At the end of February 2025, Eurostat published data on the acquisition of citizenship in European Union countries for 2023. The data includes information on the recipient countries of future citizens, with a detailed breakdown by shares. It also mentions the countries that are the source of the migrating population.

The data is released more than 14 months after the end of the reporting period because national statistical offices of EU countries submit their information with delays. After that, Eurostat spends time processing and verifying it.

As a result, the statistics arrive late, but this delay has its advantages, as the information is verified and accurate. In specific figures for 2023, 1.1 million people acquired citizenship of EU countries, which is 6.1% more than in 2022. The distribution of recipient countries is particularly interesting, so let’s take a closer look at them and try to understand the reasons behind their attractiveness to migrants.

Main Migration Destinations in 2023

The leaders were Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and Sweden — together they approved 78% of EU citizenship candidates in 2023. Other countries, such as Luxembourg, Belgium, or Portugal, also contributed but did not make it into the top 5 in terms of absolute numbers.

Spain

In 2023, Spain welcomed 240,200 new citizens, accounting for 22.9% of all naturalizations in the European Union. A significant portion of this flow consisted of people from Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, such as Venezuela and Colombia. For them, an accelerated naturalization program is available: it requires only two years of residence in the country and proof of Spanish language proficiency, unlike the standard 10 years for other foreigners.

However, the largest group among the new citizens was Moroccans — 54,027 people, according to data from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE). Morocco was under Spanish influence for a long time: from the early 20th century until 1956, the north of the country and part of the south were a Spanish protectorate. Spain still retains the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which are legally part of its territory.

This colonial history left its mark: in northern Moroccan regions like Tetouan and Tangier, the Spanish language remains widely spoken and is often considered a second native language. This has allowed local residents to apply for residence permits in Spain. However, accelerated naturalization is not an option for them: this privilege is reserved exclusively for Latin American residents.

Linguistic proximity is not the only draw for Moroccans. Over decades of colonial and post-colonial periods, many migrated to Spain, forming a diaspora of approximately 930,000 people (according to INE data for 2023). Once they obtain Spanish citizenship, they pave the way for their relatives: spouses, children, and elderly parents can apply for residence permits through the family reunification program, provided the citizen proves financial stability.

Social conditions also play a role. In 2023, unemployment benefits in Spain reached up to 80% of the minimum wage (€1260 per month), amounting to as much as €1008 per person, while migrants with residence permits could count on social assistance of €492 per month. However, living solely on these payments is challenging — they are time-limited and require active job-seeking efforts.

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Italy

In 2023, Italy granted citizenship to 213,600 new citizens, accounting for 20.3% of all naturalizations in the European Union. The majority of migrants came from Albania — 31,408 people.

Italy is home to about 440,000 Albanians, forming one of the largest diasporas, which facilitates obtaining residence permits through family reunification. To acquire an Italian passport, one must reside in the country for 10 years (5 years for refugees or 3 years if Italian ancestry can be proven).

Migrants also arrived from former Italian colonies (e.g., Eritrea and Somalia) and countries with significant Italian diasporas (Argentina, Brazil). There, descendants of 19th- and 20th-century immigrants can obtain citizenship in just 3 years by proving Italian roots.

A key factor was Italy’s social program. In 2023, refugees received a one-time payment of €300, while unemployment benefits (NASpI) reached a maximum of €1352 per month.

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Germany

Germany accounted for 19% of all EU migrants — 199,800 people. The main reason was a 2023 reform that reduced the residency requirement for naturalization from 8 to 5 years (or 3 years with “special integration achievements”).

The primary migrant flow consisted of Syrians and Turks. The former fled instability and a prolonged civil war, while the latter escaped rampant inflation of 28% per year. Social assistance (Bürgergeld) in 2023 amounted to €563 per month per adult, but unlike other countries, Germany also provided migrants with about €400—€500 for housing costs. Under such conditions, it was possible to live solely on benefits without seeking a job in Germany, a practice many migrants adopted.

France

The influx of migrants to France totaled 97,300 people, or 9.3%. Most came from France’s African colonies, such as Algeria, Mauritania, and Senegal. Migrants from these countries can obtain citizenship after 5 years of residency or in just 2 years if they were refugees from numerous local conflicts.

The minimum assistance (RSA) was €607 per month per person, plus housing subsidies (APL) of up to €300. Much like in Germany, migrants could realistically live on benefits without working.

