The Mipex as a country comparison for Naturalization
In order to be able to compare the different countries with one another, an index or an institution is needed that defines criteria. For Naturalization , this is the Mipex (Migrant Integration Policy Index). It compares the speed of Naturalization in different countries around the world. The countries perform differently in the ranking.
Background information on Mipex
Mipex was first published in 2004, when 25 different European institutions were involved in the study. It is funded by the EU-INTI program, an EU integration program, among others. The possibility of multiple nationality and thus dual citizenship is also part of the criteria.
The guidelines according to which the Mipex statistics are calculated are as follows:
Free access to the labor market
Opportunities for family reunification
Educational opportunities
Access to support in the area of health
Opportunity for a long-term stay
Opportunity for political participation
Access to the Naturalization
Measures against discrimination against immigrants
Start and expansion
Initially, Mipex was only intended for Europe and three other non-EU countries. In the meantime, many non-EU countries have been added and it is a global index with 56 countries. Many of the world's major nations (USA, Russia, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Canada) are included in the Mipex. The study is published every four years.
Current Mipex comparison for Naturalization
The latest Mipex study from 2020 summarizes the fastest and strictest countries in terms of Naturalization (worldwide and in the EU).
The world's 6 fastest naturalization countries
The sixth fastest country to Naturalization is Portugal, an EU country. Portugal achieved a score of 86 points.
The USA is the 5th fastest country for Naturalization . Many people think that Naturalization is very complicated in the USA. This is a misconception. The problem with the USA is not Naturalization, but the possibility of obtaining a right of residence, which is a prerequisite for Naturalization .
In 4th place, ahead of the USA, is neighboring Canada with the same score as the USA and 88 possible points. The countries in 3rd and 2nd place are also on the American continent. Brazil is in 3rd place on the Mipex with 91 points and Argentina is in 2nd place with 91 points.
New Zealand tops the Mipex with 92 points. This is where Naturalization is the easiest and most straightforward to use according to the Mipex criteria.
The world's 6 most difficult countries for naturalization
The six strictest countries for Naturalization start with India, which is ranked 51st out of 56 countries with 16 points. Estonia comes in 52nd place in the Mipex ranking, also with 16 points. Austria took 53rd place with 13 points, followed by Bulgaria in 54th place with the same number of points.
The two strictest countries for Naturalization in the global ranking comparison are in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comes in 55th place with 9 points and the last place in the study is occupied by the UAE's neighboring country, Saudi Arabia, with 0 points.
The EU-wide 6 easiest countries for naturalization
According to the Mipex study, Naturalization is the easiest in the EU in Portugal (86 points), with Sweden in second place just behind Portugal with 83 points. Luxembourg is in 3rd place with 79 points. Ireland comes in 4th place, also with 79 points. Places 5 and 6 are taken by Finland (74 points) and France (75 points).
The EU-wide 6 strictest naturalization countries
The 6 strictest countries in the EU according to the Mipex study did not perform well in the study and scored low. Lithuania came in 22nd place with 22 points. Slovenia came 23rd with the same 22 points. Croatia (19 points) and Estonia (16 points) landed in 24th and 25th place respectively.
Bringing up the rear and therefore the strictest countries in the EU in terms of Naturalization are Austria in 26th place with 13 points and Bulgaria in 27th and last place with a score of 13 points. These countries are particularly restrictive when it comes to Naturalization across the EU.
Germany in Mipex comparison
For you as people living in Germany, it is crucial to know how Germany performs in the rankings and how the situation regarding Naturalization for foreigners is currently developing and will develop in the future. Germany is neither at the top nor at the bottom of the rankings.
Germany in the midfield worldwide and EU-wide
In a global Mipex comparison, Germany is in the middle of the rankings with 41 points and 31st place. EU-wide, Germany comes in 12th place and is therefore in the upper midfield of the ranking. The reason for Germany's average performance could be the old Naturalization Act, which will be replaced by the new Naturalization Act on 27 June 2024.
Future cut-offs and changes to the new naturalization law
It is to be expected that Germany will do better in the new ranking, which will be published this year, than it did in 2020. The reason for this expectation is the reform of the Naturalization Act. With the new law, you will be able to apply for Naturalization after just five years of legal residence. If you meet certain requirements, you will even be able to do so after just three years. The upcoming dual citizenship will also make Naturalization easier and more attractive in future.
The new Naturalization Act brings significant simplifications. However, there will be more applications and therefore longer waiting times in the naturalization process, as the authorities will be faced with a higher volume of work.
Do you have any questions?
Conclusion on the global comparison of Naturalization
The Mipex comparison shows that Germany and the EU countries perform differently in a global comparison. Portugal is a positive example, while countries such as Bulgaria, Austria and Slovenia perform significantly worse according to the index. Germany is in the middle of the field. With an optimistic view to the future as soon as the new naturalization law comes into force.
How Germany performs in the future and how easy Naturalization will be in Germany in the future depends on political aspects. For this reason, it is good for you to become actively involved in your own integration. The more positive arguments you collect, the more likely you are to Naturalization!
FAQ - The most frequently asked questions about the simple Naturalization
According to the international Mipex study, New Zealand is the easiest country to obtain Naturalization . Argentina and Brazil are in second place. Canada and the USA are in 4th and 5th place, while Germany is in mid-table in the Mipex study in 31st place.
With the new Naturalization Act, you can apply for German citizenship after five years instead of the previous eight. This can lead to longer waiting times. So the sooner you apply to Naturalization , the sooner you will be granted German citizenship.
According to the Mipex study, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bulgaria, Austria and Estonia are particularly strict when it comes to Naturalization. The countries receive correspondingly few integration points in the study.
The Mipex is an international study on integration that is updated every four years. It indicates how conducive a country is to integration in a global comparison. Guidelines are certain points for integration, such as the opportunity to work or the possibility of family reunification.
