Increase in Citizenship Grants Reaches All-Time High
Germany Witnesses Record-Breaking Number of Naturalizations
New figures reveal a significant spike in the number of foreigners given German citizenship last year. According to "Welt am Sonntag," a newspaper, 249,901 individuals received German citizenship in 13 federal states throughout 2023, surpassing the previous record of 200,095 set in 2020.
While several states provided preliminary data upon request, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein did not offer total figures. The report comes following the government's liberalization of the citizenship law in 2022.
The reform, which took effect on June 27, 2024, reduces the waiting period for naturalization from eight to five years. Immigrants can now attain citizenship after five years instead of eight, and after three years in case of exceptional integration achievements. However, the new coalition of Union and SPD aims to reverse the expedited naturalization after three years.
Helmut Dedy, the main managing director of the German Towns Association, attributes this surge in applications to the large refugee movements in 2015 and 2016. Additionally, the relaxation of rules requiring the relinquishment of previous citizenship may encourage more applicants to seek German citizenship.
Our report also reveals that German law now permits dual citizenship, with some restrictions. Applicants must demonstrate their financial stability to meet the requirements for naturalization. Discretionary naturalization can be granted to certain individuals living abroad in exceptional circumstances.
These reforms could have a positive impact on both the economy and society, as newly naturalized citizens may contribute to Germany's workforce and foster greater integration. However, the future of the citizenship law remains uncertain, as the black-red government plans to revise the legislation.
[1] Source: ntv.de, lme/dpa
Tags: Migration, Immigration
- The government's recent measures in policy-and-legislation, such as the relaxation of citizenship rules and the permissibility of dual citizenship, have contributed to the surge in naturalizations, bolstering the employment policy and potentially the community policy.
- The ongoing debates in politics, particularly the intentions of the black-red government to revise the citizenship law, could significantly influence future migration trends and general-news reports on Germany's employment policies.
