A total of 291,955 people obtained German citizenship in 2024. That is 46 per cent higher than the number of individuals who became German citizens in 2023, indicating that the interest in obtaining a German passport is on the rise.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the number of new German citizens in 2024 was 91,860 higher than in the previous year and represents a new record high since 2000, Schengen.News reports.
The number of naturalisations rose by 91,860, or almost half (+46 per cent), compared to the previous year, reaching a new record high: never before since statistics were introduced in 2000 have there been more naturalisations.
Nationals of These 5 Countries Applied the Most for German Citizenship
As the data reveal, many of the foreigners who became German citizens in 2024, previously or continue holding Syrian citizenship, 83,150 or 28 per cent of the total population.
Of the five most common nationalities among all naturalizations, Syrians had the highest naturalization rate in 2024: nine per cent of Syrian nationals living in Germany at the beginning of the year acquired German citizenship during the course of the year.
While Syrians represented 28 per cent of the applicants for German citizenship, other nationalities to obtain citizenship the most include those with former Turkish citizenship (22,525 or eight per cent), Iraqi (13,545 or five per cent), Russian (12,980 or four per cent), and Afghan (10,085 or three per cent).
What stands out is the increase in the number of Russian applicants, which was up by 551 per cent compared to 2023 numbers, when 1,995 people with former Russian citizenship obtained German passports. In 2024, the number of Russian nationals gaining German citizenship rose to 12,980, which is more than six times higher than in the previous year.
The number of dual or former Turkish citizens being granted German citizenship also rose by 110 per cent, which translates to 11,790 more people from this group becoming German citizens during this period. Moreover, the number of naturalizations of Syrian citizens increased by ten per cent or 7,665 new German citizens compared to the previous year.
Increases in Naturalisations Related to Special Integration Achievements
Several measures have been implemented by the German government in recent years, which have prompted more people to obtain German citizenship.
About 86 per cent of all naturalisations in 2024 were co-naturalisations of spouses and children. Seven per cent happened after special integration efforts, such as having a shorter period of residence.
In addition, the average length of stay in Germany at the time of naturalization in 2024 was 11.8 years, slightly higher than the previous year’s figure of 10.9 years. For Syrian nationals, the average length of stay was 7.4 years, up from 6.8 years recorded in 2023. The data revealed that over one-third (22 per cent or 4,130) of stateless persons obtained German citizenship in 2024.
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