A calculation is performed in order to analyze the charge-state dependence of the kinetic electron emission induced by slow ions in metals. All stages of the emission process are included: the excitation of the electrons, the neutralization of the projectile during its passage through the solid, and the transport of the excited electrons from where they are created to the surface. It is shown that the number of excited electrons depends strongly on the ion charge state. Nevertheless, due to the fast neutralization of the ions within the escape depth of the excited electrons, no significant initial charge-state dependence is expected in the kinetic electron yield. This result is consistent with available experimental data. J.I.J. and R.D.M. acknowledge partial support from the Basque Departamento de Educación, Universidades e Investigación, the University of Basque Country UPV/EHU (Grant No. 9/UPV 00206.215-13639/2001), and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (Grant Nos. BSM2001- 0076 and MAT2001-0946). R.D.M. acknowledges partial support by the Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia. Peer Reviewed