What is behind Naturalization naturalization?
Turbo Naturalization came into force in June 2024 as part of the reform of the Citizenship Act. The law enables particularly well-integrated migrants toapply for German citizenship after just three years - instead ofthe usual five.
The requirements are:
- German language skills at level C1
- At least three years of legal residence in Germany
- Proof of special integration achievements (e.g. voluntary work)
- Fulfillment of all other regular requirements (e.g. secure livelihood, no criminal offenses, integration test, proof of identity, commitment to the free and democratic basic order)
Why should Naturalization be abolished after three years?
Naturalization was introduced under the government of Olaf Scholz (SPD). In the coalition agreement of the new federal government, which has been in office since March 2025, the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed on numerous changes to asylum and migration law.
This also includes the two-year suspension of family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (the law came into force on 24 July 2025). But also the abolition of Naturalization after three years.
The draft law justifies the decision by stating that more time than three years is needed for successful and sustainable integration into German society. It literally states:
"Sustainable integration into local living conditions takes time. The five-year period of prior residence that is generally required for naturalization takes sufficient account of this."
This means that the shortened naturalization period after three years is to be abolished. Naturalization after five years will remain in place - as will the option of dual citizenship.
Despite record year: hardly anyone took advantage of Naturalization naturalization
In 2024, the number of naturalizations in Germany reached a record high: 291,955 people received a German passport - an increase of 46% compared to the previous year and the highest figure since the survey began in 2000.
This increase is probably mainly due to the reforms in nationality law, which made Naturalization easier in some places. Nevertheless, the option of Naturalization naturalization was rarely used.
Berlin reported by far the most cases (382), followed by Bavaria with 78. Rhineland-Palatinate registered 20 such naturalizations, Baden-Württemberg 16, Hesse and Lower Saxony four each, Hamburg five, Thuringia "less than three", Brandenburg one and Bremen none. Only isolated cases were also reported from Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
When will the law be passed? And when will it come into force?
The Bundestag debated the law for the first time on June 27, 2025. It is currently being discussed by the committees. The Bundesrat has already approved it. It is generally expected that the law will be passed by the Bundestag in early or mid-September.
For your information: The first session week after the summer break begins on September 8, with thefirst meeting scheduled for September 10. However, the draft bill is not yet on the agenda. A decision is therefore not expected until the second week of the session on September 15 at the earliest.
After the final vote, the law comes into force as soon as it is published in the Federal Law Gazette. Experience has shown that this can take a few days or even several weeks.
How likely is it to be abolished?
A simple majority in the Bundestag is required to pass the law. This means that there must be more yes votes than no votes among all MPs present. Abstentions do not count.
Our assessment: It is very likely that the law will be adopted by a majority and Naturalization will be abolished.
The CDU/CSU (208 seats) and AfD (151 seats) have already signaled their approval. The SPD (120 seats) is also likely to approve the draft. In contrast, Die Linke (64 seats) and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (85 seats) are against the abolition.
What happens to applications that have already been submitted?
As long as the current legal situation applies, applications can continue to be submitted according to the three-year rule. But what happens if the law changes while an application is being processed?
Thatdepends on whether a transitional arrangement is provided for in the law-thereare currentlythreepossibilities:
- Decision before the law comes into force: If an application is finally processed before the deadline, the previous legal situation applies. This means that Naturalization can take place in accordance with the three-year rule - even if a new regulation comes into force shortly afterwards.
- Decision after entry into force - with transitional provision: The legislator could stipulate in the law that applications submitted before the entry into force will continue to be examined according to the old rule. In this case, ongoing proceedings would not be affected by the change in the law.
- Decision after entry into force - without transitional provision: If the law does not contain a transitional provision, the new legal situation applies from the date of entry into force. Current applications will then be rejected if the applicant has lived in Germany for less than five years - even if they meet all the requirements of the previous three-year rule.
Will there be a transitional arrangement?
Now to what is probably the most important question for all those who have already submitted their naturalization application or want to do so before the law is amended: Will the law have any impact on ongoing procedures? Will there be a transitional arrangement?
This is currently unclear. The current draft bill does not contain any transitional provisions. If it is passed in this form, current applications would also be assessed according to the new legal situation - and therefore possibly rejected.
However, in the first debate in the Bundestag, representatives of the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens called for an interim solution to be created. Whether and in what form this will happen is currently being discussed in the committees.
What was it like in the past?
In the coalition agreement, the current federal government has agreed on several tightening measures in asylum and migration law. One example is the suspension of family reunification for persons entitled to subsidiary protection.
In this case, for example, the law did not provide for any transitional arrangements. This meansthat procedures for family reunification that were already underway were alsosuspended for the next two years.
Whether it will be similar in the case of Naturalization naturalization will become clear in September at the latest.
Conclusion: What can applicants do now?
In the current situation, the so-called Lawsuit for failure of act (Section 75 VwGO) can be an important tool. The Lawsuit for failure of act is used if an authority does not decide on an application within three months - and there is no sufficient reason for this.
It does not force the authorities to make a positive decision, but at least to take action. This increases the chances that the naturalization application will still be decided according to the old law.
Our tip:
- Submit the application for (turbo)Naturalization quickly and completely if the requirements are met.
- Submit missing documents immediately.
- If the waiting time exceeds three months, consider a Lawsuit for failure of act - ideally with the support of a lawyer.
- Follow the legislative process closely - especially with regard to possible transitional regulations.
