| Key Points German Citizenship Statistics |
|---|
| ‣ Germany naturalized nearly 292,000 foreigners in 2024—a record-breaking 46% increase from 2023. ‣ Syrians topped the list with over 83,000 gaining citizenship, followed by Turkish, Iraqi, Russian, and Afghan nationals. ‣Legal reforms, including shorter residency requirements and allowance for dual citizenship, played a major role in the surge. |
In 2024, Germany granted citizenship to 291,955 foreign nationals, marking the highest number since records began in 2000. This represents an increase of 91,860 individuals or +46% compared to 2023, as reported by Reuters.
| Year | Total Naturalizations | Year-on-Year Change |
| 2023 | 200,095 | 18.56% |
| 2024 | 291,955 | +46% |
Who Gained German Citizenship in 2024?
Top 5 Nationalities Naturalized
| Nationality | Number of Naturalizations | Percentage of Total |
| Syrian | 83,150 | 28% |
| Turkish | 22,525 | 8% |
| Iraqi | 13,545 | 5% |
| Russian | 12,980 | 4% |
| Afghan | 10,085 | 3% |
Syrian nationals led the way, accounting for more than 1 in 4 new German citizens. Turkish citizens followed, though they saw the largest increase in absolute numbers (+11,790). Russian citizens had the largest percentage jump, rising 551% year-on-year (from ~1,995 to 12,980).
What Changed? Legal Reforms Behind the Spike
The Act to Modernize Citizenship Law (StARModG) came into effect on June 27, 2024, and brought the following major changes:
- Standard residency requirement reduced from 8 to 5 years.
- Exceptional integration achievements can now reduce this to just 3 years.
- Dual citizenship is now generally allowed, making naturalization more appealing.
These changes drastically lowered barriers to citizenship and explain much of the sharp rise in applications and approvals.
How Long Did People Stay Before Gaining Citizenship?
The average length of residence before naturalization in 2024 was 11.8 years, up slightly from 10.9 years in 2023. But this varied widely by nationality:
| Nationality | Avg. Years in Germany (2024) | Avg. Years (2023) |
| Syrian | 7.4 years | 6.8 years |
| Turkish | 23.1 years | 23.3 years |
| Russian | 14.5 years | 14.4 years |
| Iraqi | 8.7 years | 8.8 years |
| Afghan | 8.9 years | 9.2 years |
Syrians tend to apply as soon as eligible, often arriving during the 2015–2016 refugee influx. In contrast, Turkish citizens tend to wait much longer—more than two decades on average.
Special Integration: A Path to Faster Naturalization
About 7% of naturalizations in 2024 occurred after a shortened residency period, thanks to special integration efforts (e.g., academic or professional achievements).
- 86% of all naturalizations used the standard route (5-year requirement or co-naturalization of family).
- The use of the special integration route has decreased from 22% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, as the general requirements became more inclusive.
Naturalization Rates: Who’s Applying the Most?
Naturalization rate = % of people from a nationality living in Germany who became citizens in a year.
| Group | Naturalization Rate (2024) |
| Stateless persons | 22% |
| Syrians | 9% |
| Iraqis | 6% |
| Russians | 5% |
| Turkish | 2% |
While stateless individuals had the highest rate at 22%, Syrians had the top rate among recognized nationalities. In contrast, Turkish nationals—despite being the second-largest group—had a relatively low conversion rate of 2%.
Final Thoughts
Germany’s new citizenship numbers in 2024 signal a historic shift in immigration and integration policy. A combination of modernized laws, accelerated pathways, and more inclusive policies have opened the doors for hundreds of thousands of people to officially call Germany home.