Bundestag passes abolition of turbo naturalization

Abolition of “turbo naturalization”: Bundestag reverses reform of citizenship law

On October 8, 2025, the Bundestag voted by a large majority in a roll-call vote to abolish the so-called "turbo naturalization" process. This abolishes the option of naturalization after just three years of residence in Germany, which was only introduced in 2024. In the future, naturalization will generally only be possible after at least five years of legal residence in the federal territory.

Background: Return to the longer previous stay

With the reform of citizenship law in March 2024, the German government's original goal was to facilitate and accelerate naturalization. The amendment at the time reduced the general minimum residence period from eight to five years and provided for an additional reduction to three years for exceptional integration achievements—for example, German language skills at C1 level and a secure livelihood.

This "turbo naturalization" was intended to reward outstanding integration efforts and make Germany more attractive to skilled workers and long-term integrated immigrants. However, the federal government itself now sees this as a misguided development. According to the explanatory memorandum to the law, a period of prior residence that is too short "fails to do justice to the fundamental importance of the integration process completed in Germany." The government emphasizes that a sufficiently long period of residence in the country is a key prerequisite for ensuring sustainable integration.

Voting result on turbo naturalization

450 members of parliament voted in favor of the government's bill, as amended by the Committee on Internal Affairs, 134 voted against, and two abstained. Thus, the abolition of the "automatic naturalization" procedure received a clear majority. However, a motion by the Left Party entitled "Enabling naturalization regardless of income" failed to receive a majority. This motion was rejected—against the votes of the proposers and the Greens. The Left Party wanted to ensure that even people with low incomes or in precarious living situations have a realistic chance of naturalization.

Criticism from the opposition and civil society

Critics see the reversal of the automatic naturalization process as a step backwards for integration policy. Especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers, they argue, it is counterproductive to make it more difficult for highly integrated people who are highly committed professionally and linguistically to achieve full participation. Integration associations had also pointed out in advance that a shortened naturalization period does not automatically mean lower integration requirements—on the contrary: Anyone who speaks C1 German after three years, supports themselves , and has not committed any crimes is generally considered well integrated.

For naturalization applicants, the decision represents a significant tightening of the legal situation. Those who had previously hoped for a reduction to three years—for example, due to exceptional integration efforts—will again have to prove a residency period of at least five years . This will delay many ongoing procedures unless they are completed before the new law comes into force.

Conclusion

By abolishing the "turbo-naturalization" process, the German government is pursuing a more restrictive approach tocitizenship law . While supporters see this as a necessary return to integration as a long-term process, opponents criticize the measure as a step backward in integration policy. One thing is certain: the hurdles for acquiring German citizenship are rising again – and with them the waiting time for full participation and political participation for many people who have long since made Germany their home.