Germany recorded a new high in naturalisations in 2025 despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s promises to tighten migration policy, according to figures cited by German outlet Apollo News.
Data from 14 federal states showed that at least 309,852 people received German citizenship last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Final nationwide figures are expected to be higher because data from several states is still incomplete.
Syrians remained the largest group receiving citizenship. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, more than 18,000 Syrians were naturalised last year, followed by Turkish and Iraqi nationals. The report also noted a rise in the number of Russian citizens granted German passports.
In Berlin, the number of naturalisations increased sharply over the past two years, rising from fewer than 9,000 in 2022 to almost 40,000 in 2025.
German municipalities expect the numbers to continue rising in the coming years, with many preparing for an increase in applications from Ukrainian refugees who will become eligible for citizenship from spring 2027 under Germany’s five-year residency rule.
During the election campaign, Merz pledged to reverse key parts of the previous government’s citizenship reforms. So far, his government has only abolished fast-track naturalisation after three years.
