2025/07/11 by Fabian Gülzau · 2 voices
Social Sciences · #Migration and Labor Dynamics #Migration, Refugees, and Integration #Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees
paper · doi:10.1080/1369183x.2025.2530634
This article presents the findings of a novel survey experiment that investigates public attitudes towards naturalisation applicants in Germany. By employing vignettes of hypothetical applicants, the study examines the influence of various attributes on respondents’ decisions regarding the granting of German citizenship. The results indicate that respondents are more likely to support naturalisation when applicants demonstrate integration through language proficiency and employment, along with an extended period of residence. Furthermore, there are clear preferences related to the origin of the applicants – British citizens are given priority for naturalisation compared to individuals from Turkey and India. Additionally, older respondents display a tendency to reject dual citizenship, preferring applicants who are willing to renounce their former citizenship. While ethnic considerations remain important, the dominance of merit-based criteria in citizenship evaluations highlights a significant shift in naturalisation preferences in Germany.