End of Naturalization naturalization planned
Since June 2024, particularly well-integrated people have been able to apply for German citizenship after just three years of residence - instead of the usual five years. Prerequisites include German language skills at C1 level, proof of special integration achievements and a secure livelihood.
The CDU/CSU and SPD government now wants to abolish this regulation. Reason: Three years is too short to ensure sustainable integration. Naturalization after five years remains possible, as does dual citizenship.
When will the decision be made?
Consultations on the amendment to the law began on June 27, 2025 and the draft is currently before the Committee on Internal Affairs. It is not yet clear when a final decision will be made. The bill is not yet on the agenda, at least not in the first week of the session.
However, as this is one of the most important decisions of the current legislative period, a decision can be expected soon. Probably in the second week of the session, from September 15, 2025.
It is very likely that the majority of MPs will vote in favour of abolishing Naturalization - with the exception of Die Linke and the Greens. If approved, the law will come into force after publication in the Federal Law Gazette.
What does this mean for current applications?
As long as the current regulation applies, applications can still be submitted in accordance with the three-year rule. But what happens if the law comes into force while an application is being processed?
This depends on whether the new law provides for a transitional arrangement. In principle, three scenarios are conceivable:
- Processing before entry into force: If an application is completed before the new law comes into force, the previous legal situation applies. Naturalization can therefore still take place according to the three-year rule - even if new provisions come into force shortly afterwards.
- Processing after entry into force - with transitional arrangements: The law could stipulate that applications submitted before entry into force will continue to be examined according to the old rule. Ongoing procedures would therefore not be affected by the reform.
- Processing after entry into force - without transitional arrangements: If there are no transitional arrangements, the new legal situation comes into force immediately. In this case, applications will be rejected if the applicant has lived in Germany for less than five years, even if the previous requirements are met.
Is there a transitional arrangement?
This is still unclear. The current draft does not provide for any transitional arrangements. If it is adopted, current applications would also be examined according to the new legal situation - which would result in rejection in some cases.
However, in the first debate in the Bundestag, MPs from the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens called for an interim solution to be created. Whether there will be one and what it will look like will be discussed this week in the Committee on Internal Affairs.
Safe countries of origin: Classification without the Bundestag?
A further bill proposed by the CDU/CSU and SPD provides for the Federal Government to be able to independently classify countries as safe countries of origin in future - without the approval of the Bundestag or Bundesrat. This could affect countries such as Algeria, India, Morocco or Tunisia.
For asylum seekers from these countries, this means fewer chances of protection, accelerated procedures and faster deportations.
In addition, the current obligation to be represented by a lawyer in cases of detention pending deportation and custody to leave the country could be dropped.
How have countries been classified as "safe" so far?
According to Section 29a of the Asylum Act (AsylG), the Federal Government is obliged to regularly review whether the countries classified as safe continue to meet the criteria for safe countries of origin.
If the situation in one of these countries deteriorates - for example due to political unrest or human rights violations - the Federal Government can remove the country from the list by statutory order. This does not require the approval of the Bundestag or Bundesrat.
So while the federal government can remove countries from the list of safe countries of origin, it cannot independently classify any new countries as safe. They require the approval of the Bundestag and Bundesrat. This regulation is now to be changed with the planned law.
When will the decision be made?
The Bundestag debated the bill for the first time on 10 July 2025 and referred it to the relevant committees for consultation. As with Naturalization , it is not yet publicly known when the final vote will take place. Here, too, the second week of the session from 15 September is considered likely.
Naturalization despite citizen's income - Left Party motion
The parliamentary group Die Linke is also calling for a reform of citizenship law: instead of abolishing Naturalization naturalization, they want Naturalization to no longer be dependent on income in future.
This means that people who receive citizens' income or other social benefits could be naturalized if they meet all other requirements.
People whose receipt of benefits is not their own fault are particularly affected: for example, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, family carers, part-time parents, students and trainees.
The party is also calling for faster naturalization procedures, better staffing of the authorities and uniform administrative standards throughout Germany.
However, the chances of implementation are slim: the governing parties are currently planning to tighten up asylum and migration law. The motion will be dealt with and decided in connection with the abolition of Naturalization .
AfD motion: stop taking in Syrians?
Shortly before the start of the summer break, the AfD announced a proposal to tighten asylum regulations for migrants from Syria. Little is currently known about the content of the AfD proposal, as it has not yet been made public.
Just this much: the party is calling for a halt to the admission of people from Syria and an increased return to the country liberated from the Assad regime.
It is currently unclear when the motion will be debated in the Bundestag for the first time. It was originally on the agenda for Thursday (September 11). This has since been changed and the motion has (probably) been postponed to the coming weeks.
Instead, two further AfD motions are on the agenda for Thursday. The first concerns the demand to tighten border controls and turn back all asylum seekers. In the second motion, the AfD calls for an end to the admission of local Afghan forces. The motions will be debated in the Bundestag on Thursday at 10:10 and 18:55 respectively.
Conclusion
The first sessions after the summer break will begin on September 10, 2025. Decisions on the proposed legislation are expected to be made in the second week of the session starting on September 15.
For migrants, the situation remains uncertain - especially when it comes to Naturalization, Naturalization despite citizen benefits and the classification of safe countries of origin.
Our tip: Anyone who has submitted or would like to submit an application for Naturalization naturalization should follow developments closely and seek legal advice if necessary in order to increase their chances of obtaining a German passport.
