BRUSSELS, Belgium — Nearly 1.2 million people acquired citizenship in a European Union country where they resided in 2024, marking a significant increase from the previous year, according to new data released by Eurostat.
The figure represents an 11.6 percent rise compared with 2023, equivalent to an additional 122,700 people.
Over a longer period, the number of citizenships granted has grown substantially, increasing by 54.5 percent since 2014, when 762,100 individuals were naturalised.
Germany, Spain and Italy Account for Majority
Three countries accounted for the largest share of new citizenships in 2024. Germany granted 288,700 citizenships, representing 24.5 percent of the European Union total.
Spain followed with 252,500, or 21.4 percent, while Italy granted 217,400, accounting for 18.5 percent.
Together, these three countries were responsible for more than half of all citizenships granted across the bloc.
Most New Citizens From Outside the EU
The data show that the overwhelming majority of recipients were from outside the European Union.
Non-EU nationals accounted for 88 percent of all new citizens, while individuals from other EU countries made up 10.6 percent.
Among nationalities, Syrians formed the largest group of new citizens, with 110,100 people acquiring EU citizenship in 2024.
Moroccans were the second-largest group, with 97,100, followed by Albanians at 48,000.
Variation in Naturalisation Rates
The naturalisation rate, which measures the number of people acquiring citizenship relative to the population of non-national residents, varied significantly across the European Union.
Sweden recorded the highest rate in 2024, with 7.5 citizenships granted per 100 non-national residents.
Italy followed with a rate of 4.1, while Spain and the Netherlands each recorded rates of 3.9.
At the lower end of the scale, Lithuania had the lowest rate at 0.1, with Bulgaria and Estonia each recording rates of 0.3.
Definition and Measurement
Eurostat defines citizenship as the legal relationship between an individual and a state, which may be obtained through birth, naturalisation or other legal pathways.
Naturalisation typically involves a formal application process, although citizenship may also be granted through family connections or descent.
The agency noted that the naturalisation rate should be interpreted with caution, as it includes all forms of citizenship acquisition and is measured against the total number of non-national residents, not only those eligible for naturalisation.
The figures form part of a broader dataset on migration and citizenship trends across the European Union.
