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Berlin rejected almost one in every 20 citizenship applications in 2025, as the city’s immigration authorities combine faster digital processing with significantly tougher checks aimed at combating fraud.
According to figures released by the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), 4.9 percent of all naturalisation applications reviewed last year were refused. At the same time, the authority approved a record 39,034 naturalisations, the highest number Berlin has ever recorded in a single year.
Digitalisation Clears Backlog — and Raises the Bar
The figures reflect a major transformation in how Berlin handles citizenship applications. Until recently, responsibility for naturalisation was spread across the city’s district offices, leading to long waiting times and a massive backlog.
In 2024, Berlin centralised the process under the LEA and introduced a fully digital system. Officials say the reform has dramatically reduced processing times and made procedures more transparent. But it has also introduced automated cross-checks, digital identity verification and stricter document controls, which are now flagging inconsistencies that previously went unnoticed.
As a result, applications are increasingly rejected for reasons such as incomplete information, contradictory statements or doubts about the authenticity of submitted documents.
Fraud Scandals Drive Tighter Controls
The tougher approach follows a series of investigations across Germany in 2025 that exposed organised fraud networks selling fake B1 German language certificates and “Living in Germany” integration test results.
Investigators uncovered cases in which paid stand-ins took exams on behalf of applicants, while forged certificates were advertised openly on platforms such as TikTok and Telegram — sometimes costing up to €1,500. These revelations caused political uproar and prompted calls, particularly from conservative politicians, for a pause on naturalisations where doubts exist.
Berlin’s authorities say the new digital system is a direct response to these developments, helping to identify irregularities that paper-based procedures failed to detect.
Severe Consequences for Deception
The shift is not only administrative but also legal. Under amendments to Germany’s nationality law adopted in late 2025, deliberate deception during the citizenship process now carries far-reaching consequences.
Applicants found to have knowingly submitted forged documents or false information can face a mandatory ban of up to ten years before they are allowed to reapply for German citizenship. This applies whether fraud is uncovered during the review or after citizenship has already been granted. In serious cases, authorities may also initiate criminal proceedings or revoke residence permits.
Legal experts warn that while the rules are aimed at deterring fraud, even genuine applicants can be affected if they rely on certificates from unrecognised language schools or dubious intermediaries.
What Applicants Should Know
For aspiring German citizens, the message is clear: accuracy and transparency are now more important than ever.
Experts advise applicants to:
- use only recognised language test providers such as Goethe-Institut, telc or BAMF-approved centres;
- avoid online offers promising “fast-track” or guaranteed certificates;
- consult qualified legal advisors if they are uncertain about document authenticity.
While Berlin’s digital reforms have made citizenship decisions faster and more efficient, the 2025 figures show that the path to a German passport has also become more demanding — with little tolerance for errors or shortcuts.
Vivian Asamoah
