75 new citizens in the Alzey-Worms district: Integration celebrated!

75 new citizens in the Alzey-Worms district: Integration celebrated!

There was a celebratory occasion in the Alzey-Worms district today: District Administrator Heiko Sippel presented 75 naturalization certificates to new citizens. This ceremony took place in the cafeteria of the Alzeyer high school and was accompanied by a musical performance by the cellist Dr. Accompanied by Christoph Brehler, who played works by Johann Sebastian Bach. The new citizens come from 29 different countries of origin and are between one and 72 years old. At this emotional event they solemnly declared their support for the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. After the certificates were handed over, the German national anthem was sung, which further increased the festive mood. According to Alzeyer Zeitung, Sippel emphasized the importance of naturalization and that it represents a significant contribution to integration into society.

In recent years, the number of naturalizations in the district has increased significantly. In 2021, 222 naturalizations were recorded, while in 2025 there were already 352. This is an encouraging trend that the reform of nationality law, which came into force in June 2024, could further promote. With this change in the law, the previous residence period was shortened from eight to five years and multiple nationality is now recognized, making it easier for many migrants to gain German citizenship. Federal government emphasizes that naturalization now requires a long-term bond with Germany, and this means that applicants must, among other things, have adequate knowledge of German and be able to independently secure their livelihood.

Naturalization requirements at a glance

The requirements for naturalization in Germany are clearly defined. In order to obtain German citizenship, an application is required, which can be completed independently from the age of 16. If you are under 16, your parents must submit the application. Advice from the responsible authorities is recommended. These are:

• Ausländerbehörde der Stadt oder Gemeinde
• Jugendmigrationsdienste (JMD)
• Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer (MBE)
• Stadt- oder Kreisverwaltung

In addition to a permanent right of residence or certain residence permits, the requirements also include proof of a livelihood without state support and sufficient knowledge of German at level B1. In addition, applicants must make a commitment to the basic democratic order. The naturalization test that many prospective citizens have to take is also important. This contains 33 questions about democracy, history, society and specific topics in the federal state. Registration is required and the test costs around 25 euros. According to BAMF, the preparation for this test is well organized, with materials and preparation courses offered by various federal states.

Today's ceremony is a beautiful sign that integration is successful and naturalization is a valuable contribution to a diverse community. District Administrator Sippel also encouraged the new citizens to do volunteer work in order to become an active part of society and enrich coexistence. With the rapid development of naturalization numbers and the new legal framework, it is to be hoped that this positive momentum will continue and that many more people will be able to acquire German citizenship.