Citizenship in just 3 years will be ended

TominStuttgart · 2025-10-13T15:17:13+02:00

Learn about Germany's new citizenship reforms reducing residency from 8 to 5 years, and the end of 3-year turbo naturalization for most applicants.

TominStuttgart Germany Expert

Member since 19 March 2012

TominStuttgartGermany Expert13 October 2025 13:17:13

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Thought I would mention that there is a new change to the residency requirement for German citizenship that has been recently passed - but not sure when it takes effect; likely at the beginning of 2026. The former standard requirement for 8 years of unlimited residency was lowered to 5 years and stays the same as does the allowance for multiple citizenship.聽 But the recent reform had retained a reduction for up to 2 years for people with B2 or better German, and/or having done a university degree in Germany in addition to some other requirements showing 鈥渆xceptional integration鈥�. This "turbo naturalization" in 3 or 4聽 years will no longer be possible except for a spouse of a German.

But there were less than 200 such turbo naturalizations in Germany last from over 100,000 new citizenships awarded. Seems it was more wishful thinking than reality for many expecting to easily get it done in 3 years. I assume a few more might managed before the new ruling comes into effect but not a chance if they have not already put in their application and documentation.