News|PoliticsGermany repeals little-used fast track citizenship schemeA survey by German media found that fewer than 1,000 people had applied to the programme.

Policy Update: Changes to German Citizenship Programme

Germany has officially terminated a programme that allowed highly qualified foreign nationals to apply for citizenship after three years of residence instead of the standard five years. This decision was finalized following a vote in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, on Wed, Oct 8, 2025.

The fast-track citizenship programme was introduced in 2024 and recorded only a few hundred applicants. Despite its limited usage, the programme was politically contentious. The repeal aligns with the campaign commitment of Chancellor Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democratic Union to eliminate the programme, which was perceived as devaluing German citizenship.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that German citizenship should be a recognition of successful integration rather than an incentive for migration. The repeal received backing from several parties, including the far-right AfD, known for its strong anti-immigration stance. The AfD significantly increased its parliamentary representation in the February federal election.

Data from a July survey indicated that only 573 applicants in Berlin accessed the fast-track option since its inception, accounting for just 1.02% of all citizenship applications. Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg saw 78 and 16 applicants, respectively, as of April 2025.

While the fast-track programme has been repealed, other reforms to citizenship laws initiated by the former chancellor Olaf Scholz remain. Notably, these reforms reduced the residency requirement for standard applications from eight years to five and relaxed dual citizenship rules. Applicants must demonstrate mid-level German language proficiency and the capacity to financially support themselves and their families.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.