New German Government to Scrap 3-Year Fast-Track to Citizenship

Charlie Germany 10 April 2025 | | 0

Germany's next government, formed by the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the center-left SPD, plans to get rid of the fast-track option that allows some immigrants to become citizens after just 3 years.

This decision is part of the coalition agreement the parties released this week.

The 3-year pathway to citizenship was introduced in June last year by the previous government. It was available to immigrants who showed they were well-integrated into German society. To qualify, applicants needed a high-level C1 German language certificate and had to demonstrate strong achievements such as doing volunteer work or excelling at their job or in school.

However, the CDU and CSU have repeatedly criticised this path, calling it “turbo” naturalisation. They believe three years is too short for someone to earn German citizenship.

Anyone in Germany working toward citizenship needs to pay serious attention to how this change could affect their plans.

What Stays the Same?

Immigrants can still apply for German citizenship after 5 years of living in Germany. To qualify, they have an intermediate B1 level of German. This is still faster than the old rule before the reform, which required 8 years.

Dual citizenship will also remain allowed, even though some conservative leaders have opposed it. Before the recent reform, most people from non-EU countries had to give up their original citizenship to become German.

The new coalition also ruled out plans to take away German citizenship from dual nationals, even if they are accused of supporting terrorism or extremist views. The CDU/CSU had previously suggested this idea, but it was strongly criticised by the SPD and migrant organisations.

Instead, the new government may explore ways to deport non-citizens who oppose Germany’s democratic values but not revoke citizenship from those who already have it.

Do you have plans to obtain German citizenship? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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