Germany to Abolish Fast-Track Citizenship for Well-Integrated Migrants

Germany's new coalition government, formed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has announced plans to abolish the fast-track citizenship process that allowed well-integrated migrants to naturalize after three years of residence. Introduced in June 2024, this policy enabled foreign nationals with high levels of integration—such as C1-level German proficiency, stable employment, and active civic participation—to apply for citizenship after just three years.​

Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that citizenship should be the "final step of integration, not the starting point." He indicated that the expedited naturalization pathway could be discontinued as early as April 2025, pending legislative approval.​

Impact on Current Applicants

Individuals who have already submitted applications under the fast-track scheme will still be processed under the existing rules. However, once the new legislation is enacted, the minimum residency requirement for naturalization will revert to five years.​

Additional Migration Policy Changes

The coalition also plans to:​
- Implement stricter citizenship requirements, including the potential revocation of citizenship for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes.​
- Limit family reunification for certain refugee categories.​
- Resume deportations to specific countries, such as Syria and Afghanistan, under defined safety conditions.​

These measures reflect the government's intent to exercise greater control over immigration and integration processes within the country.