Integration and Naturalisation of Refugees and Migrants

The two-day conference at ProjektZentrum Berlin, hosted by the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) with support from Stiftung Mercator, brought together leading researchers and practitioners to examine how naturalisation policy is shaped in Germany. Opening remarks by Dr Jan Schneider set a thoughtful tone, and panels featured experts such as Prof Dr Christina Zuber, Dr Marie Walter-Franke, and Dr Hakan Yücetas, who highlighted how bureaucracy, political culture, and administrative discretion influence citizenship decisions.

Day 1 explored the politics behind citizenship law, including debates over dual citizenship and the discretionary role of street-level bureaucrats. Presenters emphasised how local political climates and opaque procedures can create inconsistencies, leaving applicants navigating complex and often overwhelming processes. Day 2 focused on lived experiences, looking at political participation among newly naturalised Syrians, the administrative hurdles refugees face when proving identity, and how citizenship interacts with integration and mobility over time.

The conference offered both insight and perspective. It was striking to see how closely policy, administration, and personal experience are intertwined, and how small procedural choices can have significant real-world consequences. SVR’s convening role — combining rigorous research with practical dialogue — underscored the importance of evidence-based, humane citizenship policies. For anyone engaged in migration and integration policy, the event highlighted both the challenges and opportunities for making naturalisation more fair, transparent, and accessible.