Record number of Syrians became German citizens in 2022

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - A record number of Syrians became German citizens in 2022, according to official statistics released on Tuesday.

As many as 48,320 Syrians, many of whom escaped civil war between 2014 and 2016, successfully completed integration programs and received their German passports, the Federal Statistical Office has announced.

The number of naturalizations more than doubled in a year, the data showed. In 2021, 19,100 Syrians, and in 2020, 6,700 Syrians became German citizens.

Last year, a total of 168,545 foreigners had become naturalized German citizens, and Syrians were among the largest group, roughly 29% of the total number of naturalizations.

Some 14,235 Turkish expats, 6,810 Iraqi citizens, and 5,565 Ukrainians also successfully got their applications approved and became German citizens in 2022.

Around 13 million of Germany’s total population of 84 million are foreigners, and many of them do not possess German citizenship, even if they have long been living in the country.

The German government prepared a draft law this month to modernize the country’s citizenship law, which would simplify the process of acquiring German citizenship, and enable multiple citizenship for immigrants.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly said that speeding up the process of naturalization would enhance integration, and social and political participation.

The draft law is expected to be finalized by the Cabinet before the summer holiday. It will then be submitted to the parliament for approval.