Naturalizations 2025: All-Time High with 332,500 New Germans | allfacts360
Naturalizations in Germany Reach All-Time High in 2025
Wiesbaden, June 03, 2026
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Summary
In 2025, more people in Germany acquired citizenship than ever before since statistics began in 2000. With 332,500 naturalizations, the number increased by 14 percent compared to the previous year, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden.
Wiesbaden, June 03, 2026
In 2025, 332,500 foreign nationals acquired German citizenship in Germany – more than ever before since the introduction of statistics in 2000, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden.
Peak in Origin Groups
The authority explained: "Never before since the introduction of statistics in 2000 had more than 300,000 people been naturalized within a year." The number of naturalizations was therefore 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure, which corresponds to an increase of 40,500 people. With this increase, the mark of 300,000 annual naturalizations was exceeded for the first time in the history of the Federal Republic on a comparable data basis.
Among those naturalized, Syrian nationals constituted the largest group with approximately 65,600 people (20 percent). However, their number decreased by 21 percent compared to 2024. The second-largest origin group was Turkish citizens with 34,100 naturalizations. In total, 91 percent of all cases were accounted for by these two types of naturalization.
2024 Reform as a Driver
According to the statisticians, the number of naturalizations for both groups increased by more than half compared to the previous year. The statistics also recorded particularly strong growth compared to the previous year for Bosnian nationals (plus 126 percent to 8,800), US-American nationals (plus 100 percent to 6,600), and Albanian nationals (plus 97 percent to 6,100) who were naturalized.
The Federal Office attributes the increase, among other factors, to the reform of citizenship law, which came into effect at the end of June 2024. The new regulation, among other things, expanded the possibility of dual citizenship, which lowered the hurdles for many applicants. The responsible authority in Wiesbaden sees this reform as a significant reason for the considerable increase in numbers for several origin groups.
The average duration of residence at the time of naturalization in 2025 was 12.4 years. Syrian nationals had resided in Germany for an average of 7.9 years at the time of their naturalization, while Turkish citizens had resided there for an average of 24.1 years. The differences reflect the migration waves of past decades.
High Approval Rate for Applications
Last year, according to the authority in Wiesbaden, 467,400 naturalization applications were registered. Of the 371,100 processed applications, around 90 percent resulted in naturalization. Only about three percent of all applications were rejected, and the rest were withdrawn or otherwise resolved. The high approval rate indicates that most applicants met the requirements.
The so-called "Turbo-Einbürgerung" (fast-track naturalization), which was introduced in 2024 by the then "traffic light" coalition government, also played a role. However, this option was abolished at the end of October 2025. In 2025, only 1,500 people were naturalized within this timeframe, which was less than one percent of all naturalizations. Thus, regular naturalization remained the standard path to German citizenship.
Requirements for Naturalization
The requirement for naturalization in Germany is generally a lawful residence of five years. Applicants must also be able to support themselves and their families without state assistance, have no serious prior convictions, and demonstrate advanced German language skills in a test.
Additionally, the German naturalization test requires knowledge of Germany's legal and social order, culture, and history. Those who wish to be naturalized must also commit to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law. These requirements are intended to ensure that new citizens are familiar with the country's fundamental values.
Focus on North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state, the number of applications also increased significantly. According to the state statistical office IT.NRW, over 100,000 people submitted a naturalization application last year. The majority of applicants came from Syria, Turkey, and Iraq.
The highest number of applications in NRW were recorded in the major cities of Düsseldorf with 7,050 and Cologne with 6,820 applications. In Essen, Duisburg, and Dortmund, several thousand people also applied for naturalization. Metropolitan areas with high immigration thus have an above-average number of naturalization proceedings.
Personal Example from Oelde
The example of Octavian-Nicolae Doroiu and his wife Raluca-Diana illustrates how naturalization practically works. The couple came to Germany from Romania in 2015. He works as a dentist in a private practice, and she is an anesthesiologist in a hospital. About two years ago, both received their naturalization certificates from the district administrator of the Warendorf district.
Doroiu described his motivation in an interview: "It was important to me to also have German citizenship. Not just because it's easier to work in Germany without all the bureaucracy. We simply want to belong." For the couple, naturalization also meant acquiring the right to vote in Germany, which they have now had for two years.
The process itself took Doroiu about two years from application to approval. The couple now lives in Oelde with German citizenship. Their case is exemplary for many naturalized individuals who are professionally integrated and wanted to reduce bureaucratic hurdles with a German passport.
The increase in 2025 continues the trend of recent years, making it possible for more and more people to acquire citizenship in Germany. It remains to be seen in the coming years how the abolition of the "Turbo-Einbürgerung" at the end of October 2025 will affect the numbers. The Federal Statistical Office analyzes the data annually in the summer of the following year.
The high approval rate of around 90 percent indicates that the majority of applicants meet the naturalization requirements. Political discussions about adjustments to citizenship law, for example on the issue of multiple nationalities, are ongoing.
Questions & Answers
How many people were naturalized in Germany in 2025?
In 2025, 332,500 foreign nationals acquired German citizenship – more than ever before since the introduction of statistics in 2000. This corresponds to an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year.
Which origin groups constituted the largest proportion of naturalized individuals in 2025?
Syrian nationals made up the largest group with approximately 65,600 people (20 percent), followed by 34,100 Turkish citizens. In total, 91 percent of all naturalizations were accounted for by these two groups.
What are the requirements for naturalization in Germany?
Applicants must generally have lived legally in Germany for five years, be able to support themselves independently, demonstrate advanced German language skills, have no criminal record, and pass a naturalization test. They must also commit to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law.
