Germany will cancel the opportunity to obtain citizenship in three years

After the changes in the migration policy of Germany, it will be possible to obtain German citizenship only after five years of stay in the country, instead of three, as it is currently envisaged. This was announced on April 9 by the head of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU/CSU) Friedrich Merz.

"We will change the law on citizenship again: There will be no more so—called turbonaturalization in three years, now it will be possible to get citizenship again only after five years of living in the country," Merz said at a press conference following coalition talks with the Social Democrats, which was broadcast on the Phoenix YouTube channel.

It is specified that currently, to obtain a German passport, residence in the country is required for at least five years. The three-year period is set for spouses of German citizens, and the marriage must be concluded no later than two years before the application is submitted. In addition, the term may be shortened in case of significant integration successes, for example, in a career or education.

Change of power: German elections won by the opposition CDU/CSU party

Friedrich Merz will be the new chancellor.

On the same day, Reuters reported that the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which took second place in the early parliamentary elections in Germany, topped the popularity rating of the country's parties for the first time. The CDU, according to polls, has support at 24%.

On January 19, 2024, the Bundestag agreed on a bill to simplify the procedure for obtaining German citizenship. The bill provides for a reduction in the period of naturalization from the current eight years to five, and in the case of special merits — up to three years. It is also allowed to have several citizenship besides German.