Germany Stops 3-Year Fast-Track Citizenship Route For Immigrants

Germany has stopped the fast-track citizenship program that let some immigrants become citizens in just 3 years. This program was for people who showed they had become a strong part of German society. They could apply for citizenship after living in Germany for 36 months. The new government made this change as part of a bigger plan.

This change has a big impact on immigration and integration policies. By ending the faster path to citizenship, Germany is going back to stricter rules. Lawmakers say this will help check if someone is truly committed to living in Germany and following its values. It also shows that more politicians now agree on making it harder to get citizenship.

This change directly affects well-integrated immigrants who were trying or planning to become German citizens under the old rule.

Background of the 3-Year Fast-Track Citizenship Route

The 3-year fast-track citizenship rule was created by Germany’s previous government, led by the SPD-Green-FDP coalition. It was part of a bigger plan to update immigration and citizenship laws. The goal was to promote inclusion, support integration, and recognize the value immigrants bring to German society.

The fast-track rule was meant to reward immigrants who quickly became a strong part of German society. It recognized people who adapted well to life in Germany and made a real difference in their communities. The idea was that earning citizenship should be based on effort and contribution, not just how long someone had lived in the country.

To qualify for the fast-track rule, applicants had to meet strict requirements. They needed to speak German at an advanced level (C1) and show they were active in their community. This could be through education, steady work, volunteering, or other ways of helping out. These rules made sure only people who were truly part of German society could use the faster path to citizenship.

Reason for the Policy Withdrawal

Germany decided to end the 3-year fast-track citizenship rule after ongoing criticism, mainly from conservative politicians. Leaders from the CDU and CSU called it “turbo naturalization.” They said the short timeline didn’t give enough time to properly judge if someone was truly integrated or committed to German values.

A main concern was that three years was too short for true integration. Critics said people need more time to fully understand and adapt to Germany’s culture, laws, and way of life. They doubted whether such a short period could show whether someone was ready for citizenship. In their view, the fast-track rule focused too much on short-term effort and not enough on long-term adjustment, which could weaken the naturalization process.

The decision to end the fast-track rule came from an agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD. Even though the SPD helped create the policy before, the new government decided to take a more careful approach. All three parties agreed to remove the fast-track option as part of a larger deal on immigration changes.

Replacement and Current Citizenship Pathways

After ending the 3-year fast-track rule, Germany still offers a 5-year path to citizenship as the standard option. This policy, introduced in 2024, is a key part of the country’s new immigration and integration plan. It tries to balance making citizenship more accessible while still requiring long-term adjustment and commitment.

Under this 5-year pathway, applicants must have lived legally in Germany for five years without breaks. They also need to show B1-level German skills. This means they can speak and understand German well enough for daily life and to take part in their communities.

Besides speaking German, applicants must also show they are well integrated into society. This can include having a steady job, doing well in school, or taking part in community or volunteer work. The process focuses on showing a long-term commitment to Germany and support for its democratic values.

The 5-year citizenship route is seen as a fair and modern option. It reduces the old 8-year wait but still keeps important rules for integration. 

Dual Citizenship Policy

Germany’s dual citizenship rule, updated in 2024, has not changed even though the fast-track rule was removed. Non-EU citizens can still keep their original citizenship when they become German. This is a big change from the old law, which usually made non-EU immigrants give up their first nationality to become German.

The 2024 reform removed old limits and made dual citizenship available to more immigrants. Before this change, only a few people in special situations could keep two nationalities. The new rule shows a more open and modern view of identity, recognizing that many people have strong connections to more than one country.

This change is especially important for communities in Germany with large diasporas, like the Turkish population. For many years, people in these groups had to choose between becoming German or keeping their original citizenship. Now that they can keep both, many see it as a positive move that supports both integration and cultural identity.

No Revocation of Citizenship for Dual Citizens

As part of its overall immigration and citizenship plan, the German government has decided not to take away citizenship from people who hold dual nationality. This choice came after debates within the ruling parties, especially about how to handle citizens involved in extremist or anti-democratic actions.

The CDU and CSU wanted tougher rules, including taking away German citizenship from dual nationals who support terrorism, antisemitism, or other extremist ideas. Their goal was to strengthen national security and show that Germany does not accept any form of radicalism.

However, the SPD strongly disagreed with these proposals. They said that once someone becomes a citizen, their citizenship should be protected and not taken away because of political or ideological reasons. They also warned that such rules could create unfair treatment between naturalized citizens and those born in Germany.

Reactions and Implications

Ending the 3-year fast-track citizenship rule has received mixed reactions. The government says it’s a step toward a more balanced and lasting way to help immigrants integrate. But many immigrant communities, human rights groups, and political experts have shared their disappointment and worry about the change.

Many immigrants who planned to use the fast-track pathway see the change as a setback. Some had spent time and effort learning advanced German, doing community work, and growing their careers just to qualify. Now, they must wait longer. For them, the change brings doubts about how fair and reliable Germany’s citizenship process is.

Human rights groups have also raised concerns. Some say removing the policy might discourage immigrants from working hard to integrate, since the rules have changed. They point out that the 3-year pathway rewarded those who showed strong commitment early on, and ending it could reduce the motivation to integrate quickly.

The social effects of these changes are mixed. On one hand, keeping dual citizenship and setting clear rules for the 5-year path show that Germany still supports a multicultural society. On the other hand, ending the fast-track option shows a more cautious and uniform way of deciding who can become a citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Germany cancel the 3-year fast-track route?

The route faced strong criticism from conservative parties, particularly the CDU and CSU, who considered it too lenient and referred to it as “turbo naturalization.”

What is the current path to German citizenship?

The main route to naturalization requires five years of legal residence in Germany, B1-level German language skills, and proof of social integration through employment, education, or community participation.

Can non-EU citizens still keep their original citizenship when becoming German?

Yes. The dual citizenship reform introduced in 2024 allows non-EU citizens to retain their original nationality when acquiring German citizenship. 

Will dual citizens lose their German nationality if involved in extremist activities?

No. The current policy does not permit revoking citizenship from dual nationals, even in cases involving anti-democratic or extremist behavior.

Conclusion

Germany’s decision to end the 3-year fast-track citizenship option marks a big change in its citizenship rules. It directly affects well-integrated immigrants who had planned to become citizens faster by showing strong language skills and active roles in society. Now, they must follow the regular 5-year process, which is the main way to become a citizen in Germany.