The new naturalisation ceremonies under the reformed German Citizenship Law (July 2024 – March 2025)

The naturalisation certificate is handed over at the end of an often lengthy and time-consuming administrative process. In the 2000s, larger cities in Germany began to give this administrative event a festive setting, although the approaches to organising naturalisation ceremonies vary. The modernisation of Citizenship Law in 2024 now provides a legal framework for such ceremonies: Section 16 of the Citizenship Act stipulates that the certificate is to be presented at a public ceremony. The Federal Council, the second parliamentary chamber representing the 16 German Federal States, criticised this regulation due to an imminent overburdening of the authorities and data protection concerns. In a briefing note, the SVR’s scientific staff categorises these concerns and discusses various recommendations for the organisation of celebrations in federal states and municipalities.

Contact
Dr. Jan Schneider
Head of Research Unit
Telefon: +49 30. 288 86 59 – 22
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