Citizenship Demand Soars in Germany

Germany has seen a substantial rise in the number of people gaining German citizenship over the past two years, with a notable increase of more than 100,000 naturalisations from previous years.

According to a recent survey by Welt am Sonntag, which gathered data from 25 German cities, 2023 marked the highest annual number of new German citizens in over two decades, with 200,100 individuals obtaining citizenship. This is a significant jump from 2022, when 81,007 people were granted German nationality.

The majority of new German citizens come from Syria, Türkiye, and Iraq, followed by Romania and Afghanistan. Over half of the newly naturalised citizens in 2023 originated from these five countries, reflecting Germany's commitment to providing opportunities for integration to those fleeing conflict or seeking new prospects in Europe’s largest economy.

New Citizenship Rules Drive Increase in Applications

The surge in naturalisations has been linked to recent changes in German citizenship laws. In June 2024, Germany introduced key reforms allowing dual citizenship and reducing the residency requirement from eight years to five. These updates have made Germany a more attractive option for foreigners wishing to naturalise, as they can now become German citizens without giving up their original citizenship.

Germany's policy changes align with its broader objectives to address labour shortages and attract skilled workers from abroad. The German government hopes to meet its economic needs by simplifying the path to citizenship, especially for qualified professionals.

Germany’s passport ranks as the 2nd most powerful globally, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 countries according to Henley Passport Index.

According to government data, around 27.5% of Germany's population has a migrant background, the highest proportion among European Union member states. This reflects Germany’s historic openness to immigration and its status as a primary destination for migrants in the EU. Germany’s progressive citizenship policies and migrant-friendly stance underscore its ongoing commitment to multicultural integration.

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