Memmingen's citizenship surge: Over 1,000 new Germans in two years
Memmingen has seen a sharp rise in naturalizations over the past two years. More than 1,000 residents gained German citizenship in 2024 and 2025—far surpassing the total from the previous six years. The surge follows changes to Germany's nationality law in mid-2024, which shortened the residency requirement for well-integrated foreign workers.
In 2024, 493 people were naturalized in Memmingen, with another 524 receiving citizenship in 2025. This brings the two-year total to 1,017, compared to just 793 from 2017 to 2023. The increase aligns with a spike in applications: requests jumped from 267 in 2023 to 701 in 2024. Processing times currently average six to eight months.
Nearly half of the 2025 applicants came from the Western Balkans. Kosovo led with 80 new citizens, followed by Turkey (79) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (66). The reform of Germany's nationality law in June 2024 played a key role, reducing the required residency period from eight to five years for eligible candidates. Other Bavarian cities have seen similar trends. In Kempten (population 70,000), naturalizations rose from 250 to 380 between 2024 and 2025. Kaufbeuren (population 48,000) saw an increase from 180 to 290, while larger cities like Fürth and Erlangen recorded growth of 35–45%. Memmingen's figures, however, remain notably higher relative to its size. Early 2026 data suggests the upward trend will continue. Mayor Jan Rothenbacher has welcomed the development, citing benefits for the local economy and community integration.
The reforms and rising demand have transformed naturalization patterns in Memmingen. With over 1,000 new citizens in two years, the city now processes applications at a much faster rate than before. Officials expect the trend to hold in 2026, reflecting broader changes across Bavaria.
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