Bundestag abolished the "turbo naturalization" procedure: it is no longer possible to obtain a German passport in three years

The Bundestag has voted in favor of an amendment to the law on citizenship, which aims to abolish the possibility of so-called "turbo naturalization" introduced in 2024. About this reported on the website of the German Parliament.

On Wednesday, October 8, 450 MPs supported the bill, 134 voted against it, and two abstained.

From now on, you can apply for a German passport again only after five, not three, years of residence in the country. At the same time, this period will not be extended to eight years, as it was before.

The rule on dual citizenship introduced by the previous government will also remain in force.

To be naturalized in Germany, you need to know German at a level of at least B1, pass a test on the social and legal principles of life in the country, be able to provide for yourself and your dependents independently, and not have a criminal record.

A law that allows obtain German citizenship in three years after residence, was adopted under the government Olaf Scholz.

At the time, only German spouses (the marriage had to be concluded at least two years before the application) and persons with special achievements in integration (e.g., outstanding career or educational success) were eligible for "turbo naturalization."

The current government believes that three years is too short a time to have time to integrate into German life. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted that the change in legislation would reduce the number of asylum seekers in the country.

"By canceling 'turbo naturalization' we are sending a clear signal to the public. The promise of a change in [migration] policy will be realized. A German passport should be a recognition of successful integration, not an incentive for illegal migration," the politician said at a parliamentary session.

In order to pass a law abolishing accelerated naturalization, the relevant amendments to migration legislation must be adopted not only by the Bundestag, but also by the Bundesrat, the representative body of the federal states of Germany.

• In 2024, the number of people who received German citizenship, increased by almost 50%, reaching a new record.
• At the end of September 2025, Polish President Karol Nawrocki proposed increase the period of residence for citizenship up to 10 years old.