German parliament sets date for vote on future of three-year citizenship path

Members of the German parliament will hold a half-hour debate and then decide on the coalition government's proposed amendment to the nationality act on Wednesday October 8th. The debate is expected to start at 4.30pm. 

At the moment, foreign residents can apply for citizenship after just three years of living in Germany if they demonstrate exceptional integration, which includes proving C1-level German language skills and having other "special achievements" such as volunteering. 

Under the changes put forward by the coalition, made up of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), its Bavarian sister party the CSU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), this option will be scrapped.

Naturalisation would then only be possible via the standard route of five years of residence, B1-level German and being able to support yourself financially.

READ ALSO: CHECKLIST - What do I need to apply for German citizenship?

The amendment is expected to get a majority of votes in the Bundestag. 

Another motion from the Left Party (Die Linke), aimed at enabling naturalisation regardless of income will also be voted on but is not expected to pass. 

Why is the three-year citizenship path being axed?

Some politicians in Germany – mainly from right-leaning parties – say that the fast-track path to citizenship (in this case: three years of legal residence) does not result in sufficient integration to German society. 

The three-year track for naturalisation was introduced in June 2024 as part of a huge reform of Germany's citizenship rules, which also included allowing dual citizenship for all, and lowering the residence requirement for the standard citizenship route from eight years to five. 

Ahead of the snap election in February 2025, the CDU and CSU campaigned heavily to reverse all of these reforms. 

However, a comprise was struck between the CDU and SPD coalition partners to move forward with abolishing the three-year track to naturalisation. Everything else remains the same. 

The draft law that Bundestag members are voting on states that "a sufficiently long period of prior residence in Germany is an essential requirement for naturalisation, which is intended to ensure sustainable integration into life in Germany".

It adds: "So-called 'turbo naturalisation' does not meet this requirement."

The draft law says that the "option of naturalisation after three years, which was created as part of the recent reform of nationality law, is to be abolished and, in future, a prior residence period of at least five years is to be applied as a general rule".

Decision won't affect many – but is symbolic 

Very few foreigners qualify to become German via the three-year route because the requirements, like fluent German language skills, are so steep.

READ MORE: 'Turbo-German studying' - an American in Berlin on the race to qualify for three-year citizenship

Scrapping the rule therefore appears to be more symbolic. It also comes at a time of growing anti-immigration rhetoric in Germany.

Experts believe getting rid of fast-track citizenship sends the wrong message, and could have a negative effect on the country's efforts to attract skilled workers from abroad.

It is still unclear whether there will be a transition period in the likely case of the three-year path to citizenship being shelved. SPD MP Hakan Demir recently told The Local he was in favour of a "fair transition period" for those who had already submitted their application before the law changes. 

Demir said: "The effects on people awaiting a decision on their current application fully depend on the transition period. If the law is passed without a transition period, the respective local authorities must decide based on the new law."

The Local has reached out to Demir for further clarification regarding the recent news. 

After going through the Bundestag, there will be a vote on the draft law in the Bundesrat, which represents German states. 

READ ALSO: Will there be a transition period after Germany's fast-track citizenship is axed?

What is the citizenship motion from The Left?

The Left Party parliamentary group wants to see naturalisation made possible regardless of the income of those applying.

In its motion, the parliamentary group calls on the government to submit a draft bill to this effect. At the same time, the party is urging the government to support German states in ensuring speedy naturalisation procedures.

According to the draft, the citizenship reforms got rid of a provision whereby naturalisation could take place if those affected were “not responsible” for receiving social benefits.

Since the amendment to the law, this exemption only applies to the so-called guest worker generation and GDR contract workers as well as to full-time workers who have to claim supplementary social benefits.

READ ALSO: Which social benefits exclude you from German citizenship?

This means that many disabled people, chronically ill people, caregivers, people receiving old-age benefits and even single parents who do not work full-time because they are caring for a child could miss out on getting German citizenship, the Left Party says. 

It argues this is incompatible with the principle of equal treatment as detailed under Germany's Basic Law or Grundgesetz.