Germany Abolishes Underutilized Fast-Track Citizenship Program

Germany has officially ended its fast-track citizenship programme, which allowed highly qualified foreigners to apply for German citizenship after just three years of residence, rather than the standard five-year requirement. The programme, introduced in 2024 by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz as part of a broader set of reforms to German citizenship rules, aimed to attract skilled professionals to Germany and integrate them quickly into society. Applicants were required to demonstrate high proficiency in the German language and provide proof of being well-integrated into German society. Despite these stringent requirements, the programme saw minimal uptake and was politically contentious.

According to a survey conducted by ARD Capital Studio, only 573 people in Berlin had applied for the fast-track citizenship since 2024, accounting for just 1.02 percent of all citizenship applications. Other states saw even fewer applicants, with Bavaria recording 78 applicants and Baden-Württemberg just 16 as of April 2025. The limited use of the programme highlighted both its niche appeal and the political unpopularity surrounding it, despite Germany’s declining population and ongoing need for skilled labor.

The measure was officially repealed by a vote in the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, on Wednesday. The vote fulfilled a campaign promise by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to abolish the programme. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the programme devalued German citizenship, stating that a German passport should signify successful integration rather than act as an incentive for illegal migration. The repeal received backing from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the largest opposition party in the Bundestag, which has long promoted a strict anti-immigration agenda, including calls for the “mass deportation” of immigrants. The AfD, which gained significant ground in the February federal elections—doubling its parliamentary seats compared to 2021—was a key supporter of the repeal.

Critics of the repeal, including Ferat Kocak from the Left party, argued that the government’s actions were normalizing the AfD’s anti-immigrant stance, effectively making xenophobia politically acceptable. Despite these criticisms, the German government maintained that the programme’s repeal was necessary to preserve the integrity and value of German citizenship.

While the fast-track scheme has been abolished, other citizenship reforms introduced under Scholz remain in effect. These include reducing the residency requirement for standard citizenship applications from eight years to five and relaxing rules on dual citizenship. Applicants for citizenship must also demonstrate mid-level German language proficiency and show that they can financially support themselves and their families in Germany. These ongoing reforms continue to shape Germany’s approach to immigration and integration, balancing the need for skilled labor with broader political and social considerations.

Overall, the abolition of the fast-track programme reflects both political pressures within Germany and public perceptions of immigration policy. It highlights the challenges governments face in designing policies that attract talent while maintaining public support and upholding the symbolic and practical value of national citizenship. Despite its cancellation, Germany’s broader citizenship reforms continue to evolve, aiming to integrate new residents effectively while addressing domestic political concerns.