A warm welcome: 77 new citizens ceremoniously honored in Alzey-Worms!

A warm welcome: 77 new citizens ceremoniously honored in Alzey-Worms!

On a festive day in Alzey-Worms on September 5, 2025, a total of 77 new citizens from 27 different countries of origin were welcomed in a celebratory ceremony. District Administrator Heiko Sippel welcomed the new citizens in the cafeteria of the Alzeyer high school, where they received their naturalization certificates and declared their commitment to the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. “Starting a new chapter in your life means not only rights, but also responsibilities,” says Sippel.

The national anthem was sung together and gave the celebration a special atmosphere. The new citizens, whose ages range from 2 to 68, have all met the necessary requirements for naturalization. These include, among other things, a high level of German language skills and a permanent right of residence. This underlines the importance of a strong bond with Germany - be it linguistic, social or cultural, as the Federal Cabinet highlighted in a recently passed amendment to the nationality law. [Federal government] reports that the pre-residence period for naturalization has been shortened from the previous eight years to five years.

New opportunities through changes in the law

Naturalization is now also possible under certain conditions for people who have lived in Germany for five years. This is in line with the new regulations that came into force in June 2024. However, the possibility of naturalization no longer applies after three years if special integration services are provided. This could be a challenge for many, as a high level of German language skills must also be demonstrated. The legal requirements also include, among other things, securing a living to ensure that newly naturalized people can be integrated into society. [BAMF] explains that in addition to submitting an application from the age of 16, consultations with the responsible authorities are also recommended.

The new citizens in Alzey-Worms have identified themselves with various countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan, Romania and Kosovo. In his speech, Sippel emphasized how important it is to volunteer and actively participate in shaping society.

Naturalization statistics

The numbers show a positive trend: While naturalizations have increased steadily in recent years, the year 2024 saw a peak with 346 new citizens. 280 naturalizations have already been registered for the current year 2025. The entire development illustrates the ongoing desire of many people to become part of society.

• Einbürgerungszahlen:
• 2021: 222 Personen
• 2022: 301 Personen
• 2023: 296 Personen
• 2024: 346 Personen
• 2025: 280 Personen (bisher)

The celebration was musically performed by Dr. Christoph Brehler on the violoncello accompanied a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach and rounded off the event in a stylish manner. How the new citizens take their place in society and actively participate in the community remains exciting to observe.