German citizenship after 3 years: what happened to the fast track

No – the three-year route to German citizenship for people with special integration achievements no longer exists. The so-called fast track (Turbo-Einbürgerung) applied only from 27 June 2024 to 29 October 2025. Since 30 October 2025 you generally need at least five years of lawful residence in Germany. Naturalising after three years is now only possible in special cases, above all if you're married to a German citizen.

What the fast track was

The citizenship reform of 27 June 2024 cut the minimum residence period from eight to five years. On top of that, it could be shortened to as little as three years (section 10(3) of the Nationality Act, StAG, as it then stood). You needed special integration achievements – such as outstanding performance at school, in training or at work, or volunteering – C1-level German, and a livelihood entirely free of public benefits. All other requirements, including the citizenship test, still applied.

Few people used it. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 1,500 people were naturalised in 2025 with a shortened residence period for special integration – less than 1 per cent of all naturalisations. The vast majority came through the normal routes: 72 per cent were naturalised after at least five years' residence and 19 per cent were spouses and children naturalised together with a family member.

Timeline: from eight to three to five years

Note that the five-year rule from 2024 stays. There was no return to eight years, and dual citizenship is still allowed.

What about applications already in progress?

Did you apply under the three-year rule before 30 October 2025 and are still waiting for a decision? No official transitional rule has been confirmed. In December 2025 the Administrative Court of Trier (in German) found that the amending law contains no transitional provision and judged an application filed in April 2025 under the new law, because what counts is the law at the time of the decision (judgment of 3 December 2025, 8 K 5461/25.TR, not yet final at the time). So expect your application to be decided under the new law too, which means at least five years of residence. Ask your naturalisation authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) how it is handling your case.

• Procedures often take many months, and more than a year in big cities, so some applicants reach five years while their case is still open. Ask whether your application can simply continue.
• Before withdrawing an application, check the cost: withdrawal or refusal after processing has started costs between €25 and the full €255 fee.
• Your language and test certificates remain useful for a later application.

Citizenship after three years: the routes that remain

• Spouses and registered partners of Germans (section 9 StAG): you should be naturalised once you have lived lawfully in Germany for three years and the marriage or registered partnership has lasted two years. If it has lasted three years, the residence period can be shortened further in the public interest. You still need B1 German, the citizenship test, secure means of support, a clean record and the commitment to the constitution. Details: German citizenship through marriage.
• Joint naturalisation (Miteinbürgerung, section 10(2) StAG): when you naturalise, your spouse or partner and minor children can be naturalised with you even if they haven't lived here for five years. As a guideline, spouses need around four years' residence and two years of marriage, children around three years – for children under six, half their life. They must meet the other requirements themselves.
• Birth in Germany (section 4(3) StAG): children of foreign parents become German at birth if one parent has lived here lawfully for five years and holds an unlimited right of residence – no naturalisation needed. More in German citizenship for children.
• Descendants of people persecuted by the Nazis: people who were stripped of German citizenship under the Nazi regime, and their descendants, have their own restoration route (Wiedergutmachungseinbürgerung) with different rules.

The fastest realistic route today

You can't shorten the five years, but you can make sure no time is lost once you reach them:

1. Check your residence period and permit: do all your years count as lawful residence, and do you hold a suitable permit such as a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or EU Blue Card? The essentials are in German citizenship requirements.
2. Get your B1 certificate early, not in year five. See how to prove B1 German.
3. Take the citizenship test in good time. The result arrives by post, normally after six to eight weeks, recently much later. Registration is explained in how to register for the citizenship test, and a practice exam shows whether you're ready.
4. Gather all your documents before you apply: passport, residence permit, proof of income, certificates with translations. The full list is in the documents checklist.
5. Apply as soon as you meet every requirement. Many authorities now accept online applications.
6. Allow for processing time – often many months, and more than a year in big cities. See how long German citizenship takes.