This 20% increase corresponds, in absolute terms, to around 163,000 more citizenship assignments to people from third countries (87%).

According to data from the European Statistical Service, in absolute terms, Italy (213,700, 22% of the total in the EU), Spain (181,800, 18%) and Germany (166,600, 17%) were the countries with the most statutes of citizen attributed.

Among the Member States, the biggest increases, from 2021 to 2022, were registered in Italy (92,200 more), Spain (37,600) and Germany (36,600).

At the other end of the table, fewer citizenships were granted in France (-15,900), the Netherlands (-9,300) and Portugal (-3,700).

In 2022, Portugal granted a total of 20,800 citizenships, compared to 24,500 in the previous year, a decline of around 8%.