SYRIANS BECOME GERMAN CITIZENS AT A TRIPLED RATE IN 2021

Fri 10 June 2022:

According to figures released on Friday, the number of Syrians who became naturalized German citizens was three times more in 2021 than the previous year, as many of those who left between 2014 and 2016 met eligibility criteria.

The number of foreigners who become naturalized Germans increased by 20% in 2021, to almost 131,600, according to the Federal Statistical Office. There were 19,100 Syrians among them who became German citizens.

After former Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the gates to refugees fleeing violence and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere in 2015, hundreds of thousands of migrants entered Germany.

While, in general, a person has to live in Germany for at least eight years to qualify for citizenship, the majority of Syrians qualified earlier – on average after 6.5 years – by showing particular willingness to integrate, for example with strong language skills and civic commitment, it said.

The office said 2021 saw the highest number to date of people who naturalised early, with just under 12,400 cases. Of those, 43% were Syrian.

In 2022, the number of Syrians who become naturalized is likely to climb as well. The office noted that 449,000 Syrian nationals had been in Germany for at least six years at the start of the year, more than four times the number at the start of 2021.

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