Germany’s incoming government has agreed to reverse the accelerated citizenship process for well-integrated immigrants, a policy enacted by the previous administration. The new coalition agreement between the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats also includes stricter limitations on family reunification for migrants with subsidiary protection and a reduction in the number of workers entering through the Western Balkans regulation.

While the shortened path to citizenship (from eight to five years) and the acceptance of dual citizenship will remain, the reversal of the three-year citizenship option marks a significant shift. This previous law, implemented by the SPD, Greens, and FDP coalition, allowed for faster naturalization for individuals demonstrating strong integration into German society.

Furthermore, family reunification for those with subsidiary protection will now be limited to “extremely important cases.” This contrasts with the previous policy, which offered broader opportunities for families to be together. Subsidiary protection is granted to individuals who cannot be classified as refugees but face serious risk if returned to their home country.

The agreement also aims to reduce the number of workers entering Germany through the Western Balkans regulation, setting a new maximum of 25,000 entry permits per year. This regulation allows citizens from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to work in Germany, provided they have a pre-approved employment contract.

The previous government also had a quota for allowing the closest relatives of persons with some kind of international protection to enter Germany, but this quota has now been removed.