Record-Breaking Year for German Naturalisation as 291,955 People Acquire Citizenship in 2024

Germany saw a historic surge in naturalisations in 2024, with a total of 291,955 individuals granted German citizenship—marking a 46 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This represents a rise of 91,860 people from the 2023 figures and the highest number recorded since the introduction of naturalisation statistics in 2000, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

“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,” Destatis confirmed in its press release. The sharp increase underscores a growing interest in acquiring German citizenship, particularly among residents from non-EU countries.

Syrian nationals led the surge, with 83,150 Syrians becoming German citizens in 2024, accounting for 28 per cent of the total number of new citizens. According to the data, Syrians also had the highest naturalisation rate among the top five nationalities: “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,” Destatis noted.

Following Syrians, the largest groups of new German citizens included former Turkish nationals (22,525 or eight per cent), Iraqis (13,545 or five per cent), Russians (12,980 or four per cent), and Afghans (10,085 or three per cent). One of the most striking figures came from Russia, where the number of applicants for German citizenship skyrocketed by 551 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2023, 1,995 people with former Russian citizenship were naturalised; in 2024, that number ballooned to 12,980—more than six times higher.

Turkish nationals also saw a significant rise in naturalisation figures. The number of dual or former Turkish citizens acquiring German citizenship increased by 110 per cent, or 11,790 individuals, compared to the previous year. Similarly, naturalisations of Syrian citizens rose by ten per cent year-on-year, with 7,665 more Syrians becoming citizens than in 2023.

Destatis pointed to government reforms and legal provisions supporting faster naturalisation in specific cases as key drivers of the upward trend. “Several measures have been implemented by the German government in recent years, which have prompted more people to obtain German citizenship,” the agency reported.

A notable portion of 2024’s naturalisations—86 per cent—were co-naturalisations of spouses and children. Additionally, seven per cent of new citizens were granted citizenship on the basis of “special integration efforts,” such as shorter required periods of residence due to exceptional integration achievements.

The average length of residence in Germany before naturalisation in 2024 was 11.8 years, slightly longer than the 10.9-year average recorded in 2023. For Syrians, the average duration of stay prior to obtaining citizenship rose to 7.4 years in 2024, up from 6.8 years the year before.

Destatis also highlighted the situation of stateless persons, revealing that over one-third of this group—22 per cent or 4,130 individuals—acquired German citizenship in 2024.

With these figures setting a new benchmark, 2024 will be remembered as a milestone year for German naturalisation, driven by a combination of legislative changes, integration policies, and rising demand for the benefits and stability of German citizenship.

By fLEXI tEAM