Germany ends fast-track citizenship law

Germany’s parliament on Wednesday voted to repeal a law that allowed fast-track citizenship for well-integrated migrants, marking a shift in the country’s immigration policy. The decision reflects growing public unease over migration and comes just months after a new centre-right government took office.

The repealed law, introduced by the previous centre-left SPD-led government, had reduced the minimum residency requirement for citizenship from five years to three for migrants who could prove strong integration. The SPD had argued the measure would attract more overseas workers to fill labour shortages in key industries.

However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre-right CDU government, which came to power in May, campaigned to reverse the policy as part of its broader pledge to tighten immigration controls.


Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said before the parliamentary vote that the move sent a “clear signal.”
"The German passport will be available as recognition of successful integration and not as an incentive for illegal migration," he added.

A total of 450 lawmakers, including members of the SPD and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), voted to repeal the measure, while 134 opposed it. The SPD, now a junior partner in Merz’s coalition, said it backed the repeal because the fast-track provision was rarely used.

Despite the rollback, the government has retained several other reforms from the previous administration. These include reducing the standard residency requirement for citizenship from eight to five years and allowing dual nationality in most cases.

The repeal comes amid heightened debate over migration, with growing concern that rising arrivals are straining public services. Analysts say the Merz government’s tougher stance also aims to counter the increasing influence of the AfD, which secured second place in February’s general election.

(With inputs from AFP)