The German Parliament has abolished the rule that allowed “exceptionally well-integrated” foreigners to obtain citizenship in just three years instead of five.
“German citizenship should be a recognition of successful integration — not an incentive for illegal migration,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt in the Bundestag.

The so-called “turbo naturalisation” (Turbo-Einbürgerung in German) was the informal name for the fast-track citizenship procedure introduced by the new Citizenship Law, which came into effect on June 27, 2024. That reform also approved two major changes: the legalization of dual citizenship and the reduction of the general naturalization period from eight to five years.

Out of a record 300,000 naturalisations in 2024, only a few hundred were granted under the accelerated procedure. The program was designed to attract highly qualified specialists and talented professionals willing to build their lives in Germany, which continues to face a severe labor shortage.

Applicants under this scheme had to demonstrate an advanced level of German language proficiency (C1), participation in volunteer or community projects, and notable professional or academic achievements.

In recent months, however, public sentiment toward migration has shifted: the growing number of migrants has placed additional pressure on social services — one of the key reasons behind the program’s cancellation.

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