Introduction
Germany experienced a significant increase in naturalization, granting citizenship to a record 291,955 individuals in the previous year, which represents a 46% rise compared to the previous year. Notably, Syrians comprised the largest group among the new citizens.Context
According to data released by the Federal Statistics Office, this surge in citizenship was facilitated by reforms in the citizenship law. In June of last year, Germany reduced its residency requirement for naturalization from eight years to five years, and even to three years in certain cases.Many Syrians, who sought refuge during the 2015 and 2016 migration crisis when former Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Germany's borders to a wave of asylum seekers, became eligible for naturalization in 2024.
Developments
As a result, Syrians accounted for 28% of all naturalizations, equating to 83,150 individuals, reflecting a 10.1% increase from the previous year. They were followed by Turks, Iraqis, Russians, and Afghans, making up 8%, 5%, 4%, and 3% of the total, respectively.Russian nationals noted the most substantial percentage growth in naturalizations, with the number climbing to 12,980 in 2024 from 1,995 the year before. The number of Turks obtaining German citizenship also saw a significant increase, more than doubling to 22,525.
Another important aspect of the new citizenship law is that it permits individuals to retain their original citizenship while acquiring German nationality. This provision has enabled tens of thousands of Turkish citizens—many of whom or whose ancestors migrated to Germany as guest workers during the 1960s and 1970s—to pursue naturalization.