Germany has abolished “turbo-citizenship”: it is no longer possible to obtain a German passport in three years. Find out what exactly has changed, how this will affect migrants and what requirements are now in place to obtain a German passport

On October 8, 2025, the Bundestag officially abolished “turbonaturalization” – an accelerated procedure for obtaining German citizenship, which allowed foreigners to obtain a German passport after just three years of residence. From now on, the standard requirement is again five years of legal residence in the country.

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What changes to the citizenship procedure did the German parliament approve?

450 deputies voted for the amendment to the citizenship law, 134 voted against, and two abstained.

The decision completely abolishes the three-year path to citizenship introduced in 2024 under the government of Olaf Scholz.

From now on, a passport application can be submitted after five years of residence in Germany.

However, this period will not be extended to eight years, as was the case before the Scholz reform.

The rules on dual citizenship, which allow foreigners to keep their country's passport, also remain in force.

The law still needs to be approved by the Bundesrat, the representative body of the federal states, after which it will enter into force.

Why did the German government decide to abolish “turbo citizenship”?

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt explained that the reform is aimed at “reducing the attractiveness of illegal migration” and implementing the “migration reversal” policy proclaimed by the new government coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“A German passport should be a recognition of successful integration, not an incentive for illegal migration,” Dobrindt said during a discussion in the Bundestag.

According to government officials, three years is too short a period to test the level of integration of foreigners into German society.

How did the German leadership react to the abolition of the accelerated citizenship procedure?

The abolition was supported by center-right and right-wing parties, in particular the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which takes a hardline anti-immigration position. AfD representatives even called for the return of the old eight-year residence period for obtaining a passport.

In turn, the Greens and the Left Party criticized the decision, believing that it would slow down integration and would not take into account the interests of those who had already applied under the old rules.

How popular was the accelerated citizenship program in Germany?

According to official data, less than a thousand people throughout the country have used the accelerated procedure during the period of operation.

In Berlin, from 2024, from 300 to 500 people have received citizenship under this scheme, in Bavaria - about 80, in Baden-Württemberg - only 16.

For comparison, in total, 292 thousand foreigners became citizens of Germany through the naturalization procedure during 2024. Also, in Berlin, from January to August 2025, about 27 thousand people received a German passport, which is even more than for the entire previous year.

Experts consider the abolition of “turbonaturalization” to be rather a symbolic step that will not have a tangible impact on the general migration policy, but will demonstrate a tougher course of the new government.

How to get a German passport through naturalization?

After the changes, the standard conditions for obtaining German citizenship remain as follows:

- At least 5 years of permanent residence in Germany;

- Knowledge of German at level B1;

- Passing a test on knowledge of the legal and social principles of life in Germany;

- Financial independence - the ability to support yourself and your family without social assistance;

- No criminal record.

For people married to a German citizen, the possibility of naturalization remains after three years of residence and two years of marriage.

Read here what foreigners can work as in Germany, what jobs are offered for English-speaking workers and whether foreigners need a visa to work in Germany.

What is the accelerated procedure for obtaining German citizenship?

“Turbonaturalization” was introduced in 2024 by the government of Olaf Scholz as part of a package of reforms aimed at attracting qualified personnel and mitigating the labor shortage.

It allowed obtaining citizenship after three years, provided that:

- C1 language proficiency;

- “special achievements in integration” (successful career, active participation in public life, education, etc.).

These provisions have now officially expired.

The abolition of the accelerated naturalization procedure is a signal of a change in migration policy in Germany.

The authorities are seeking to make citizenship a reward for long-term integration, rather than a short-term bonus for newcomers.

Need help with obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in Germany? Contact the migration specialists of Visit World!

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Reminder! In addition to canceling the accelerated procedure for obtaining German citizenship, in 2025 the country tightened immigration rules, in particular, introduced a ban on family reunification for individual refugees and approved new restrictions at the borders. We have already told you who the innovations affected and how foreigners should act.

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