THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Germany recorded a historic surge in naturalisations in 2024, with nearly 292,000 foreign nationals acquiring German citizenship – the highest number ever recorded since official statistics began in 2000. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, this represents a 46% increase compared to 2023, marking a clear upward trend.
The sharp rise is attributed partly to legal reforms introduced in June 2024, which significantly lowered barriers to citizenship. Under the new law, the minimum residency requirement was reduced from eight to five years. Those demonstrating exceptional integration achievements, such as strong German language skills or academic and professional achievements, can now apply after just three years.
This reform has already had measurable impact: around 7% of those naturalised in 2024 qualified through these shortened residency pathways. However, the government recently approved a draft law that will abolish this “express naturalisation” pathway, pursuant of its policy to roll back some of the migration reforms carried out by the former traffic coalition government.
Moreover, the controversial requirement to renounce one’s original nationality before acquiring German citizenship was abolished, making dual citizenship the new standard and encouraging long-term residents reluctant to give up the nationality of their countries of origin to now apply for German citizenship.
Who became German in 2024?
Syrian nationals topped the list of new citizens, accounting for 28% of all naturalisations. They were followed by Turkish nationals (8%), Iraqis (5%), Russians (4%), and Afghans (3%). The most significant year-on-year increase was recorded among Russian citizens, whose naturalisations surged by 551% compared to 2023 – rising from around 2,000 to nearly 13,000. This sharp increase is likely linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the resulting EU sanctions against Russia, prompting many Russians to seek German citizenship to mitigate the impact of these measures.
On average, those naturalised in 2024 had lived in Germany for 11.8 years. However, the length of residency varied widely by nationality – Syrians had stayed an average of 7.4 years before acquiring citizenship, while Turkish citizens had spent 23.1 years in the country.
The naturalisation rate – the proportion of people of a given nationality in Germany who were naturalised – was highest among Syrians at 9%, followed by Iraqis at 6%, Russians at 5% and Turks at just 2%.
Backlogs and Bottlenecks
Despite the surge, the number of naturalisations reflects only a fraction of the eligible population. Application backlogs remain a major issue across the country. In most of Germany’s 50 largest cities, the average processing time exceeds one year, according to a report by the Migration Media Service, an independent, non-profit information platform.
In response, municipalities are reported to have have ramped up efforts to meet rising number of applications. Many have digitised procedures and expanded staffing. Leipzig, for example, is reported to have increased its personnel fivefold.
A New Era for German Citizenship?
Germany’s historically restrictive citizenship laws have undergone major transformations over the past two decades. The 2024 reforms aim to reflect the realities of an increasingly diverse society. With the naturalisation potential now rising – from 3.6% in 2023 to 5.1% in 2024 – the trend is likely to continue. Yet, without resolving administrative delays and ensuring equal access, many eligible residents may remain in limbo.
Sola Jolaoso
