A total of 200,100 people acquired German citizenship in 2023, accounting for the highest number registered since 2000.
Announcing that 157 different nationalities benefited from German citizenship, the Federal Statistical Office of Germany said that 2023’s figures represent a 19 per cent increase from 2022’s statistics, SchengenNews reports.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, citizens of the following countries accounted for the highest number of citizenships granted in Germany last year:
- Syria (75,000)
- Türkiye
- (10,700)
- Iraq (10,700)
- Romania (7,600)
- Afghanistan (6,500)
The office revealed that on average the group of newly naturalised German citizens was 29.3 years old and younger than the general population of Germany which according to the government is about 44.6 years old. At the same time, women accounted for nearly 45 per cent.
In 2022, a total of 168,545 people living in Germany acquired citizenship in this country, thus representing just 3.1 per cent of internationals who had been living in Germany for at least ten years.
The figures from Germany’s government revealed that about 14 per cent of people living in Germany do not hold passports issued by this country, representing about 12 million people. Of that total, nearly 5.3 million have been living in Germany for at least ten years.
Surge in Number of Israelis with German Ancestry Applying for German Citizenship
The figures from the Federal Office of Administration of Germany revealed that in the first four months of this year, 6,869 requests for naturalisation were filed by citizens of Israel with German ancestors.
In 2022, Germany received 5,670, and in 2023, it received 9,129 applications for naturalisation.
Earlier this month, authorities in Germany unfolded plans to introduce a new online platform to give detailed information related to the procedures for applying for German citizenship when the new citizenship law takes effect.
Furthermore, German authorities said that they would launch a new advertising campaign as well as an online information website to provide details regarding the steps and requirements needed to acquire citizenship in this country.
In January this year, the German Bundestag approved a draft law to facilitate the process of acquiring citizenship for foreign nationals.
When it comes to naturalisation, multiple nationalities should generally be accepted in the future. At the same time, naturalisation should generally be possible after a stay of five instead of the current eight years, and even after three years if special integration services are provided.
In addition to that, the government also applied new changes in order to improve the citizenship process for children born to foreign parents in Germany, shortening the period of residence for a parent from eight to five years.
