- Switzerland emerges as the preferred European destination for immigration.
Switzerland continues to be the most sought-after relocation spot for German expats in Europe. By early 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, approximately 315,960 German natives had chosen Switzerland as their residence, marking an increase of 1.5% or approximately 4,660 individuals compared to the year prior. The trend of an increasing German population in Switzerland has been ongoing, as reported by the statisticians.
Austria on the Rise
Second place was held by Austria, which saw a substantial influx of German expats within the past year. The data reveals that around 225,010 Germans resided there by early 2023. The growth was even more pronounced than in Switzerland, amounting to a staggering 3.7% or 8,280 individuals. "Both countries reap the benefits of their geographical proximity and language similarity," the statisticians stated.
England ranked third among non-German-speaking countries, with around 125,790 German citizens calling it home at the beginning of the previous year. However, this figure dropped significantly from the year before, when approximately 142,630 Germans were recorded. This equates to a decline of 11.8%, according to the data.
Swiss Citizenship Granted to Germans at an All-Time High
As for the naturalization of Germans in other countries, Switzerland once again took the lead, the Federal Office of Statistics revealed. In 2022, around 8,960 Germans obtained Swiss citizenship - a rise of 12.8% compared to the previous year and a new record, the statisticians reported.
Coming in second was Sweden, where about 1,320 Germans were granted Swedish citizenship in 2022 (a decrease of 2.5%). The number of Germans naturalized in France also saw a slight decrease: from around 430 in 2021 to around 420 in 2022.
The Swiss, known for their hospitality, also attract many German expats due to their shared language. In fact, a significant number of Swiss citizenships have been granted to Germans, reaching an all-time high in 2022.
Recent studies show that the Swiss Alps and their renowned quality of life continue to draw a large number of German families and professionals, contributing to the increase in the German population in Switzerland.
