Germany: Incoming government to halt proposed 3-year citizenship pathway for immigrants

The incoming German government plans to halt the proposed fast-track three-year pathway to citizenship for immigrants, as against the five-year pathway.

Under the new policy, immigrants will instead be eligible for citizenship after five years of residency, with less stringent language requirements. Dual citizenship, which was previously restricted, will remain permissible, as the government will focus on measures to expel non-citizens who pose a threat to Germany’s democratic values.

The incoming German government, composed of the Conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) alliance and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), proposed this new policy.

This pathway, introduced last year, required applicants to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the German language and substantial integration into society, such as through volunteer work or notable professional or academic achievements.

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According to the coalition agreement unveiled this week, the three-year fast-track naturalisation route, introduced under the previous SPD-led government, will be discontinued.

The provision, which came into effect in June last year, allowed “exceptionally integrated” immigrants to apply for citizenship after just three years of residency, provided they demonstrated a high C1 level of German and had made notable contributions to German society, such as through volunteering, academic achievement, or professional excellence.

Opposition to the 3-year route

The CDU and CSU, had consistently opposed the measure, labelling it “turbo naturalisation” and arguing that a three-year residency period was insufficient to warrant citizenship. With the conservatives regaining influence, the provision is set to be scrapped.

Nevertheless, the standard five-year pathway to citizenship, which requires continuous residency and a B1 level of German will remain intact, following reforms passed last year.

This route will continue to be open to most foreign nationals meeting integration requirements.

Dual citizenship remains intact despite conservative reservations

Regardless, the incoming coalition will preserve the right to dual citizenship, which is a change introduced by the former government which removed the long-standing restriction on holding German and non-EU nationalities simultaneously.

Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, expected to become the next Chancellor, had expressed scepticism about the expansion of dual citizenship, the party ultimately conceded on the matter during coalition negotiations with the SPD.

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No plans to strip citizenship from dual nationals

The coalition has also ruled out pursuing a previous proposal to revoke the citizenship of naturalised dual nationals deemed to support terrorism, antisemitism, or extremism. T

he idea, initially floated by the CDU/CSU, had been met with criticism from both the SPD and migrant advocacy groups, who argued it would devalue German citizenship for dual nationals and introduce discriminatory standards.

Instead, the new government intends to explore legal mechanisms for deporting non-citizens who advocate for the dismantling of Germany’s democratic constitutional order, a move that will target non-nationals rather than those who already hold German citizenship.

Ngozi Ekugo

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Labour Market Analyst and Correspondent, specializing in the research and analysis of workplace dynamics, labour market trends, immigration reports, employment law and legal cases in general.

Her editorial work provides valuable insights for business owners, HR professionals, and the global workforce. She has garnered experience in the private sector in Lagos and has also had a brief stint at Goldman Sachs in the United Kingdom.

An alumna of Queens College, Lagos, Ngozi studied English at the University of Lagos, holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Hertfordshire and is an Associate Member of CIPM and Member of CMI, UK.