- Occasion: Ceremonial reception for the new citizens of the city of Jena.
- Number: A total of 303 individuals were naturalized.
- Period: The naturalizations took place in the second half of 2025.
- Distribution: 121 women and 182 men received German citizenship.
Jena. A moving moment in the Jenaer Rathaus and a strong signal for the Saalestadt: The city administration has once again ceremoniously welcomed its new citizens. The event focused on 303 people who decided to choose not only Jena as their place of residence but Germany as their official home.
A reflection of the international urban society
The figures presented during the ceremony illustrate Jena’s attractiveness as a center of life. A total of 303 individuals naturalized in the second half of 2025 were invited to this ceremony. The group consists of 121 women and 182 men who now officially hold all the rights and duties of German citizenship.
The countries of origin of the new citizens are as diverse as the urban society itself. Among those naturalized are people with roots in Ukraine, Syria, Russia, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, and India. This diversity also reflects Jena’s role as a location for science and business, attracting skilled workers and families from all over the world.
Significance of naturalization
Obtaining German citizenship is often the conclusion of a long and bureaucratic journey. Above all, however, it marks a new beginning: With the handover of the certificate, those affected receive full voting rights at the federal, state, and local levels, freedom of movement within the European Union, and the legal security of being able to remain in Germany permanently.
For the city of Jena, regularly hosting these receptions is more than just a formal necessity. It is a gesture of appreciation. In times of demographic change and a shortage of skilled labor, cities like Jena rely on people not only working here but also putting down permanent roots.
Integration as an ongoing process
The event provided a framework not only for congratulations but also for exchange. Many of the new citizens have already lived in Thüringen for years, studied here, work in local companies, or have started their families here. Naturalization is thus often the formal confirmation of an integration that is already being lived.
With such events, the Jena city administration emphasizes that integration is not a one-way street but a mutual commitment. By receiving citizenship, the 303 new citizens are now invited to actively help shape the future of the city and the country – whether through political engagement, volunteering, or daily interaction.
We wish all new citizens all the best for their future in Jena.
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Transparency note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.