CDU wants to suspend naturalizations - Is that even possible?

Imagine the state halting the issuance of driver's licenses nationwide simply because irregularities surfaced during the theory test at a single driving school. Or consider suspending all tax assessments because a handful of citizens made false statements on their returns. What would be considered an absurd infringement on individual rights in any other area of law is currently being discussed as a serious demand in migration policy . Given the record numbers of over 290,000 naturalizations in 2024 and a further increase in 2025, the political debate is creating ripples that threaten the very foundations of our citizenship law . Under the pretext of isolated cases of fraud involving language certificates, politicians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) are calling for a general moratorium on naturalizations . As a law firm specializing in visa and citizenship law, we view this development with concern, as it represents an attempt to justify a restrictive political agenda with legally flimsy arguments.

The legal institution of naturalization is not a political right of grace.

We must first bear in mind that naturalization under the Nationality Act (StAG) is not an act of state arbitrariness or a mere "gift" that can be granted or withdrawn depending on the political climate. If an applicant meets the legal requirements, they are entitled to naturalization according to Section 10 of the Nationality Act. A legally binding right to naturalization exists. This right is an essential component of our democratic constitutional state. The demand to suspend ongoing procedures across the board fundamentally contradicts the right granted by Section 10 of the Nationality Act. Administrative bodies are obligated to process applications within reasonable timeframes. A general halt would punish tens of thousands of people who have integrated, worked, and behaved lawfully for years, simply to send a harsh political message. As legal professionals, we emphasize: Our legal system does not provide for collective punishment for the individual misconduct of third parties .

The supposed dominance of language certificates in practice

A central point of the current campaign is the claim that alleged manipulation of language tests is corrupting the entire system. However, in our daily practice, we see a very different picture. The language certificate is merely one piece of the puzzle in the naturalization process. While Section 10 Paragraph 1 No. 6 of the German Nationality Act (StAG) requires proof of sufficient German language skills, the authorities by no means rely blindly on a piece of paper. The applicants' language proficiency becomes evident during personal interviews at the naturalization offices, during identity verification, and throughout the entire processing period . A forged certificate offers no protection against being noticed during direct contact with the case worker. The significance of these certificates is being deliberately exaggerated for political reasons to paint a picture of a loss of control that simply does not exist in reality.

Exploitation of individual cases for a restrictive agenda

It is obvious that the current fraud allegations are being used as a catalyst to delegitimize the reforms to citizenship law . Since June 27, 2024, naturalization has been possible after just five years – a modernization that we as a law firm expressly welcome, as it reflects the realities of a modern immigration society. The fact that calls for a halt are now being made precisely at a time of rising numbers in Berlin and Hamburg reveals the true intention: it is not about investigating crimes, but about unlawfully erecting new obstacles . The legal means to combat fraud already exist. Anyone who deceives their citizenship must expect to have it revoked under Section 35 of the German Nationality Act (StAG), even years later. Furthermore, it has already been enshrined in law that deception can lead to a ten-year ban. These instruments are entirely sufficient to protect the integrity of the process without sacrificing the legal rights of law-abiding citizens.

Conclusion: Rule of law instead of populist knee-jerk reactions

In summary, we maintain that the demand for a moratorium on naturalizations is legally untenable and politically motivated . Such a course of action would severely damage trust in the reliability of German authorities and violate the core principles of Section 10 of the Nationality Act. We reject the assertion that an entire branch of the administration must be shut down because of isolated irregularities. Fraud must be prosecuted, yes – but with the means of criminal and administrative law against the perpetrators, not by obstructing a fundamental democratic process against the public.

Would you like to learn how to prepare your naturalization application in a legally sound and efficient manner despite the current political debates? Contact us!