Response to fraud involving language certificates
The background to the law is a series of fraud cases involving forged language and integration certificates that came to light in late summer 2025. Investigations by the media portals RTL and Stern revealed that providers were posing as language schools on TikTok and Instagram and selling fake language certificates from A1 to C2 as well as certificates for the "Living in Germany" test – often for several hundred to 1,500 euros.
With the new regulation, the federal government wants to respond to these cases and make it clear that anyone who manipulates the naturalization process or deceives the authorities will face significantly stricter consequences in the future.
German Bundestag passes several laws on Naturalization deportation
Today's decision is part of a larger reform package. In addition to the ten-year ban for deception in the naturalization process, it also provides for changes in the classification of safe countries of origin and the right to a court-appointed lawyer in deportation proceedings.
The draft was finally debated and passed in the Bundestag today (December 5). The majority of the CDU/CSU and SPD, as well as the AfD, voted in favor of the new law—against the votes of the Greens and the Left Party.
The new regulations have thus been officially adopted. They will come into force as soon as they have been published in the Federal Law Gazette. It is currently unclear exactly when this will happen. As a rule, it can take up to several weeks.
New law: Ten-year ban on Naturalization
The law stipulates that a person may be excluded from Naturalization Germany for ten years if
- Naturalization that has already taken place is revoked Naturalization false information or deception,
- the authority determines during the ongoing proceedings that a person is fraudulently deceiving, threatening, or bribing,
- false or incomplete information was provided regarding essential naturalization requirements.
This means that anyone who Naturalization during the Naturalization —whether with forged certificates, documents, or false or incomplete information—can be Naturalization from Naturalization for ten years. This also applies if the fraud is discovered retrospectively and the German passport is revoked.
This is not just a response by lawmakers to serious cases of fraud such as forged documents or bribery. The regulation also explicitly covers incomplete information —for example, regarding identity, residence permits, criminal records, income, or language skills. This is the first time the federal government has sent a clear signal against deliberate misrepresentation.
The law is underpinned by Section 35 of the StAG. This section stipulates that Naturalization may beNaturalization if it was obtained through deception, threats, bribery, or deliberately false or incomplete information. Naturalization be revoked up to ten years after it was granted.
It is still unclear whether the new law distinguishes between deliberate deception, error, and mere carelessness. The full text of the law has not yet been published. It therefore remains unclear whether accidental misrepresentation can also lead to an equally long suspension.
Criticism of the scope and pace of change
The reform has been met with significant criticism, primarily because of the way in which it was introduced. The Green Party has criticized the fact that the new regulation was only included in the draft bill two days before the final vote. Filiz Polat described this approach as "inappropriate" and emphasized that such an important change to nationality law requires thorough parliamentary debate. Instead, the tightening of the law is being attached to another legislative package.
In addition, the Greens doubt whether the ten-year blocking period is compatible with the Basic Law. Such a long restriction period is a very serious encroachment and could be disproportionate. They are particularly critical of the fact that even incomplete information could be sufficient to trigger the full restriction period —regardless of whether someone has provided false information intentionally or accidentally. This raises important questions about fairness, appropriateness, and reliable application in individual cases.
Classification of safe countries of origin to be decided without the Senate in future
In addition to the waiting period for Naturalization , the law Naturalization further asylum and migration policy regulations. In future, the federal government will be able to determine on its own which third countries are considered "safe countries of origin. " Until now, this required the approval of both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
The classification has a major impact on asylum seekers: those who come from a "safe country of origin" generally have little chance of being granted asylum in Germany. Applications are usually processed quickly and often rejected as "manifestly unfounded."
The list of safe countries of origin currently includes 37 countries, including all EU member states as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ghana, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Senegal, and Serbia. With the new law, the German government plans to classify additional countries as safe, including Algeria, India, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, and Tunisia.
Abolition of mandatory legal representation in deportation detention
Another part of the reform concerns detention pending deportation. The obligation introduced in 2024 to automatically provide those affected with a state-funded lawyer will be abolished again.
The measure was originally intended to improve legal protection; however, with the current amendment to the law, the legislature is distancing itself from this idea—a step that is being criticized by professional associations.
Conclusion
With the new ten-year waiting period, the federal government is sending a clear signal against fraud in the naturalization process. The legislature is thus responding to cases of forged language and integration certificates that have become public and wants to strengthen the integrity of the naturalization process.
At the same time, it remains unclear how strictly the regulation will be applied in individual cases —in particular, whether inadvertent misstatements can also lead to a long suspension.
The reform package also includes changes to the classification of safe countries of origin and to the legal protection of persons in detention pending deportation. These measures expand the scope of action available to the federal government and alter several areas of migration and asylum law. The specific impact of the new regulations will now depend on their implementation by authorities and courts.
