Germany’s incoming coalition government plans to abolish the fast-track citizenship pathway introduced last year, extending the required residency period to five years. The new coalition—formed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD)—argues the previous three-year option allowed insufficient time for integration.
The fast-track route, introduced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration, enabled well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after three years if they met advanced language (C1), employment, and educational criteria. Under the revised policy, migrants can still apply for citizenship after five years, provided they meet integration standards and attain intermediate German proficiency (B1).
Dual nationality will remain allowed. The decision marks a shift in Germany’s immigration and integration approach, as the new coalition emphasizes longer-term integration. The rollback could impact thousands of migrants, including Afghans and Syrians, who had used the fast-track option as a path toward stability and workforce inclusion.
