Hesse calls for stricter requirements for German passports
From December 3 to 5, the interior ministers of the federal states and Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) will meet in Bremen for a session of the Conference of Interior Ministers (IMK). Within this framework, Hesse's Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) has presented several proposals that would makeNaturalization more difficult.
The central demand is that refugees with subsidiary protection Naturalization from Naturalization as a matter of principle. He also advocates raising the language level required for Naturalization B1 to B2 and tightening the de minimis limit for criminal offenses.
What exactly is Roman Poseck calling for?
No Naturalization persons with subsidiary protection
The Hessian Minister of the Interior justifies the proposal by stating that subsidiary protection was "intended as a temporary solutionfrom the outset "and was only intended to protect against acute dangers such as torture or the death penalty in the country of origin. In his view, Naturalization not Naturalization with this nature of protection.
Poseck refers in particular to Syrians, who often only have temporary protection status in Germany. According to Poseck, this status must be reassessed once the civil war has ended. In the long term, regular repatriations of persons required to leave the country to Syria are also conceivable.
To prevent subsidiary protection from "losing its true character," Poseck calls for a review and amendment of the Nationality Act. According to Poseck, the goal must be Naturalization in the future if a person has subsidiary protection.
According to the Minister of the Interior, these initiatives are intended to prevent subsidiary protection from gradually becoming a permanent right of residence.
Higher language level for Naturalization: From B1 to B2
Poseck also demands that Naturalization should only be possible Naturalization with German language skills at level B2. According to Poseck, the current requirements at level B1 are not sufficient to guarantee the principle of "Naturalization at the end of a successful integration process."
He is particularly critical of the exemptions introduced in 2024, which allow certain groups to become naturalized despite having limited language skills. According to Poseck, these exemptions should be completely abolished.
Stricter requirements for securing a livelihood
The Hessian Minister of the Interior also wants to tighten up economic integration. Being able to support oneself independently —without social benefits—must remain a mandatory requirement for Naturalization.
Even in cases of hardship, it must be examined even more strictly whether those affected can secure their own livelihood and that of their dependents in the long term without social benefits.
Criminal offenses: Removal of minor offense thresholds
Another proposal concerns the handling of criminal convictions in the naturalization process. Until now, minor penalties—i.e., fines of up to 90 daily rates or suspended prison sentences of up to three months —have had no impact on Naturalization.
The Minister of the Interior of Hesse wants to completely abolish these minor offense thresholds. "Anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offense has shown that they do not fully respect the legal system," argues Poseck. In his view, even minor offenses could lead to exclusion from Naturalization in the future.
Criticism of turboNaturalization
The interior minister also criticizes the so-calledNaturalization, which was introduced by the former traffic light coalition government but has since been abolished. The regulation had made it possible for particularly well-integrated individuals to become naturalized after only three years of legal residence in Germany.
Poseck believes that the former government sent theNaturalization signals with itsNaturalization . He welcomes the fact that the new federal government has reversed this policy.
Naturalization : What are the requirements?
Important: At present, the initiative of the Hessian Minister of the Interior consists merely of proposals that are to be discussed at the conference. Actual implementation would require amendments to the Nationality Act, which would have to be approved by both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Regardless of Poseck's demands, there are currently no plans at the federal level Naturalization tighten the general requirements for Naturalization . In the coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD merely agreed to abolish theNaturalization introduced in 2024Naturalization particularly well-integrated individuals. This change came into effect at the end of October 2025.
This means that the regular requirements under Section 10 of the Nationality Act apply uniformly once again. Anyone who wishes to be naturalized must meet the following requirements:
- At least five years of lawful and habitual residence in Germany
- a Residence permit Naturalization for Naturalization
- verified identity and nationality
- secure livelihood without receiving social benefits
- German language skills at level B1
- Knowledge of the legal and social order as well as living conditions in Germany ("Living in Germany" test)
- Commitment to the free and democratic basic order
- No serious criminal offenses (the minor offense limits of up to 90 daily fines continue to apply)
People with subsidiary protection can also still be naturalized if they meet the requirements. Their Residence permit Section 25 (2) sentence 2 of the Residence Act) is valid—unlike a Tolerance permit or a residence permit, is considered legal residence and is therefore fully counted toward the required five years.
Important: For beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, the time spent in the asylum procedure—i.e., the time between the asylum application and the decision by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)—also counts toward the five-year period for Naturalization.
Conclusion
The demands from Hesse show how intensively the requirements for German citizenship are currently being discussed. However, these are still only ideas within the Conference of Interior Ministers, with no immediate legal consequences.
The current naturalization rules remain unchanged, including the possibility for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection to apply for a German passport after five years of legal residence. It is uncertain whether Hesse's demands will trigger a broader political debate or lead to concrete changes in the law.
