Record grave in Saxony: Naturalizations rise to a 25-year high!
Naturalizations in Saxony will reach a peak of 4,400 in 2025. Reforms accelerate the integration process.

Record grave in Saxony: Naturalizations rise to a 25-year high!
In Saxony, the number of naturalizations has almost doubled in the last twelve months. As the daily news reported, around 4,400 immigrants received German citizenship last year. This corresponds to an increase of 1,800 naturalizations compared to the previous year, which means an increase of 41 percent. This means that Saxony has achieved the highest number of naturalizations in 25 years.
Overall, the development of naturalizations in Germany is remarkable. The naturalization law reform process introduced in 2023 has meant that citizens can now apply for German citizenship after just five years of residence, instead of previously after eight years. If your integration performance is particularly good, naturalization is even possible after three years. In addition, children of foreign parents who have at least one parent who has lived legally in Germany for five years can also receive German citizenship.
Naturalizations at a record high
The statistician Destatis reports that around 200,100 people were naturalized across Germany in 2023, the highest number since 2000. This significant number represents an increase of around 31,000 compared to the previous year. What is particularly noteworthy is that Syrian nationals, with 75,500, made up the largest group among those naturalized. This development is associated with the high immigration of Syrians seeking protection between 2014 and 2016.
While “turbo naturalization” opens up many opportunities, there are now also considerations to reduce this quick process. The federal government is planning to abolish the possibility of naturalization after three years. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has announced that they want to try to eliminate “pull factors” and curb illegal migration. Loud ZDF Today The turbo option, which has rarely been used so far, is seen by the population as worthy of expansion, as most naturalizations take place for other reasons, such as the general length of stay.
The look into the future
The discussion about rapid naturalization shows how differentiated this topic is. At the same time, it illustrates the dynamic change in the federal government's migration policy. Planned measures, such as suspending family reunification for those entitled to subsidiary protection and making the naturalization process more difficult, could result in many opportunities being lost. But the increasing number of naturalizations overall is also a positive sign for integration and participation in society. While the reforms are underway, it remains to be seen how naturalization numbers will develop in the coming years.