A total of 2548 people were naturalized in Saxony last year. That was 272 more than in 2022, as the Saxon Commissioner for Foreigners Geert Mackenroth announced at the annual naturalization ceremony in the Dresden state parliament on Saturday. Most of them received a German passport in Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz. "Immigration secures our future and our prosperity," said Mackenroth. "We are dependent on our new fellow citizens in the city and country, in society and in companies." The festival makes the enrichment of the Free State of Bavaria visible.
Since 2004, the festival has honored people who have become German citizens in the previous year. Their number has been increasing since 2014, with the exception of the coronavirus years. Candidates must have lived in Germany for at least eight years, have a permanent right of residence, be able to support themselves without social welfare or Hartz IV, speak German, be committed to the Basic Law, pass the naturalization test and not have a criminal record.
Since 1990, almost 63,600 people with foreign roots have fulfilled these requirements. In future, naturalization will be possible more quickly, with the time limit reduced from eight to five years. In the case of special integration achievements, it can also take place after just three years, as the spokesperson for the Commissioner for Foreigners said. "In future, multiple citizenship will also be possible in principle." Applicants would also have to commit to the free democratic basic order.
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