A total of 3,764 people were naturalised in the German state of Brandenburg in 2024, accounting for the highest number registered in more than 20 years, based on the preliminary figures provided by the Interior Ministry in Potsdam.
While in the previous 20 years, the figures usually stood below 1,000, there was marked a notable increase in the past few years, Schengen.News reports.
The Ministry reveals that in 2022 there were 1,195 naturalisations in the German federal state of Brandenburg, while in 2023, the figures stood at 2,490, marking a notable year-on-year increase.
Most Naturalised Citizens Were Syrians
The majority of those naturalised last year in Brandenburg were nationals of Syria, Ukraine, Poland, and Iran.
The figures from the Ministry reveal that in Brandenburg last year naturalisations increased from 43 in 2022 to 139 last year. However, with the surge in the number of applications the number of pending applications is also increasing.
According to German authorities, the process now takes about 20 months from submission.
Increase in Naturalisations in Berlin
The figures from the State Office for Immigration (LEA) showed that in Berlin there also was registered an increase in the number of citizenships granted last year.
According to the State Office’s naturalisation department, Wiebke Gramm, more than 21,000 people were naturalised in Berlin for a period from January 2024.
In December 2024, Gramm said that in 2025, the State Office aims to achieve a total of 40,000 naturalisations.
Gramm considered the goal realistic, stressing that it can be achieved after at present 3,000 naturalisations are being achieved per month. Besides, expressed her hopes that this year 40 more employees will be hired next year.
New Citizenship Law Attracting Larger Number Citizenship Applications
In June 2024, German authorities announced the introduction of the New Citizenship Law, permitting applicants to obtain citizenship without being subject to long waiting times.
Anyone who shares our values and makes an effort can now get a German passport more quickly and no longer has to give up part of their identity by giving up their old nationality. But we have also made it just as clear: anyone who does not share our values cannot get a German passport.
As part of the new law, foreign nationals interested in obtaining citizenship in Germany are not required to give up their previous nationality.
