Germany Ends 3-Year Fast-Track Citizenship Rule, Reinforcing Standard 5-Year Requirements

Lakshmi

Updated On Oct 15, 2025

Germany Ends 3-Year Fast-Track Neutralisation Rule Introduced in 2024

Germany will no longer be granting citizenship to foreign skilled professionals after three years of residency. The country's parliament has now officially retracted the three-year fast-track neutralisation pathway, which was introduced in 2024 for highly skilled foreign residents.

Following this change, foreign nationals would now be eligible for German citizenship only after completing five years of continuous residency, aligning with the nation's evolving political landscape

Under the SPD-led coalition, Germany had rolled out two major citizenship pathways in July 2024, including permission for immigrants to retain their original nationality, which is a considerable shift from the previous rule, which restricted dual citizenship to EU nationals.

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The first reform reduced the standard neutralisation period from 8 years to 5 years, while requiring applicants to process intermediate level German language proficiency and further demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.

The second reform included a fast-track route allowing individuals to obtain Citizenship in three years for exceptionally well-integrated individuals, which has now been revoked by the Bundestag.

German citizenship is primarily based on descent, rather than birthplace. Since January 1, 2000, children born in Germany to non-German parents have the right to acquire citizenship if at least one parent meets specific residence conditions.

However, citizenship by marriage has been abolished since 1970, and spouses must now fulfil general neutralisation criteria.

Moving further, individuals may obtain German citizenship, either through legal entitlement or discretionary naturalisation, typically after long-term residence and integration within the country

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