Government's defense of naturalization procedural methods - Member State nationals are consistently subject to the principle of equal treatment, according to repeated Court of Justice rulings.
Berlin's State Office for Immigration (LAE) has revolutionised the naturalization process, digitising it from the beginning of 2024. This move has not only increased convenience for applicants but also enhanced security measures, as revealed in response to a dpa query.
One of the key benefits of the new system is the fully online process. Immigrants in Berlin can now complete the entire naturalization process from the comfort of their homes, without needing to visit government offices. This not only maximises convenience but also increases accessibility for applicants.
Berlin has also eliminated some traditional requirements such as proof of language proficiency and pre-naturalization identity verification interviews. Applicants typically only meet authorities after receiving their naturalization certificate, speeding up the procedure.
The digitised process encourages applicants to apply online, which may lead to more rapid processing compared to older, paper-based submissions. As a result, Berlin saw 20,060 migrants naturalised from January to June 2025—more than double the total for all of 2023.
Security and efficiency measures have been integrated into the new system. Post-certification identity verification is still carried out, helping maintain integrity in the process. The digitised process removes the need for in-person screening before granting citizenship, relying instead on digital data management and verification measures to ensure security and reduce administrative burden.
The exchanged information in the digitised naturalization process is tamper-proof, reliable, and retrievable at any time. Ongoing criminal investigations and final convictions can be found in the alien's file. Necessary inquiries to security authorities and the Federal Central Register can be made digitally, ensuring a high level of tamper-proofing and quick access to reliable information.
Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner and Interior Senator Iris Spranger have expressed a common interest in ensuring the digitised naturalization process works well and that legal requirements are carefully examined. The Berlin Interior Administration has defended the digitised process, stating it offers a clear increase in security.
However, this modernisation effort has been met with criticism from other German states that maintain stricter in-person procedural requirements. Nonetheless, Berlin's digitised system represents a significant step forward, prioritising efficiency and applicant convenience while integrating post-naturalisation controls to safeguard security.
- In light of Berlin's digitised naturalization process, policy-and-legislation regarding community policy and employment policy should potentially be revised to accommodate innovative technological solutions, as demonstrated in the city's implementation.
- As politics continues to evolve, it's crucial to stay informed about general news such as the digitisation of policy-and-legislation areas like employment policy, which not only impacts policy on the local level but could also set a precedent for other regions to follow.
