The Bundestag will repeal a fast-track citizenship law introduced by the previous Social Democratic Party of Germany-led (SPD) government, signaling a firmer stance on immigration—or panic at the rise of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in recent polls.
The law had allowed foreigners to apply for German citizenship after just three years instead of the usual five, provided they demonstrated exceptional integration.
The SPD argued the measure would attract skilled overseas workers to fill labor shortages. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) pledged during his campaign to overturn the law as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration—a promise his CDU has struggled to deliver.
Ahead of the parliamentary vote, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized the government’s position:
The German passport will be available as recognition of successful integration and not as an incentive for illegal migration.
A total of 450 lawmakers supported the repeal, including members of the leftist SPD and the right-wingAfD, while 134 opposed it.
Despite abolishing the fast-track program, the new government left in place other key aspects of the previous coalition’s immigration reforms: migrants can still apply for citizenship after five years instead of eight, and dual citizenship remains permitted in most cases.
