The motion itself has not yet been made public. However, several media outlets have reported on its contents, including Handelsblatt in its Tuesday edition.
Who is the Young Union?
The Junge Union is the joint youth organization of the CDU and CSU. Young people between the ages of 14 and 35 can become members. This makes the JU the largest political youth organization in Germany. It sees itself as an independent political force within the CDU/CSU.
Formally, the Junge Union is part of its parent parties, the CDU/CSU. Nevertheless, it regularly submits its own motions and political positions, which do not always fully coincide with the line taken by the CDU and CSU.
Although the Junge Union does not decide on laws itself, its influence within the party is considered to be significant. Many of today's CDU/CSU politicians were themselves active in the JU in the past, which is why their demands are closely followed and taken seriously within the parties.
What exactly is the Junge Union calling for in its motion on Naturalization?
Eight years of residence instead of five for Naturalization again
Essentially, the Junge Union is calling for the regular minimum period of residence for Naturalization to be increased from five to eight years. The reasoning behind this is that German citizenship should be the culmination of a longer integration process. In the opinion of the JU, a residence period of only five years is not sufficient to ensure sustainable social integration.
Largely reverse the 2024 reform
Explanation: The reform of nationality law, which came into force in June 2024, has made it Naturalization easier to obtain Naturalization . The aim of the new regulations was to strengthen the social participation of people who have been living in Germany for many years.
A key point of the reform at that time was the reduction of the minimum length of residence required to obtain a German passport. Instead of eight years as previously, applicants now only need to have lived legally in Germany for five years.
In addition, the regulations on multiple citizenship have been relaxed. Since the new law came into force, dual citizenship has been possible. This means that those wishing to become naturalized may retain their previous citizenship and also acquire German citizenship, provided that their country of origin also allows multiple citizenship.
In addition, Naturalization was simplified Naturalization children and young people, as well as for members of the guest worker and contract worker generation. However, the biggest change was probably the introduction of Naturalization." This allowed particularly well-integrated individuals to become naturalized after just three years instead of five.
Part of this reform from 2024 has since been reversed. The current federal government, consisting of the CDU/CSU and SPD, abolishedNaturalization three years at the end of 2025. Since then, a uniform minimum residence period of five years has been in effect again.
These are precisely the points addressed by the Junge Union's demands. As reported by Handelsblatt, citing the motion, the CDU/CSU party's youth wing is calling for all rules adopted in 2024 to be reversed. In addition to the minimum residence requirement, dual citizenship would also be abolished and simplified Naturalization children and former guest workers would be reversed.
Stricter language requirements for German passports
In addition to a longer residence period for German passports, the Junge Union is also calling for significantly stricter language requirements. Currently, language level B1 is the minimum standard for regular Naturalization . However, there are exceptions, for example in cases of proven physical or mental illness or disability.
According to the JU's proposals, these exceptions should largely be abolished. In addition, the required language level should be raised from B1 to B2 across the board.
The reasoning behind this is that genuine integration cannot be achieved without a very good knowledge of German. While B1 is sufficient for simple everyday communication, B2 requires the ability to express oneself confidently and spontaneously – for example, in professional life, in training and studies, or in social interactions.
Stricter requirements for living expenses and integration
Even when it comes to secure livelihoods and knowledge of the legal, social, and value systems.
Under current law, applicants for naturalization must prove that they can support themselves without welfare or social benefits. Exceptions are only possible in very limited cases, such as when the applicant is receiving benefits through no fault of their own. Children and young people are not required to be able to support themselves independently.
According to the JU, these exceptions should be significantly restricted. In the opinion of the JU, German citizenship should only be granted to those who are financially independent.
In addition, the Junge Union is calling for stricter scrutiny of so-called value orientation. German citizenship should only be granted to those who actively recognize the fundamental values of the constitution. These include, in particular, gender equality, freedom of religion, and a clear rejection of anti-Semitism and racism. According to the JU, individuals who deny Israel's right to exist or reject equality should not be eligible for naturalization.
In the opinion of the Junge Union, Naturalization should be subject to Naturalization stricter controls to ensure that applicants understand and accept these principles. The aim is to make Naturalization a Naturalization commitment to the free democratic basic order.
No crediting of periods of asylum and subsidiary protection
Another point in the motion concerns the crediting of periods of residence for Naturalization. The Junge Union demands that periods spent in Germany during asylum proceedings or under subsidiary protection should no longer be Naturalization toward the period of residence required for Naturalization . In addition, Naturalization should be ruled out in cases of illegal entry.
The reasoning behind this is that closely linking humanitarian protection and subsequent citizenship sends the wrong signals and could act as an incentive for irregular migration.
The Junge Union also takes a critical view of the possibility of so-called lane changes. Lane changes enable certain asylum seekers with existing qualifications to switch from the asylum procedure to a regular Residence permit gainful employment. This regulation currently only applies to persons who have applied for asylum by March 29, 2024.
The Junge Union is calling for these options to be restricted again or completely reversed. In its view, access to citizenship should be granted through "modern and constructive immigration law" in the area of labor migration, not through asylum or subsidiary protection.
Conclusion: Can the Young Union push through its demands?
The demands of the Junge Union are aimed at significantly stricter naturalization laws. Longer residence periods, higher language requirements, and stricter guidelines regarding livelihood and integration would make it noticeably more difficult to obtain a German passport.
However, it is currently unlikely that this demand will be implemented. Although the Junge Union has political influence within the CDU/CSU, it does not have the power to decide on legislative changes itself.
Whether the demands will lead to changes depends on the stance of the CDU/CSU and the majority in the Bundestag. There are certainly voices within the Union who Naturalization a tougher line on Naturalization . At the same time, however, the CDU/CSU would also be opposing its coalition partner, the SPD, which played a key role in the reform of citizenship law in 2024.
In the short term, therefore, the following applies: Immediate implementation of all JU demands is highly unlikely. The current legal situation and the current requirements for Naturalization continue to apply. A change in the law, as demanded by the Junge Union, would also take a great deal of time.
