Record Naturalizations Spark Debate Over Dual Citizenship in Germany
Berlin – Germany naturalized a record 291,955 people in 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office, prompting renewed calls from within the Union parliamentary group (CDU/CSU) to restrict dual citizenship. the figures, representing the highest number sence data collection began in 2000, show Syrians forming the largest cohort of new citizens, followed by those originally from Turkey, Iraq, Russia, and Afghanistan.
The debate centers on concerns about integration and loyalty, with politicians demanding stricter conditions for maintaining German citizenship. Stephan Mayer (CSU) told Bild newspaper, “Violent criminals, serious criminals, enemies of the constitution, anti-Semites and German-haters must have their citizenship revoked promptly if they have two passports.It cannot be that we give people the privilege of citizenship and then they trample on our values and us. We urgently need a fundamental reform of citizenship law now.” mayer specifically highlighted supporters of Hamas as a group of concern, alleging they “stir up hatred of Israel.”
Mayer further questioned the principle of general dual citizenship, asking, “As a country, we have to ask ourselves whether we still want general dual citizenship and whether we can still afford it.”
Cornell Babendererde (CDU), responsible for naturalization law within the Union parliamentary group, stated in Bild, “Dual citizenship should be the exception, not the rule.” He added, ”If 80 percent of naturalized people want to keep their old passport in addition to their German citizenship in 2023, we have to ask ourselves: Is the love and identification with our country perhaps not so great in the end and is it perhaps more about receiving the advantages guaranteed with the German passport?”
official figures on the total number of dual nationals in Germany are unavailable, though estimates vary. The 2022 Census recorded approximately 5.8 million dual nationals, while the 2024 Microcensus listed 3.1 million. However,the trend appears to be increasing,with 80 percent of the roughly 201,000 new citizens in 2023 permitted to retain their original passports alongside their German citizenship,according to the Federal Statistical Office.
