In 2024, over 290,000 people were granted German citizenship — nearly 50% more than in 2023, when about 210,000 individuals received a German passport, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Bloomberg.
Among the new citizens were approximately 83,000 Syrians. The number of Russians who obtained German citizenship increased more than sixfold, reaching almost 13,000. This significant surge is partly attributed to reforms introduced by the previous government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, aimed at attracting skilled workers and addressing Germany’s chronic labor shortages.
Under the new legal provisions, individuals can apply for citizenship after five years of residence, down from the previous eight years. For those considered well-integrated, the period may be reduced to just three years.
However, the new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and his coalition have already taken steps to repeal the fast-track naturalization process. Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the decision was intended to “reduce pull factors and bring more order to the migration process.”
This shift in policy also reflects rising political pressure. Public concern over irregular migration has contributed to growing support for the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for stricter immigration controls.
According to figures from April 2024, Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees granted asylum to only 10% of Russian nationals who submitted requests.
Following the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, two major waves of emigration occurred — the first in spring 2022 after the invasion began, and the second in autumn following the announcement of mobilization. According to estimates from the Re:Russia project, more than 820,000 people left Russia since February 2022, marking the most extensive emigration wave in the country in a century.
Earlier we wrote that Europe expands citizenship revocation for crimes and terrorism.