The German ruling party is seriously thinking about bringing major reforms once again in the citizenship process and requirements. As per further details, on February 20–21, 2026, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) held its federal party conference in Stuttgart.
During the two-day meeting, the party outlined several political priorities for the coming year. Among the most widely discussed topics was the future of German citizenship law, particularly the requirements for naturalization.
This all means that the debate is politically significant because the CDU currently governs Germany together with the CSU and SPD. Any policy proposals emerging from the party, therefore, have the potential to influence future legislation.
One of the central outcomes of the conference was the CDU’s call to tighten naturalization rules, especially regarding residence requirements and value-based integration.
Citizenship After Eight Years
A major proposal adopted at the conference concerns the minimum residence period required for naturalization.
Under current German law, individuals can apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence in Germany. This rule was introduced through a reform that took effect in June 2024, reducing the waiting period from eight years to five.
The CDU now proposes reversing that reform. Delegates voted in favor of returning to the previous eight-year requirement, arguing that five years may not be sufficient for immigrants to fully integrate into German society.
The difference between the current regulation and the proposed change can be summarized as follows:
| Aspect | Current Law (Since June 2024) | CDU Proposal |
| Minimum residence period | 5 years | 8 years |
| Policy objective | Faster integration and access to citizenship | Longer integration period before citizenship |
| Legal status | Already in force | Political proposal |
Supporters of the proposal argue that a longer residence period allows for deeper integration into social, cultural, and economic life. Critics, however, view the current five-year rule as a modern approach designed to make Germany more attractive to skilled migrants and long-term residents.
Stricter Examination of Values and Constitutional Loyalty
Another key element of the CDU proposal involves stronger scrutiny of applicants’ commitment to democratic values.
Applicants must already declare their commitment to Germany’s free democratic basic order before receiving citizenship. The CDU now wants authorities to examine this commitment more thoroughly.
Future checks could focus more explicitly on whether applicants support fundamental principles such as:
- Equality between all human beings.
- Respect for fundamental rights, including freedom of religion.
- Protection of sexual identity.
- Clear rejection of anti-Semitism and racism.
- Recognition of Germany’s historical responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime.
The CDU argues that citizenship should not only depend on formal requirements such as residence or language skills, but also on clear alignment with the country’s constitutional values.
Role of the Young Union
Many of the proposals originated from the Young Union (Junge Union), the CDU’s youth organization. Before the conference, the group had already drafted its own set of recommendations on citizenship policy.
Some of these proposals were even more restrictive than the final resolution adopted at the party conference. The Young Union advocated measures such as:
- Raising the required German language level from B1 to B2 without exception.
- Tougher requirements for proving a secure livelihood.
- Excluding time spent in asylum procedures or subsidiary protection from counting toward the residence requirement.
- In principle, excluding individuals who entered Germany illegally from naturalization.
Not all of these ideas were adopted. However, delegates ultimately agreed on the two core demands: returning to an eight-year residence requirement and tightening checks on applicants’ values.
What These Decisions Mean for Naturalization Applicants
Despite the political attention surrounding the issue, no legal changes have taken effect yet. The resolutions adopted at the CDU party conference represent political positions rather than binding law.
For the rules to actually change, several steps would be required:
- A draft law would need to be introduced in the German Bundestag.
- Parliamentary committees would review and debate the proposal.
- The Bundestag would vote on the bill.
- The Bundesrat, representing Germany’s federal states, would also need to approve it.
Only after completing this legislative process would the requirements for naturalization officially change.
Political Support for Stricter Citizenship Rules
Whether such reforms will receive majority support remains uncertain. The SPD, which governs alongside the CDU and CSU, previously supported the reduction of the naturalization period to five years. This makes it unlikely that the party would support extending the waiting period again.
Other parties also oppose stricter citizenship rules. Alliance 90/The Greens and The Left Party have both rejected tightening nationality law. Support for returning to the eight-year rule would likely come mainly from the AfD, which is currently in opposition.
As a result, the CDU proposals may face significant political resistance before becoming law.
Fraud Investigations Spark Debate on Language Certificates
Recent investigations in Bavaria have intensified the discussion about naturalization procedures. Authorities in Nuremberg uncovered a suspected network that allegedly organized fraudulent language tests.
According to investigators, a 39-year-old man recruited German-speaking individuals to take exams under false names on behalf of applicants who did not possess sufficient language skills.
Language certificates are a key requirement for citizenship applications because they demonstrate adequate knowledge of the German language. Allegations of forged or fraudulently obtained certificates have therefore raised concerns about the reliability of verification procedures.
CDU Proposal: Temporary Suspension of Naturalization Procedures
In response to these cases, Alexander Throm, domestic policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, called for a stricter review process.
He suggested that naturalization procedures should be suspended if there are doubts about the authenticity of language certificates until the investigation has been completed. The aim, according to Throm, is to ensure that citizenship is granted only on the basis of verifiable and legitimate documentation.
However, this proposal does not imply a complete halt to all naturalization processes. A blanket suspension without concrete suspicion would not be legally permissible. Instead, the focus would be on cases where specific evidence raises doubts about authenticity.
Ten-Year Ban for Fraud in Citizenship Applications
Additional legal consequences for fraud were introduced through a law that took effect in December 2025. Under this legislation, individuals who deliberately deceive authorities during the naturalization process can face a ban of up to ten years from reapplying for citizenship.
This penalty also applies if the deception is discovered after citizenship has already been granted, in which case German citizenship can be revoked.
Support from German Federal States
Several state-level politicians have expressed support for stricter controls. Daniel Peters, CDU state chairman in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, emphasized that the misuse of language certificates undermines trust in the rule of law.
According to Peters, fraudulent practices in citizenship procedures are not minor violations, but serious attempts to manipulate the system. As a result, authorities must respond with firm legal consequences and thorough verification.
Conclusion
The CDU’s proposals following the 2026 party conference signal a potential shift toward stricter citizenship policies in Germany. The party is advocating a return to longer residence requirements, deeper examination of applicants’ commitment to democratic values, and more rigorous scrutiny of documentation.
However, these proposals remain political positions rather than enacted law. Any change to naturalization rules would require approval from the Bundestag and Bundesrat, as well as support from coalition partners. Given the current political landscape, whether these reforms will ultimately be implemented remains uncertain.