Eight years instead of five: CDU calls for longer minimum residence period
One of the CDU's most important demands concerns the minimum period of residence required for Naturalization. Under current law, Naturalization is Naturalization possible after five years of legal residence in Germany.
As several media outlets (including Welt and theHamburger Abendblatt) arenow reporting, delegates at the party conference voted to extend this period back to eight years. The motion states that five years is not enough, as during this time "many immigrants are not yet sufficiently integrated into German society."
This would mean that the CDU would be reversing a reform that only came into force in June 2024. At that time, the minimum residence period was reduced from eight to five years.
Stricter scrutiny of constitutional loyalty demanded
In addition to the longer waiting period, the CDU is also calling for stricter checks on so-called value orientation. Specifically, this means that before Naturalization , applicants Naturalization even more rigorous checks to ensure that they recognize the principles of the constitution and the core values of German society.
In particular, it should be examined whether those wishing to become naturalized agree with the following values:
- equality between women and men,
- Respect for fundamental rights, such as freedom of religion and protection of sexual identity.
- the clear rejection of anti-Semitism and racism,
- the acknowledgment of Germany's historical responsibility for the National Socialist regime of injustice
Migrants already have to declare Naturalization commitment to the free democratic basic order in order to Naturalization . However, the CDU wants this test to be even stricter and more binding in the future.
Young Union: Stricter requirements for German passports
The motion was drafted by the Junge Union (JU), the youth organization of the CDU, which had already formulated its own demands on Naturalization prior to the party conference. In some respects, these demands even go beyond the resolutions that have now been adopted.
Among other things, the Junge Union demanded:
- (also) a return to a minimum residence period of eight years and stricter assessment of values orientation
- raising the language level from B1 to B2 – without exceptions
- stricter requirements for a secure livelihood
- Periods spent in asylum proceedings or under subsidiary protection should no longer Naturalization toward the length of residence required for Naturalization
- Anyone who has entered Germany illegally should, in principle, be Naturalization from Naturalization .
Not all of these demands made by the Junge Union were adopted at the CDU party conference. However, the delegates agreed on a return to the eight-year residence requirement and stricter screening of values.
What does the decision mean for those wishing to become naturalized?
It is important to note that these decisions do not yet change the law. So far, they are only political proposals.
In order for the law to be changed, the CDU would have to submit a draft bill to the Bundestag and go through the parliamentary decision-making process: with consultations in the committees, debates in the Bundestag, and a vote. The Bundesrat would also be involved.
Only when the law is passed by a majority and promulgated would the requirements for Naturalization change.
It is also unclear whether there is majority support for such a law, particularly the return to a minimum residence period of eight years. The SPD, currently the CDU/CSU's coalition partner, helped to reduce the naturalization period from eight to five years in the previous government. It is therefore unlikely that it would agree to a further extension.
Alliance 90/The Greens and The Left Party also reject tightening up nationality law. Support for a return to the eight-year period would probably only come from the AfD.
The existing law continues to apply at present.
For those wishing to become naturalized, this means that the CDU has merely formulated a proposal. There is no draft bill yet. The previous requirements for Naturalization continue to apply :
- Five years of lawful residence with a residence permit Naturalization for Naturalization Residence permit
- German language skills at least at B1 level
- a passed naturalization test or a German school or vocational qualification
- an independent and permanently secure livelihood
- no serious crimes
- a commitment to the free democratic basic order
- a clear identity and nationality
- no other reasons that would Naturalization
Whether and when these rules will change is currently unclear. Anyone who wishes Naturalization or is already in the process can continue to follow the current law. However, it makes sense to keep an eye on political developments.
