In 2024 German citizenship received 291,955 foreigners – more than always before. Compared to 2023, this figure increased by 91,860, as stated on Tuesday (10.06.25) by the national Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. This corresponds to a 46 percent increase.
There was reform, there are effects
One reason for specified a advanced number of naturalisations is last year's improvement of citizenship law. German citizenship can now be applied for after 5 years of legal residence in Germany, and in any cases peculiar integration achievements – even after 3 years. The law besides allows in most cases the preservation of erstwhile citizenship.
Prior to the reform, naturalization was only possible after 8 years of legal stay in Germany.
Syrians first
According to the German Statistical Office, about 28 percent of fresh citizens (83 150 people) who received German citizenship in 2024 came from Syria. Then there were people with Turkish citizenship (8 percent; 22 525), as well as Iraqi (5 percent; 13 545), Russian (4 percent; 12 980) and Afghan (3 percent; 10 085).
Of the 5 most popular nationalities, the number of naturalizations of Russians increased most. While German citizenship received only 1995 Russians in 2023, last year the number was more than six times higher and amounted to 12,980 people, an increase of 551 percent.
Poles with German passport
In the case of Poles, German citizenship received 6215 people last year – 775 more than a year earlier.
It is besides known about Poles receiving a German passport that they are on average about 35 years old and apply for naturalization after an average of 13.9 years in Germany.
After almost 12 years
In general, in the case of naturalization of all foreigners last year, the majority took place after a five-year period of stay – statistic have calculated. In addition, many have benefited from the rules on the naturalization of spouses and children, even if they have been in Germany for little than 5 years. This form of naturalization accounted for 86 percent of all cases.
On the another hand, about 7 percent of naturalised citizens benefited from the anticipation of accelerated naturalisation due to integration achievements.
According to data, the average dimension of stay in Germany at the time of naturalization was 11.8 years – almost 1 year longer than in 2023. For Syrians, the average last year was 7.4.
