Syrians Naturalizing in Germany: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities – DeZIM Lunch Discussion Recap

The German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM) invites you to the DeZIM Lunch Discussion on the topic “Syrians yesterday, Germans today? On the naturalization of refugeeson Monday, January 23, 2023, at the DeZIM Institute in Berlin.

Last year, more than 130,000 foreigners were naturalized in Germany – 20 percent more than the previous year. This development can be explained primarily by the many naturalizations of refugees of Syrian origin who have arrived in Germany since 2015. Around 19,100 Syrians became German citizens in 2021. As of 2020, this number has almost tripled so much. This trend is likely to continue as more and more Syrians meet the requirements for naturalization.

To be naturalized, you must demonstrate sufficient language skills, a secure livelihood and a residence period of at least eight years. However, the eight-year rule can be waived if people achieve “special integration achievements” – for example, they speak German well, perform particularly well at school or at work, or have they are socially involved. This was true for most of the newly naturalized Syrians.

The new federal government wants to lower the barriers to obtaining German citizenship and further shorten the deadlines for naturalization. Will these measures help more refugees become naturalized? Can the example of the Syrians be transferred to other groups? And why is it even desirable to naturalize refugees as soon as possible?

These questions will be discussed at the DeZIM Lunch Discussion with the following participants:

• Liam Haller is a research assistant at the DeZIM Institute. He researched the topic of naturalization and interviewed refugees from Iraq and Syria.
• The input is discussed by Dr. Jan Schneider from the office of the Advisory Council for Integration and Migration (SVR). Recently, the scientific staff of the SVR published a policy summary that they co-authored on the possibility of nationality among refugees.
• Enhancement: Dr. Zeynep Yanaşmayan, Head of Migration Department at DeZIM Institute.

You can register by email until January 20th [email protected] be done

More information and updates about the event can be found at this connection.