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Sweden

In 2023, Sweden granted citizenship to 67,800 people, making up 6.5% of all new EU citizens (1.1 million). The main influx of new citizens came from Middle Eastern and African countries, with the largest group being Syrians who fled their country since the civil war began in 2011. Next were Afghans (5000–7000), escaping the Taliban’s rise to power. The smallest share came from EU countries like Poland or Romania. Most new citizens were refugees or their relatives who had received protection status in the 2010s and applied for citizenship after 5 years of residence.

Sweden has long been considered one of the most welcoming countries for refugees, as it accepted more refugees per capita than any other EU country until 2016. Even after tightening rules in 2023, refugees could rely on integration program benefits of 6500 kronor (€590) per month, plus housing assistance and payments of up to 1500 kronor (€140) per child.

While finding work without language skills is difficult, qualified migrants (e.g., Syrian doctors) benefit from diploma recognition programs, and large communities of Syrians (nearly 200,000 people) and Somalis ease relocation through family ties.

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Migrants in the EU in 2023 by Countries of Origin

In total, 87.6% of new EU citizens came from countries outside the European Union, while 10.7% were citizens of other EU countries who migrated within the union. In 2023, the primary sources of migrants were Syria, Morocco, Albania, Romania, and Venezuela. Other countries, such as Turkey, Ukraine, or Brazil, also appeared in the statistics but with smaller numbers, so we will focus only on the five main origins.

Syria

Approximately 107,500 Syrians received an EU passport, accounting for up to 10.2% of all applicants. The main reason, as previously mentioned, was the war that devastated the country’s economy. According to UN data, by 2023, 90% of the local population lived below the poverty line, resulting in over 6.8 million Syrians becoming refugees.

The majority (70.2%) obtained citizenship in Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Syrians could use their refugee status as a way to remain in the EU even after the situation in their country stabilized. Consequently, some recipient countries, such as Denmark, have already begun reviewing the status of Syrians.

Morocco

Moroccans made up 10.1% of new EU citizens. They were fleeing high unemployment (11.2% in 2023, according to World Bank data) and poverty (about 15% of the population live on less than $5.5 per day).

Morocco is a stable country without war, and some critics in the EU argue that the migrant flow from there is not a humanitarian necessity but rather an attempt to bypass strict labor visa requirements by exploiting loopholes in legislation.

Albania

Albania was the source of 44,400 people (4.2% of the migrant flow), largely due to the country’s economic backwardness compared to EU nations. Per capita GDP is around $6500, compared to an EU average of $45,000. Migration is predominantly driven by youth, as their unemployment rate reaches 20%, meaning one in five young people cannot find work within Albania.

The country is not an EU member but has been a candidate for accession since 2014. However, critics point to slow integration progress due to corruption and weak reforms.

Romania

Romania accounted for 3.5% of all new EU citizens (37,200 people). As EU citizens since 2007, Romanians obtain a second citizenship within the union, most often in Hungary (72%), thanks to the presence of about 1.2 million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, forming a significant diaspora with extensive family ties. Hungary, in turn, simplifies naturalization for ethnic Hungarians, requiring only knowledge of the language.

For Romanians, this is more of a political and cultural move than migration driven by poverty. They already have access to the EU market, and a second citizenship is often sought for additional benefits. For example, pensions in Hungary are higher than in Romania.

Venezuela

In 2023, 32,100 Venezuelans (3.1% of the total flow) received an EU passport. Since Spanish is the primary language for the vast majority of residents, they predominantly headed to Spain.

People were escaping a severe economic and political situation. Since 2019, the country has effectively had two centers of power: one led by Nicolás Maduro and the official government and the other by Juan Guaidó and opposition forces. This standoff has resulted in rampant inflation ,reaching 200% and a significant deterioration in living conditions.

Thus, based on Eurostat data for 2023, the EU saw a significant increase in naturalization, with 1.1 million people obtaining citizenship, up 6.1% from 2022. Spain, Italy and Germany became the main centers of attraction, granting 62% of all EU passports.

The main flow of migrants came from countries in crisis: Syria (10.2%), Morocco (10.1%), and Albania (4.2%). While Syrians and Venezuelans fled political instability and economic collapse, migrants from Morocco and Albania sought to overcome high unemployment and low living standards. Romanians already holding EU citizenship obtained a second passport mainly in Hungary for reasons of cultural identity and additional social benefits.