However, it is currently uncertain whether the law will be passed before the summer break in 2025, as originally assumed. What is behind it?
Naturalization: What does the draft law provide for?
Naturalization after three years was introduced as part of the reform of citizenship law on 27 June 2024. It could now be abolished again. The draft presented by the governing coalition states that
"Sustainable integration into local living conditions takes time. The five-year period of prior residence that is generally required for naturalization takes sufficient account of this, so that further shortening options should be ruled out."
This means that if the law comes into force, a minimum stay of five years would be a prerequisite for Naturalization in future - regardless of individual integration achievements.
What do the members of the Bundestag say about the law?
It seems almost symbolic that exactly one year to the day after Naturalization came into force, its abolition is now being discussed. In terms of content, however, the debate last Friday was less about the regulation itself and more about the reform of citizenship law as a whole.
AfD parliamentary group member Gottfried Curio criticized not only Naturalization after three years, but also after five years. "Citizenship should be an expression of arrival - this is not guaranteed after five years." The AfD also called for Naturalization to be made a discretionary decision again, instead of "a right after the expiry of a deadline."
SPD MP Hakan Demir, on the other hand, defended the 2024 reform: "Anyone who has lived, worked and integrated here for more than five years should be able to be naturalized." He also pointed out that the dual citizenship option created by the reform would also benefit Germans who live abroad but do not want to lose their connection to their home country.
The Left and Green parliamentary groups criticized the government's move. Abolishing Naturalization would only lead to "excluding well-integrated people", said Filiz Polat. Yet "the reform of the citizenship law has led to more people committing to Germany." In view of the shortage of skilled workers, Naturalization after three years is not a gift, but an investment in the future.
Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) defended the draft law: "Naturalization should mark the end of a successful integration process - not its beginning." Naturalization after just three years could not meet this requirement.
When will the decision be made?
After the first reading on Friday , the bill was passed to the Committee on Internal Affairs for further discussion. However, there will be a further debate in the Bundestag before the final decision is made.
It is currently unclear when this will take place and whether it - and therefore the decision - will be made before the parliamentary summer break, as has long been expected. The last week of consultations before the summer break will take place between 7 July and 11 July. At the moment, however, a further debate on the end of Naturalization is not (yet) on the agenda.
This could be an indication that the deliberations in the Committee on Internal Affairs are scheduled until the end of the summer break. In this case, a decision would be made after the summer break at the earliest - i.e. from 8 September. Naturalization remains possible until then.
Conclusion: Is it still possible to apply for Naturalization naturalization?
The simple answer is: Yes, the application for Naturalization can be submitted until the new law comes into force. As long as the new law is not in force, the old legislation applies.
And it says: Anyone who shows special integration achievements, speaks German at C1 level, has lived in Germany for at least three years and meets all other requirements can apply for Naturalization .
But beware: it is still unclear whether the new law could apply retroactively. This means that it is currently unclear whether ongoing procedures that have not been completed by the time the law comes into force may be subsequently rejected or stopped. The Committee on Internal Affairs must now discuss whether there will be a transitional arrangement for this (and what this will look like).
