Germany recorded a record number of naturalizations in 2025, with at least 309,852 people in 14 federal states, surpassing the previous nationwide peak of 291,955 set in 2024.

Some states, including Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Sachsen-Anhalt, did not provide data and others (Niedersachsen, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein) reported incomplete totals, so figures may still be provisional.

In 2024, nearly 292,000 people were naturalized, the highest number since 2000 and about 46% higher than 2023, with Syria and Turkey making up the largest share; 2025 is expected to rise only modestly, around 6%, according to Welt am Sonntag.

The reform allows dual citizenship and reduces the residency requirement, but officials emphasize that Ukrainians under the current protection status do not automatically gain citizenship.

Among naturalizations, some Russians are seeking to sever ties for political reasons, while others pursue easier family reunification and travel access.

Analysts say the reform accelerates naturalizations and anticipate ongoing fluctuations tied to migrant waves and legal adjustments.

Some municipalities report declining current application numbers but expect another surge as changes roll out, particularly for Ukrainian refugees who may apply for citizenship once protection expires and dual citizenship remains possible.

Authorities anticipate more Ukrainian refugees who arrived in 2022 to apply for citizenship from 2026 onward, once they reach five years of residency.

Experts expect a future uptick in Ukrainian citizenship naturalizations as refugees hit the five-year residency threshold, with spikes forecast around spring 2027 when protection status expires.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, major contributing nationalities include Turkish, Iraqi, Russian, and Iranian citizens.

The citizenship reform implemented mid-2024, allowing dual citizenship and reducing residence from eight to five years, is a key driver of the rise.

Reforms also clarified that migrants from the 2015–2016 intake and those meeting the five-year rule can seek naturalization under updated conditions.