Number of naturalizations in Berlin increases significantly - Berlin’s citizenship surge quadruples as policy reforms reshape immigration landscape
Berlin witnessed a significant increase in naturalisations last year, with nearly four times as many people gaining German citizenship compared to 2023. The city’s immigration office processed 37,877 applications in 2025, up from just 9,000 two years earlier. Officials attribute the surge to major policy changes and a shift in how applications are handled.
The jump in citizenship approvals followed a 2024 reform that moved processing from local district offices to the State Office for Immigration (LEA). This centralisation coincided with a national peak of around 300,000 naturalisations in 2024, though policies like the end of so-called 'turbo naturalisation' later slowed the pace.
By late 2025, the LEA had 75,000 new applications and another 40,000 pending cases. Engelhard Mazanke, the agency’s director, initially expected 40,000 approvals for the year. However, he now forecasts a slightly lower figure—between 39,000 and 39,500—citing stabilisation after the earlier surge.
No official projection exists for Berlin’s 2025 naturalisation total, but the LEA’s workload suggests demand remains high. The 2025 total of 37,877 already marks a significant increase from previous years, reflecting both policy shifts and sustained interest in citizenship.
The reforms and centralised processing have reshaped Berlin’s naturalisation landscape. While growth has slowed from the 2024 peak, last year’s figures still far exceed pre-reform levels. The LEA continues to manage a heavy caseload, with tens of thousands of applications still under review.
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