Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded a citizenship acquisition rate of 1.21 per cent in 2024, remaining below the European Union average, according to Eurostat. The EU average stood at 2.73 per cent.
Cyprus rate compared with regional and northern European levels
In comparison with regional peers, Greece recorded a rate of 1.92 per cent, while significantly higher levels were observed in northern Europe.
Sweden registered the highest rate in the EU, with 7.55 citizenships granted per 100 non-national residents, while Norway recorded 4.34.
At the lower end of the scale, Lithuania reported a rate of 0.09 per cent, underscoring wide disparities across Europe.
EU citizenship acquisitions rise in 2024
Across the European Union, nearly 1.2 million people acquired citizenship in 2024, marking an increase of 11.6 per cent, or 122,700 people, compared with 2023.
This also represents a 54.5 per cent increase compared with 2014, when 762,100 citizenships were granted.
Germany, Spain and Italy account for a large share
The majority of new citizenships were issued by Germany, Spain and Italy, which together accounted for a significant share of the total.
Germany granted 288,700 citizenships, representing 24.5 per cent of the EU total, followed by Spain with 252,500, or 21.4 per cent, and Italy with 217,400, or 18.5 per cent.
Most recipients were nationals of non-EU countries
Most recipients of EU citizenship in 2024 were nationals of non-EU countries, accounting for 88.0 per cent, while citizens from other EU countries represented 10.6 per cent.
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