Suspension of family reunification - decision expected on Friday
On June 27, the Bundestag will decide on a law that suspends family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection for two years. The draft comes from the CDU/CSU and SPD and was already discussed in a first session on June 6.
What does the draft law say?
The draft law is entitled "Draft law on the suspension of family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection". It focuses on two central points:
- The word "limitation" is to be added to the definition in Section 1 (1) sentence 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). This is intended to clarify that the law not only serves to control immigration, but also expressly to limit it.
- Family reunification for persons entitled to subsidiary protection under Section 36a AufenthG is to be suspended for two years. Exceptions apply in cases of hardship and special humanitarian situations (Sections 22 and 23 AufenthG).
How do the CDU/CSU and SPD justify the new law?
In its explanatory statement, the federal government refers to the high number of people seeking protection: in 2023, over 329,000 asylum applications were made in Germany, and in the first half of 2024 just under 230,000. According to the government, this poses major challenges for the federal states and local authorities, particularly in terms of housing and integration services.
Family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection is currently limited to 1,000 visas per month in accordance with Section 36a of the Residence Act. This quota was regularly exhausted in 2023 and 2024, according to the federal government. At the beginning of 2025, there were around 388,000 beneficiaries of subsidiary protection living in Germany.
Motion: Die Linke calls for family reunification to be made easier
Also on Friday (June 27), the Bundestag will discuss a motion by the parliamentary group Die Linke. This goes in the opposite direction: Die Linke demands that family reunification should not be restricted, but rather facilitated and expanded.
The Left Party criticizes the fact that many refugees with subsidiary protection status often live separated from their families for years. Their proposal includes:
- Same right to family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection as for recognized refugees
- Extension of the hardship regulation (Section 22 Residence Act) - as it only covers very rare exceptional cases and excludes most of those affected
- Rejection of the two-year suspension of family reunification
- Introduction of special appointments at visa offices for families with underage children
- Abolition of the monthly quota rule of 1,000 visas
In its justification, Die Linke refers to several rulings by German courts, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the European Court of Justice (ECJ). All of them emphasize that family law issues must always be examined on a case-by-case basis - especially if children are involved or family reunification in the country of origin is impossible.
Naturalization: Withdrawal of the "turbo" regulation
On 26 June, the Bundestag will discuss a reform of citizenship law for the first time. Naturalization after just three years ("turbo"Naturalization), which was introduced in June 2024, is to be abolished. Instead, a general minimum residence period of five years is to apply in future.
All other requirements for naturalization, such as language skills, independent livelihood and absence of criminal record , remain in place.
The explanatory memorandum states that sustainable integration requires a certain period of residence in Germany. Only then is Naturalization justified. After the first reading, the draft will be referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs for further consultation. A decision is expected before the summer break in 2025.
AfD motion: Cancel citizens' allowance for Ukrainian refugees
On June 26, an AfD motion will also be discussed that aims to abolish the citizen's allowance for refugees from Ukraine. They currently receive citizen's allowance instead of benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act due to a special regulation. Further details on the AfD's motion are not yet publicly known.
A similar change was already stipulated in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. However, only a few days ago, Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD) announced that this regulation would not come into force until the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026 at the earliest.
Until then, refugees from Ukraine - including those who came to Germany after April 1, 2025 - will continue to receive citizen's allowance.
Conclusion: What is politically feasible - and what is not?
In the session week from June 23 to 27, 2025 , the Bundestag will decide on several projects relevant to migration policy. It is already becoming clear which of these are likely to find a majority:
Suspension of family reunification
Although there are critical voices within the SPD regarding the bill, a majority is expected in favor of suspending family reunification. The CDU/CSU (208 seats) unanimously supports the reform. Even though the SPD (120 seats) has been cautious so far, a large part of the parliamentary group is also likely to vote in favor - which would mean a majority has already been reached. The AfD (151 seats) is also likely to vote in favor of the law.
The Left (64 seats) and the Greens (85 seats) reject the bill. However, their votes are not enough to stop the law. It is therefore very likely to be passed on Friday.
Naturalization naturalization after three years
There has also been hardly any visible resistance to the planned law to reverse Naturalization in the debate to date. The public and political discussion has been accompanied by critical voices since its introduction - especially from conservative circles. Some state governments were also rather sceptical about the regulation from the outset.
As the current bill is merely a deletion of this special rule - not a fundamental reform of citizenship law - a broad majority in the Bundestag can be expected. The return to the regular minimum residence period of five years should therefore be decided before the summer break.
Application for extension of family reunification
With its motion, the Left Party opposes the planned suspension of family reunification and instead calls for an extension and simplification.
However, the proposal is unlikely to find a majority in the Bundestag. Neither the CDU/CSU nor the AfD are interested in such an extension. Even if some Green MPs hold similar positions in terms of content, the number of votes will not be sufficient to push the motion through.
Cancellation of citizens' allowance for Ukrainian refugees
The AfD parliamentary group's motion to end the citizen's allowance for refugees from Ukraine will most likely not find a majority. The federal government is planning to revise the regulation - but this will not happen until after the summer break.
In addition, the other parliamentary groups are generally opposed to AfD initiatives ("firewall"). The CDU/CSU is also unlikely to support a motion tabled by the AfD, even if it pursues similar objectives in terms of content.
