Increase in number of citizenship grants reaches new peak
Germany Sets Citizenship Record: 249,901 New Citizens in 2023
In a significant milestone, a record number of people became German citizens last year, according to a survey by "Welt am Sonntag." The total of 249,901 citizenships granted across 13 federal states surpassed the previous record of 200,095 in 2022.
Data from several states, partially provisional, was shared in response to the newspaper's request, while Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein did not provide the total figures.
The surge in citizenship applications can be attributed to a combination of factors, including legal reforms, increased migration, and government support. Changes in eligibility criteria and simplified processes have encouraged more applications, particularly among those who had been previously undocumented or on long-term residence permits[1].
A significant portion of the recent applicants is believed to include those who migrated to Germany during the large refugee movements in 2015 and 2016, now seeking full integration into German society[2].
The record number of citizenship grants is set against the backdrop of the government's plans to revisit the citizenship law. The accelerated citizenship process introduced in 2024, which allows immigrants to obtain citizenship after five years instead of the previous eight and after three years for exceptional integration achievements, is under review[3].
However, the coalition agreement between the Union and SPD maintains the reduction of the waiting period for normal citizenships from eight to five years and the permission for dual citizenship[3]. This retains the easing of the citizenship process implemented by the previous government.
Germany, as a nation that welcomes migration, is now focusing on modernizing and simplifying citizenship regulations to facilitate naturalization and better integrate migrants[4], while ensuring social cohesion and inclusion.
[1] Changes in Eligibility and Legal Reforms (Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa)[2] Increased Migration and Integration[3] Politics of Tightening Family Reunion and Planned Reforms (Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa)[4] Facilitating Naturalization and Integration (Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa)
The surge in citizenship applications in Germany can be attributed to factors such as increased migration, policy changes, and government support. This is happening amidst the government's plans to revisit the citizenship law, focusing on modernizing and simplifying regulations to facilitate naturalization, improve integration, and ensure social cohesion. The the employment policy, community policy, and policies related to migration, policy-and-legislation, and politics are likely to be impacted by these changes in the general news landscape.
