The reform is the result of a proposal by the federal government made up of the CDU/CSU and SPD. It argues that sustainable integration requires more time. Even with excellent integration performance, three years is not enough to integrate permanently into German society.
Other key elements of the 2024 citizenship reform - such as the general possibility of Naturalization after five years and the admission of dual citizenship - remain unaffected.
When will the law come into force?
Following the first reading, the bill to abolish Naturalization was referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs for further discussion. However, a decision in the Bundestag could still be made before the summer break in 2025.
If the law is passed by a majority of MPs, it will enter into force as soon as it has been published in the Federal Law Gazette: The exact date of entry into force is specified in the law itself. In the absence of an explicit provision, the general deadline applies: the law then enters into force on the 14th day after promulgation.
The Left Party calls for Naturalization to be made easier
Another topic at Friday's meeting was a motion by the left-wing parliamentary group. In it, the parliamentary group calls for the requirement for independent means of subsistence as a condition for Naturalization to be removed from citizenship law. In addition, there should be a legally defined exception for certain groups of people - such as people with disabilities, family carers or parents working part-time.
If the proposal were implemented, people who receive citizens' income or other social benefits could also be naturalized in the future - provided they meet all other naturalization requirements.
The motion was also referred to the Committee on Internal Affairs for further discussion.
