The reform to abolish Naturalization comes from the Ministry of the Interior under the leadership of Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). It is to be approved by the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
The aim is to get the law through the Bundestag and Bundesrat before the summer break on July 11.
What is Naturalization naturalization?
Naturalization naturalization came into force on 27 June 2024. It was part of the citizenship reform of the then traffic light government (SPD, FDP and Greens) and was aimed at people who have integrated themselves to a particularly high degree - for example through excellent language skills, professional achievements or voluntary work.
Under certain conditions, applicants can be granted citizenship after just three years of residence in Germany - instead of the usual five years.
The requirements for Naturalization naturalization include
- all requirements that allow Naturalization after five years
- legal residence in Germany for at least three years
- Language skills at least at level C1
- Special integration services
With this regulation, the coalition government wanted to reward integration more and counteract the shortage of skilled workers.
Why should Naturalization naturalization be abolished?
The new federal government of CDU/CSU and SPD has been in office since May 6, 2025. In the coalition agreement, the parties agreed to abolish Naturalization .
The reasoning: Three years is too short to ensure long-term integration.
This is also clear from the draft law, which is exclusively available to ZEIT ONLINE. It states that a "sufficiently long previous period of residence in Germany" is a "central integrative naturalization requirement".
The draft goes on to say: "A period of only three years is too short to integrate into the local living conditions in such a sustainable way that a legal entitlement to Naturalization should be granted on this basis."
Draft law meets with criticism
However, the planned abolition has been met with strong criticism, particularly from opposition parties. Green parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge warns: "The CDU and SPD want to make Naturalization more difficult again - for people who are highly qualified and integrate particularly well."
This would send a "fatal signal" to those wishing to immigrate and ultimately harm the German economy.
Will the citizenship reform be reversed?
This question can be answered with a clear "No!" at the present time. The other provisions of the citizenship reform continue to apply. This is also stated in the coalition agreement.
This means: Naturalization after five years of legal residence (instead of the previous eight years) and the possibility of dual citizenship remain in place.
Will Naturalization be abolished? Our assessment
On Wednesday, the bill will first be passed by the Federal Cabinet. It will then be negotiated in the Bundestag, the committees and the Bundesrat. The final decision is expected to be made before the summer break - at least that is the hope of Interior Minister Dobrindt.
We estimate: The abolition of Naturalization is very likely. The bill comes from the governing coalition. The CDU/CSU and SPD have a joint majority in the Bundestag. This in turn increases the chances that the law will be passed as planned.
Conclusion
Even with the abolition of Naturalization naturalization, all requirements (and benefits) of Naturalization after five years remain in place - including dual citizenship. For the majority of applicants, therefore, little is likely to change.
