How many Nigerians moved to Germany in 2025?
Germany issued 7,812 first residence permits to Nigerian citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 1,607 more than in 2024 (6,205), a change of +25.9%. By reason: family 3,519 (45.0%), other reasons 2,963 (37.9%), education 800 (10.2%), work 530 (6.8%). 5,530 of them (70.8%) were valid for 12 months or more.
Germany · Nigerian citizens · 2025: 7,812 first residence permits
Germany issued 24.4% of all first permits given to Nigerian citizens in the EU in 2025 (32,039). Every EU country.
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
What this number is, and what it is not
- It is the number of Nigerian citizens who received a residence permit in Germany for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
- It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
- It leaves out Nigerians who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
- It is not the number of Nigerians living in Germany, which is much larger.
Why Nigerians moved to Germany in 2025: permits by reason
| Reason | 2025 | Share | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | 3,519 | 45.0% | 2,837 | +24.0% |
| Education | 800 | 10.2% | 614 | +30.3% |
| Work | 530 | 6.8% | 378 | +40.2% |
| Other | 2,963 | 37.9% | 2,376 | +24.7% |
| All reasons | 7,812 | 100% | 6,205 | +25.9% |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.
Nigerians moving to Germany, year by year (2019–2025)
| Year | All reasons | Family | Education | Work | Other | Valid 12+ months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6,339 | 2,166 | 1,172 | 162 | 2,839 | 3,316 |
| 2020 | 5,474 | 1,729 | 683 | 169 | 2,893 | 2,599 |
| 2021 | 6,870 | 2,790 | 572 | 327 | 3,181 | 3,692 |
| 2022 | 7,576 | 3,475 | 859 | 497 | 2,745 | 4,632 |
| 2023 | 7,704 | 3,631 | 776 | 506 | 2,791 | 5,037 |
| 2024 | 6,205 | 2,837 | 614 | 378 | 2,376 | 3,924 |
| 2025 | 7,812 | 3,519 | 800 | 530 | 2,963 | 5,530 |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Questions people ask
How many Nigerians moved to Germany in 2025?
7,812 Nigerian citizens received a first residence permit in Germany in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 1,607 more than in 2024 (6,205), a change of +25.9%.
How many Nigerians moved to Germany in 2024?
6,205 Nigerian citizens received a first residence permit in Germany in 2024.
Why do Nigerians move to Germany?
The most common reason in 2025 was family (3,519 permits). By reason: family 3,519 (45.0%), other reasons 2,963 (37.9%), education 800 (10.2%), work 530 (6.8%).
How many Nigerians moved to Europe in 2025?
The 27 EU countries issued 32,039 first residence permits to Nigerian citizens in 2025; Germany issued 24.4% of them. All countries.
Is this the number of Nigerians living in Germany?
No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.
Visas and statistics for Germany on this site
- Germany visa income requirements 2026
- Germany EU Blue Card: income requirement
- Germany Schengen visa rejection rate 2025
- Visa refusal rates for Nigeria: Schengen, UK and more
Where else Nigerians moved in 2025
Who else moved to Germany in 2025
How many Nigerians moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator