Germany has scrapped its three-year fast-track citizenship program for foreign residents, ending a policy once designed to reward rapid integration and attract global talents.
The decision, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, extends the minimum naturalization period to five years for all applicants, signaling a firmer stance on immigration after months of rising political tension over migration and integration.
Officials said the move comes amid growing public unease across Europe about the strain migration places on housing, education, and social services. While Germany remains open to new citizens, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told lawmakers that citizenship must “come as recognition of successful integration, not as an incentive for illegal immigration.”
The fast-track scheme, introduced under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, allowed well-integrated foreign residents to apply for citizenship after three years if they demonstrated exceptional German language proficiency, civic engagement, or strong professional or academic achievement. However, the program was rarely used. Of roughly 300,000 naturalizations recorded in 2024, only a few hundred took place through the accelerated route.
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Supporters of the Merz government argue that abolishing the fast-track system simply streamlines an underused policy. “Its removal doesn’t change the essence of the citizenship law,” one coalition lawmaker said, insisting that Germany’s naturalization framework remains fair and balanced.
Critics, however, warn that tightening access could undermine Germany’s global competitiveness. “Germany is competing for the best minds in the world,” said Filiz Polat, a member of parliament. “If those people choose Germany, we should do everything possible to keep them.”
The policy reversal comes as demographic pressures mount. Germany’s ageing population and persistent labor shortages, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and construction, have forced policymakers to balance tighter border control with the need for skilled migration.
Under the revised rules, all applicants must now follow the five-year route to citizenship, provided they meet integration and language requirements. Those who do not may face an eight-year wait. Dual citizenship remains permitted, and other reforms from the Scholz era—such as simplified application procedures—will continue.
While the new approach reflects a growing consensus for stricter immigration oversight, it also underscores Germany’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its economic dependence on foreign workers with shifting political attitudes toward migration and national identity.
