Berlin: Germany’s parliament on Wednesday voted to repeal a fast-track citizenship provision, marking a significant policy shift in the country’s approach to immigration and integration.
The move underscores a changing political climate in Europe’s largest economy, where concerns over migration have increasingly shaped public discourse and government priorities.
The rescinded clause, introduced under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government of Social Democrats, liberals, and Greens, had allowed exceptionally well-integrated residents to apply for citizenship after three years instead of the standard five. It was intended to attract skilled professionals and encourage long-term settlement in a country grappling with severe labour shortages.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative government had pledged during its election campaign to reverse the measure, arguing that the German passport should symbolize successful integration rather than serve as an incentive for irregular migration.
“A German passport must come as recognition of a successful integration process and not act as an incentive for illegal immigration,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told lawmakers during the parliamentary session.
Despite the rollback, other reforms introduced under Scholz’s administration, including the allowance of dual citizenship and the reduction of the general naturalisation period from eight to five years, will remain in place.
The Social Democrats, now junior partners in the Merz coalition, defended their decision to support the partial repeal, stressing that the fast-track provision had limited practical impact.
Of the record 300,000 naturalisations in 2024, only a few hundred were granted through the accelerated route. The fast-track option required applicants to demonstrate strong German language proficiency, voluntary service, or notable professional or academic achievements.
“Germany is in global competition to attract top talent,” said Filiz Polat of the Greens. “If highly skilled people choose Germany, we should do everything possible to retain them.” However, growing public unease over migration has reshaped the political landscape. Rising asylum applications and pressure on local services have fuelled anti-immigration sentiment, propelling the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the forefront in some opinion polls.
