The broad coalition, which is expected to take power in Germany in early May, plans to tighten migration rules. On Wednesday, April 9, the conservative bloc CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) presented the coalition agreement, which makes it clear that measures against illegal migration will be tightened. The changes come against the backdrop of the influx of millions of refugees and migrants into Germany over the past 10 years.
Some of the changes in migration legislation will also affect legally residing migrants and refugees with the right to asylum. For example, Ukrainian refugees will no longer be entitled to the so-called Bürgergeld - social benefits that German citizens also receive. And a German passport will be obtained after at least five years, not after three, as it was before.
How do you get a German passport in three years?
The accelerated procedure for acquiring German citizenship in three years was adopted by the outgoing government of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals. It was in force for a relatively short period of time - from June 2024 to now. According to it, under certain circumstances, German citizenship can be obtained after just three years of legal residence in Germany - for example, with "particularly positive integration achievements". Such are considered to be particularly good achievements at school or at work, participation in public activities - for example, in the fire service or in the social sphere.
However, in order to obtain citizenship, other criteria must be met: the applicant must be able to support himself and his family members, as well as speak German at level C1 and not have violated German laws. They also take a test to determine their knowledge of the German legal and social system.
When will the new five-year rule come into effect?
The new ruling coalition of the CDU/CSU and the SPD is expected to start work in early May. How quickly changes to migration legislation will be introduced and what they will be exactly is an open question for now.
However, the change to the citizenship law will certainly not come into effect immediately. The law must be approved not only by the Bundestag, but also by the Bundesrat - the representation of the German federal states. Last time, the whole procedure took about 10 months: the cabinet adopted the bill in August 2023, in January 2024 it was approved by the Bundestag, in February - by the Bundesrat. It ultimately came into force in June 2024. Until the changes come into force, it is possible to apply for German citizenship under the current law.
In recent years, the number of applications for German citizenship has been increasing. The record year was 2023 - over 200,000. One of the reasons is that the German passport is one of the most attractive in the world. It allows visa-free travel to most countries.
However, against the backdrop of the increased number of applications for citizenship, German services are struggling. Even the accelerated procedure of three years does not guarantee quick receipt of citizenship. Applicants often have to wait longer. It should be known that even after receiving a German passport, it can be revoked within 10 years from the date of receipt. For example, if false information was provided when submitting the application.
Author: Roman Goncharenko