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This photo shows a woman in an office with files in her hands. A symbolic image for the time it takes to apply for a German passport

Applying for a German passport: how long it really takes

Are you preparing your Naturalization and wondering how long it takes to apply for a German passport? The duration varies from case to case. We'll show you where the biggest hurdles lie and how you can save a lot of time! Here you can find out everything about the duration of the application, the express passport and important documents!
Written by:
Valentin Radonici
Journalist
Expertly reviewed by:
Christin Schneider
Expert for Immigration law

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The most important facts in brief

  • The duration of the application for Naturalization varies depending on the naturalization authority. It can take 6-15 months and up to over 50 months. 
  • The application for a German passport, if you have one, takes 7-8 weeks.
  • If you already have a German passport, you can obtain an Express Pass after 4-5 days.
  • Temporary passport: If the passport does not arrive on time, you have the option of applying for a temporary passport, which is issued immediately and can be issued for up to one year. 

Who can even get a German passport?

You can obtain a German passport if you fulfill the requirements for German citizenship according to § 10 StAG fulfill. A distinction is made here as to whether a German passport ...

  • ... after 5 years, 
  • quickly after 3 years (with C1 certificate and special integration performance), 
  • or as Naturalization by marriage to a German citizen.

The basic requirements for the German passport are as follows:

According to § 10 StAG live legally in Germany for at least 5 years with a Residence permit so that you can apply for a German passport. Further requirements include proof of language proficiency at B1 level, successful completion of the naturalization test, a signed declaration of loyalty, clarification of your identity and proof of means of subsistence.

How long does it take to apply for a German passport?

According to our experience, the application the process of applying for a German passport takes on average 18-24 months in Germany (in some cities like Leipzig even longer).

Various factors such as the application, your individual case or staffing problems at the naturalization authority will affect the waiting time for you. 

The following points also determine the duration of the application for a German passport: 

  • Your preparation time: collecting the documents, the correctness of your application, your cooperation. There is no clear time limit here - the earlier you have the requirements, the faster the application can be submitted.
  • Processing time: Due to various influences (staff shortage, refugee crisis, new naturalization law), the processing time is longer than it used to be. In some authorities such as Nuremberg, processing is faster, while others such as Frankfurt or Leipzig take longer.
  • Lawsuit for failure of act: The authority has 12 weeks to process your application. If you do not receive a response, you can submit an application to the administrative court at Lawsuit for failure of act . In the meantime, Lawsuit for failure of act has become the norm, as the authorities rarely process applications within the specified 3 months.
  • Difficult Clarification of identity: If you come from Afghanistan, Eritrea or Somalia, the application always takes longer because the Clarification of identity is more complicated.
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How long does it take to prepare for the German passport?

You must as a rule 5 years if you want to apply for naturalization. With the C1 certificate and special integration achievements, Naturalization can also be completed after 3 years.

In general, you need documents for Naturalization , which take time to obtain. Here are some examples:

  1. B1 certificate (approx. 5 weeks)
  2. Naturalization test (1-6 months)
  3. Document for Clarification of identity (up to 2 years depending on the case)
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How long does Naturalization take in Germany?

Want to know how long the Naturalization takes in Germany and what the duration depends on? We'll show you in this article!

How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

The rush to Naturalization as a result of the new Naturalization Act has meant that the waiting time for a waiting time for a deadline can go on for years. According to an article in the Tagesschau the average waiting time in NRW is sometimes one and a half years. The reason for this is the lack of staff in the authorities. In some authorities such as Freiburg it is possible to submit the application by post without an appointment.

How long does it take to process the German passport?

In our experience with naturalization authorities, the processing of the German passport with naturalization authorities. For the The following factors influence the processing time of the German passport:

  • Lack of staff at the naturalization authorities and excessive demands with too many applications (reasons, refugee crisis and new naturalization law).
  • Lack of training and preparation of employees in the authorities and the resulting errors.
  • Errors by applicants (applications not filled out correctly and completely)
  • Late feedback from the safety authorities.
In this chart you can see the duration of Naturalization at the various immigration authorities in Germany with a map of Germany and the respective cities
While Naturalization works quickly in Cottbus and Berlin, Leipzig takes the longest at over 50 months.

How long does it take to renew the German passport?

The application for a German passport, if you already have a naturalization certificate, takes 7-8 weeks. The German passport is then valid for 10 years if you are 24 years old. For people under the age of 24, the German passport is valid for 6 years. With the introduction of the new naturalization law dual citizenship is permitted. This means that you no longer have to give up the citizenship of your home country as in the past.

"Since the introduction of the new Naturalization Act, there has been a rush of applications to Naturalization . For this reason, it is important not to lose any time when applying and to submit the applications correctly and completely! With a fully substantiated application via Migrando , the process takes less time than the normal procedure."
press migrando christian
Christin Schneider
Expert in Immigration law

The Express Pass: How long does the application take?

The express procedure for the German passport is suitable for this, if you urgently need a passport and fast production is important. In this case, the express passport takes 4-5 days instead of 7-8 weeks as with the normal application. The express passport can only be applied for if you have German citizenship and a German passport.

When application from abroad, there are additional costs due to due to higher costs. You apply for the passport at a German embassy, consular mission or honorary consul.

In addition to the basic fee for the Express Pass in accordance with § 15 Passport Ordinance an additional fee of 32 € in addition to the basic fee. Persons aged 24 and over pay an additional fee for the Express Pass when applying from their main place of residence in Germany, according to the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior currently 102 €.

What to do if the passport doesn't arrive on time?

If your German passport with express application does not arrive on time, then according to according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior the surcharge of €32 will be refunded. Regardless of whether you have applied for an express procedure or not, there is the possibility of obtaining a temporary passport.

The temporary passport is issued immediately. It costs €26, does not have a chip and can be issued for up to 12 months. It will only be issued if you can prove that you have a good reason why you need an immediate travel document.

Get help with your application for a German passport now

Do you have questions about how long it takes to apply for a German passport? We will be happy to help you with your application for a German passport! Thanks to many years of experience in communicating with German naturalization authorities we know exactly how to get you to your destination, the German passport, as quickly as possible. Let's take the path to your German citizenship together!

Do you have any questions?
Do you want to become a German citizen and have unanswered questions about how long it takes to apply for a German passport? Take our free test. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the duration of the application for a German passport

You have to wait for a German passport usually 7-8 weeks for a German passport. In the express procedure, the German passport arrives in 4-5 days and if the German passport has to be issued immediately, then there is the temporary German passport, which you will receive immediately.

The German passport costs from the age of 24 € 70. If you apply for the Express Passport, you will have to pay an additional €32, bringing the total to €102. The provisional German passport costs a total of €26.

For persons over the age of 24, the German passport is valid for exactly 10 years validThis also applies to the express version. The temporary German passport, which is issued immediately, can be issued for up to one year. Passports for under 24-year-olds are valid for 6 years.

In our experience, the processing of Naturalization takes varies depending on the naturalization authority. There are authorities such as Cottbus, Berlin or Nuremberg where the process takes 6-15 months. Other authorities such as Frankfurt (27 months), Darmstadt (32 months) or Leipzig (over 50 months) take considerably longer.

To apply for a German passport, you must fulfill the requirements for German citizenship according to § 10 StAG and provide correct and complete documentation. It is possible to apply for a German passport after 5 years or faster after 3 years (with C1 certificate and special integration performance).

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