Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has publicly criticized Berlin’s digital-first approach to naturalization, raising concerns over the integrity of the process and calling for a return to in-person interviews. His remarks come amid a dramatic increase in the number of people gaining German citizenship in the capital.
In 2024, nearly 22,000 people were naturalized in Berlin. That number is expected to climb to 40,000 this year—a nearly twofold increase driven in part by digital application procedures introduced by Berlin’s State Office for Immigration (LEA).
Dobrindt, however, sees the development with skepticism. “Naturalization requires that applicants commit to the free democratic basic order and confirm they do not pursue anti-constitutional goals,” he told Bild. “I find it hard to imagine that this can be done without a personal interview.”
He emphasized that anyone seeking German citizenship must also acknowledge Germany’s historical responsibility—especially with regard to the protection of Jewish life. “The accuracy of the review must be the only standard,” he said, cautioning against what he described as “quota-driven” targets, referencing internal LEA reports suggesting pressure to double naturalization numbers in 2025.
Record Numbers Amid Legal Reform
According to the Federal Statistical Office, Germany naturalized 291,955 individuals in 2024—the highest number recorded since statistics began in 2000. The surge is linked to a recent overhaul of Germany’s citizenship law, which shortened the required period of residency for applicants.
Syrian nationals made up the largest group among the new citizens at 28 percent. Other major groups included Turkish (8 percent), Iraqi (5 percent), Russian (4 percent), and Afghan (3 percent) nationals.
While Dobrindt acknowledged the importance of naturalization in a modern immigration society, he warned that speed should not come at the expense of scrutiny. Berlin officials have defended the digital process as a necessary modernization step to manage growing demand efficiently—but Dobrindt’s remarks suggest the debate over trust, control, and inclusivity in German migration policy is far from over. welt.de
