After the introduction of the simplified naturalization law in Germany, the number of citizenship applications has significantly increased, leading to an overload of migration services.
Over the past six months, the number of applications has grown by tens of percent, and officials are struggling to process them. In Munich, for example, the processing time for applications has increased to 18 months. In Bavaria, more than 82,000 applications were submitted between the beginning of the year and the end of November, significantly surpassing pre-reform figures.
Similar issues are arising in other regions. In Hesse, the number of applications increased by 23.5%, while in Düsseldorf, it rose by 34.9%. In Cologne, 4,600 applications have been submitted, with about 13,000 still awaiting processing.
Achim Brötel, president of the Association of Districts, noted that the workload has even increased in rural areas, where the number of applications has doubled in some regions. Local authorities criticize the federal government for hastily implementing the reform. Brötel emphasizes that the changes were introduced at an inopportune time, given the current migration situation.”
