Records in Hesse: Darmstadt at the top!

Hessen recorded a record high in the naturalizations in 2024. This has been the highest level since the beginning of the recording in 2007. The main reason for this increase is the introduction of multi -state in June 2024, which enables those who are willing to become naturalized to keep their previous nationality. In this context, the Frankfurter Rundschau in particular the authorities in Darmstadt, Kassel and Gießen Network decisions and applications record.

The city of Darmstadt, the largest naturalization authority in Germany, made over 20,000 naturalization decisions in 2024, 19,000 of which were positive. This has been the highest value since the beginning of the recording in Darmstadt. A total of 28,882 naturalization applications have been processed in Hesse, which means an increase of 33% compared to the previous year and 250% compared to 2020. The cities of Kassel and Gießen also reported significant figures: there were 3,714 naturalization decisions in Kassel, of which 3,363 were positive. Gießen reported 2,972 decisions, 2,456 of them positive.

prerequisites for naturalization

The website of the Hessian government describes that naturalization is the award of German citizenship to foreigners. In order to initiate a naturalization procedure, various requirements must be met. This includes, among other things, a legal stay in Germany at least five years, a clarified identity and nationality, as well as sufficient knowledge of German at level B1.

Naturalization takes place by handing over a naturalization certificate after all the necessary documents have been submitted and checked. The fees for the application are usually 255 euros. Special regulations exist for specific case constellations such as the naturalization of family members or foreigners with German spouses. In Hesse, the municipalities with over 7,500 inhabitants or the counties are responsible for the processing of naturalization applications.