibility and accepting applications instead of the districts.
Berliners who currently do not hold a German passport can now visit their local LEA’s website to fill out a form, which, upon completion, will provide them with a personalised statement regarding their eligibility to apply for citizenship.
According to I Am Expat Germany, the newly launched online form assesses applicants’ eligibility based on the current rules that apply for citizenship.
Under the current rules, all applicants must prove that they have been residing legally in Germany for at least six years. Citizenship applicants must also prove that they have knowledge of the German language at the B1 level and that they have not claimed unemployment benefits.
As soon as the online form determines that all the criteria have been met, applicants can start filling out the paperwork as well as submit the required document through the website.
The application fee through the new online form is €225 per person, and everyone will be required to make the payment once the other procedures have been completed.
Commenting on the matter, Berlin’s Interior Senator, Iris Spranger, said that taking into account the backlog of citizenship applications, the goal is to increase the naturalisation rate in the capital.
Our goal is to noticeably increase the naturalisation rate in Berlin. Recently, procedures in the districts have continued to pile up and the waiting times were clearly too long. This has put many people off. Centralisation will give naturalisation a new significance in our city.
According to the official website of Berlin, Berlin.de, after taking responsibility for the procedures, LEA will have to process more than 34,000 pending cases, the majority of which are applications for naturalisation.
The same noted that naturalisation is key to social inclusion and participation. Data show that a total of 8,875 foreigners were granted German citizenship in Berlin in 2022. As for 2023, data figures reveal that 8,640 people were naturalised in Berlin by November 30.
Only with naturalisation is comprehensive social participation and involvement possible, for example, by participating in elections.
All Berliners who are eligible to apply for citizenship have been encouraged to do so, with the authorities saying that this step will be important for the two parties.
