On Wednesday, May 28, the German Bundestag will vote on two significant draft laws targeting migration policy changes.
Here’s what the proposals entail:
Ending citizenship in three years for fast-tracked applicants
The conservative CDU/CSU bloc opposes the previous coalition’s “turbo-naturalization” rule, which shortened the residency requirement for citizenship from eight to five years in 2024—and further down to three years for applicants showing “exceptional integration.” Those applying under the fast-track must prove German language skills at the C1 level and demonstrate “special professional or civic contributions.”
The new coalition plans to keep the five-year minimum residency period and allow dual citizenship but will remove the three-year fast-track option.
Ban on family reunification for refugees with limited protection for two years
Refugees holding limited protection status will be barred from bringing family members to Germany for two years, with exceptions only for serious family circumstances.
“We must significantly reduce pull factors to Germany. This is another way to show that Germany’s migration policy has changed,” said Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CDU/CSU).
Currently, around 1,000 family members of such refugees enter Germany each month. Over 30 NGOs have called on the government to abandon this plan.
