Germany's fast-track citizenship used by few, set to be scrapped

Only a few hundred foreigners have acquired German citizenship after just three years under a fast-track rule introduced by the previous coalition government for well-integrated migrants.

A dpa survey of states and municipalities showed. The rule, which came in effect in June last year, allows citizenship after just three years of residency for those with strong German language skills and outstanding academic, professional or civic achievements.

It is part of a broader citizenship reform that also shortened the standard residency requirement from eight to five years and permitted dual citizenship.

The new German government, made up of the conservative CDU/CSU and centre-left SPD, plans to abolish the fast-track option. A first reading in parliament is scheduled for June 26.

Berlin saw the most use of the provision, with 500 of the nearly 30,000 naturalizations between July 2024 and April 2025 processed under the three-year rule. Other states reported far lower figures: Hamburg recorded five cases, Bavaria 78, and Brandenburg just one.

North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse also cited only a handful of cases.

Germany granted citizenship to about 292,000 people in 2024 — a record high and a 46% increase from the previous year. Syrians made up the largest group (28%), followed by Turkish nationals (8%).

The rise in applications has caused delays, with processing times averaging 18 months in Baden-Württemberg and 13 months in Hamburg.