A recent proposal by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to roll back Germany’s citizenship reform has been firmly rejected in the Parliament (Bundestag). The motion received only 135 votes in favour, while 439 members voted against it, making the outcome clear, as reported by the German Parliament’s lower house.
The proposal aimed to significantly tighten the rules for obtaining German citizenship. However, the majority of lawmakers decided that the current system already strikes a reasonable balance.
What the AfD Wanted to Change?
The AfD pushed for a much stricter naturalisation process. Their proposal included several key changes:
- Increasing the required residency period from five years back to eight years.
- Raising the German language requirement from B1 to B2 level.
- Applying stricter checks to ensure applicants can fully support themselves financially.
- Excluding time spent in the asylum process from counting toward residency.
- Preventing individuals who entered Germany illegally from becoming citizens.
- Introducing a “loyalty test” to assess commitment to Germany’s constitution.
According to the party, these measures would strengthen integration and reduce pressure on public services. The AfD argued that tighter rules would help ensure that only those fully aligned with Germany’s values and systems are granted citizenship.
What the Current Law Already Requires?
Despite the AfD’s concerns, Germany’s existing citizenship rules are already structured with clear requirements in place.
At present, applicants must:
- Live in Germany for at least five years.
- Demonstrate German language skills at B1 level.
- Show financial stability and low reliance on state support.
- Declare their commitment to Germany’s democratic system.
For many lawmakers, these requirements already provide a fair and effective framework for integration.
Political Tensions and the CDU’s Position
The debate also highlighted ongoing political tensions, particularly around the stance of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
AfD representative Gottfried Curio claimed that his party’s proposal reflected ideas previously supported by the CDU. It is true that the CDU/CSU had campaigned on reversing parts of the 2024 reform before the 2025 election.
However, after forming a coalition government with the SPD, the CDU agreed to a compromise. Instead of fully reversing the reform, only the “fast-track naturalisation” option was removed in October 2025.
Speaking before the vote, CDU politician Siegfried Walch made it clear that this compromise was sufficient and aligned with the party’s core conservative values.
What This Means Going Forward
The failure of the AfD motion means that Germany’s 2024 citizenship reform will remain largely in place. While political debate around immigration and citizenship is likely to continue, there is currently no majority support for stricter changes of the kind proposed.
The AfD has made it clear that it will continue pushing for broader reforms to citizenship law. However, for now, the Bundestag’s decision signals stability in Germany’s current approach.