Coalition agreement 2025 - Naturalization
The CDU/CSU and SPD are planning these legislative changes
On Wednesday afternoon, the leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD appeared before the press in Berlin and announced that their parties had agreed on a coalition agreement. In it, the future government partners have laid down various changes to migration law, among other things, on a total of 144 pages. They announced that Germany would "take a different, more consistent course in migration policy in future." But what does this mean in concrete terms? In the following, we explain what impact the plans agreed in the coalition agreement will have on foreigners in Germany and whether anything will change for German companies.
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Shahroch Taleqani
Coalition agreement - what you need to know
The most important thing right from the start: the agreements in the coalition agreement are initially just that - agreements. In themselves, they have no effect on the legal situation in migration law. All current laws remain in place and will continue to be applied, including the new regulations on simplified naturalization, dual citizenship and the changes to the EU Blue Card.
However, the coalition agreement offers a first impression of what is to change in migration law under Germany's future government of CDU/CSU and SPD under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It can be assumed that the new coalition government will implement many of the plans set out in the coalition agreement. To this end, the responsible ministries (presumably primarily the CSU-led Ministry of the Interior) will first draw up draft laws, which will then have to be voted on by the German Bundestag and possibly also the Bundesrat. Only when the Bundestag and possibly the Bundesrat have approved a law and this law comes into force does the legal situation actually change. This procedure usually takes several months or longer, especially in the case of complex legislative proposals.
Abolition of naturalization after three years
An important change for many foreigners living in Germany, which the CDU, CSU and SPD have agreed on in the coalition agreement, concerns naturalization. The reduction in the minimum period of residence from eight to five years introduced by the coalition government is to remain in place. Naturalization will therefore still be possible in future after five years of residence in Germany. However, the future government wants to abolish the additional option of naturalization after three years. This regulation, which only came into force in summer 2024, allows particularly well-integrated and committed foreigners with German language skills at C1 level to obtain German citizenship after just three years of residence. However, the CDU/CSU and SPD now want to abolish this option, which is referred to as "turbo naturalization" in the coalition agreement.
If you would like to check whether you could be eligible for naturalization, we recommend our free and uncomplicated naturalization check. This provides you with a quick and easy initial assessment of whether you meet the requirements for naturalization according to the current legal situation.
Dual citizenship remains in place
In addition, the new governing parties want to modernize the citizenship law introduced by the previous government. modernization of the citizenship law introduced by the previous government. In the coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD state that, with the exception of naturalization after three years, they are sticking to the reform of citizenship law. Above all, this means that dual citizenship will remain the rule for naturalization in Germany in the future .
The only prerequisite for this is that the country of origin also allows dual citizenship. This is the case in most countries worldwide. However, some countries have regulations in their nationality law according to which their citizenship is lost in the event of naturalization in a foreign country. You can find an overview of which rules apply in which countries and with which countries dual citizenship is possible here.
Outlook for 2025
The CDU, CSU and SPD are planning most of the changes in the coalition agreement that affect foreigners in the area of asylum law. A "repatriation offensive" is to be launched for rejected asylum seekers. In contrast, the new government partners want to strengthen the immigration and integration of skilled workers . Among other things, an internet platform for the immigration of skilled workers, the so-called "work-and-stay agency", is to be set up for this purpose. It will therefore continue to be worthwhile for skilled workers from abroad to seek their professional future in Germany. The experienced lawyers at RT & Partner, who specialize in migration law, can advise you on the various residence permits and everything else that is important.
In addition, it remains extremely attractive for German companies to recruit skilled workers from abroad, especially with the EU Blue Card. Our lawyers can also provide you with comprehensive advice on this, and of course we will be happy to take care of the entire application process for you.
FAQ on naturalization:
Where can I take the naturalization test?
In Germany, you can register for and take the naturalization test at all participating institutions. These institutions differ regionally within Germany. We have sorted all institutions by federal state for you:
Tip:
You can register for the naturalization test throughout Germany, but answer the questions of the federal state in which you live.
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my naturalization application?
Even now, it usually takes up to 12 monthsuntil a decision is made on an application for naturalization. When the new law comes into force on 26 June 2024, the number of naturalization applications is expected to increase significantly will increase significantly. This will probably also increase the processing times by several months. If the authorities do not make a decision on your application for too long, it may be advisable to file an action for failure to act action for failure to act. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on this.
Do you still have to take a naturalization test under the new Citizenship Act?
YesThe new law does not change the rules for the naturalization test. However, as before, you do not have to take the test if you are at least a German school-leaving qualification (qualificationRealschule, Abitur etc.)a completed vocational training with a grade in the subject of social studies or a degree in the fields of law and social sciences, social sciences or politics naor politics.
Can I be naturalized if I receive social assistance?
Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship must be able to prove that they can support themselves and their dependents. to support themselves and their can support themselves. They must not be receiving benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB II or SGB XII). be received. These include, for example, unemployment benefit II, basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity and social assistance.
However, according to the new law , there are exceptionsIf you have been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months within the last 24 months, receiving state benefits is not harmful. The same applies if your spouse or registered partnerwho lives with you and a child has been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months. And also for former guest workers and contract workers and their spouses who have joined them are also exempt from receiving state benefits such as social assistance if they are not responsible for this.
Can I apply for naturalization now if I want the provisions of the new law (dual citizenship, shorter period of residence, etc.) to apply to me?
The new law on citizenship comes into force on 27 June 2024, but the processing time for an application for naturalization is usually around 12 months. The decisive factor for your application is the legal situation at the time when the authorities make a decision. It is very likely that this will not be until after June 27. This means that you can, in principle, submit an application for naturalization now, which will then be decided according to the new legal situation. If a decision is made on your application before June 27, 2024, you will first be asked to provide proof that you have been released from your existing citizenship. If you do not do this by June 27, you will be able to benefit from the new law after this date and retain your citizenship.
However, this varies from authority to authority and also depends on how long you have been in Germany. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on your personal situation.
What will be the minimum period of residence for naturalization in the future?
Since the new law on citizenship came into force on June 27, 2024, the minimum period of residence in Germany is now only five years. It can be shortened to up to three years in cases of particularly good integration.
When will the new Naturalization Act come into force?
The new Naturalization Act (Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law) comes into force on June 27, 2024 in force, three months after its promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette. From then on dual citizenship in principle under German law possible for all, and will in particular the minimum period of residence to five years to five years. You can read more about the details of the new law here.
Where do I have to apply for naturalization?
Where you have to apply for naturalization depends on where you live. If you are in Germany, you must apply to the naturalization authority responsible for your place of residence. You can find out which authority this is from the foreigners authority in your town or municipality or from the district or city administration. Naturalization applications from abroad, which are processed by the Federal Office of Administration, must be submitted to the responsible German mission abroad, i.e. the German embassy or a (general) consulate.
How well do I have to speak German to be naturalized?
In principle, language skills at level B1 or higher are required for naturalization. If you can prove a higher language level, you may be able to naturalize earlier. Theoretically, naturalization is also possible with a lower language level than B1. However, this still requires a certain knowledge of the language, as your integration into the German way of life must be guaranteed. In addition, there must be a public interest in you receiving German citizenship.
Do I have to give up my old citizenship in order to naturalize in Germany?
Since the new Naturalization Act came into force on 27 June 2024, those wishing to naturalize no longer have to give up their old citizenship. According to the new legal situation, anyone can obtain dual citizenship - provided the country of origin also allows it. You can find a list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship here.
