The results from the committees are now available - and they make a clear recommendation to the Federal Council: Naturalization should not be abolished.
What is behind this decision?
Committee recommends: Do not abolish Naturalization after three years
On 11 July 2025, the German Bundesrat will discuss the law on the abolition of Naturalization after three years for the first time. The Committees for Home Affairs and for Labor, Integration and Social Policy have met in advance.
Both committees now clearly recommend that the Federal Council oppose the abolition of Naturalization . The recommendation states:
- Germany is dependent on immigration - especially on people who are actively involved in work and society
- Naturalization after three years is a valuable instrument for promoting integration and recruiting qualified specialists
- The Federal Council should reject the abolition of Naturalization , as this would remove an incentive for integration - especially among meritocratic and well-integrated migrants
- Instead of abolishing Naturalization , the Bundesrat should call on the Bundestag to better promote integration - for example through better funding of language and integration courses
The committees are also calling for Naturalization to be made easier for socially disadvantaged groups. Those who receive social benefits through no fault of their own (citizens' allowance, ALGII) should still be allowed to naturalize - e.g. single parents, students, family carers and people with disabilities.
What is the Federal Council - and how does it influence legislation?
The Bundesrat is one of the five constitutional bodies of the Federal Republic of Germany and represents the 16 federal states. Unlike the Bundestag, it is not directly elected by the people, but is made up of members of the state governments. It currently consists of 69 members.
The Federal Council is involved in legislation. However, its right to participate varies depending on the law.
- Approval law: In the case of approval laws, the Bundesrat must approve the law. Without consent, no law.
- Objection law: In the case of objection laws, the Bundesrat can object to a law if it does not agree with it. However, this objection can be overruled by the Bundestag.
Can the Federal Council prevent the abolition of Naturalization ?
No, the Federal Council has no direct right of co-determination in the case of Naturalization .
The law is an objection law. The Bundesrat can pass on its opinions and recommendations to the Bundestag (and raise objections if necessary), but it has no direct influence on the decision.
Whether or notNaturalization is abolished after three years is a matter for the Bundestag to decide.
When will a decision be made on the law?
It was long assumed that the decision would be made before the parliamentary summer break - i.e. by July 11, 2025 at the latest - but this now seems very unlikely.
As the Bundesrat will not deliberate until July 11 and the law is not currently on the agenda of the Bundestag's current week of deliberations, a decision is very likely to be made in September at the earliest after the summer break.
Conclusion: Can Naturalization Naturalization still be applied for?
Yes, an 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.
This means that anyone who can provide evidence of special integration achievements, speaks German at C1 level, has lived in Germany for at least three years and meets all other requirements for Naturalization can apply for Naturalization naturalization.
But beware: it is still unclear whether ongoing procedures that have not been completed by the time the law comes into force will be subsequently rejected or stopped. It is still unclear whether there will be a transitional arrangement and what this will look like.
