Speedy German Citizenship Saga: Few "Turbo-Naturalizations" in Saxony-Anhalt's Rearview Mirror
Large-scale corporations in Saxony-Anhalt reportedly accelerating their operations - Commission is tasked with drafting a plan for a legislative directive on instituting a tax system based on the worth of agricultural commodities.
Let's talk about the old days, shall we? You remember, the time when well-integrated wanderers could become fellow Germans in just three years - the so-called "turbo-naturalizations." But hold the celebratory beer steins, folks, 'cause it seems these little speed racers are history in Saxony-Anhalt. So, how's the story unfolded, you ask?
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Over the past year or so, integration whizzes could've been stamped with German passports in a jiffy - apart from in Saxony-Anhalt, that is. It's a dry spell as far as these "turbo-naturalizations" are concerned. In Halle an der Saale, there's been just one such chase, and a doctor was let in through this shortcut in the Burgenlandkreis, as reported by a spokesperson.
The district of Stendal has seen zero sprints to German citizenship, as a quick nosey by the German Press Agency revealed. The districts of Börde and Saalekreis have applications on the table, but they're still under review. As for Magdeburg, they've been ultra-secretive about the numbers, but a spokesperson did reveal that the few who beat the 'five-year-rule' are merely exceptions to the rule.
The federal government is now strapping on its political boots, eager to scrap this fast-track option. The regulation was a part of a citizenship law reform that took effect on June 27, 2024. Under the new law, those granted German citizenship could hold onto their previous nationality. Plus, those with five years under their belt in Germany were now enough to qualify, instead of the old eight.
However, the freshly formed CDU/CSU and SPD coalition government doesn't want to stand in the slow lane. They plan to wipe out the possibility of reducing the period to three years, especially for academic or professional hotshots. The first round of debate is scheduled for June 26 in the Bundestag.
But while the bigwigs argue, local authorities are drowning in a sea of naturalization applications. In the state capital, for instance, about 450 applications are swimming in the system. "We’ve got around 2,600 in total," explained a spokesperson. Processing times vary, depending on the documents required for identity clearance, and can range anywhere between three months and a whole five years. And here's the kicker: not every application is approved, and the number of rejected applications is on the rise. They've beefed up their team, and last year saw the introduction of a digital application for naturalization.
The city of Halle seems to be racing ahead in the naturalization marathon. From January to the end of May this year, 565 applications were handed in, up from 415 in the same period last year. The average processing time clocks in at 12 months. The district of Börde hasn't shared the numbers, but they've reported a significant spike in naturalization applications, and more people have been naturalized as a result. From January to the end of May this year, 219 folks were welcomed into the German family, compared to 84 in the same period last year. The current average processing time hovers around 18 months.
Patience is a virtue, as they say, and applicants in Stendal, Saalekreis, and elsewhere have to wait an awfully long time. For example, Stendal has a waiting period of about 23 months from the time an application is submitted to the final verdict.
Remember, the turbo-naturalization road is closed for business, but the five-year-long highway remains open. Let's see what the future holds for wannabe Germans and the country they're eagerly wanting to join.
Enrichment Data:
As we bid farewell to the fast-track naturalization option, let's take a walk down memory lane. In the law enacted by the SPD-Greens-FDP coalition back in June 2024, eligible applicants could secure citizenship after merely three years, thanks to the so-called "turbo-naturalization."
However, in a surprising turn of events, the new CDU/CSU and SPD coalition government has decided to scrap this accelerated route, returning to the minimum residency requirement of five years for all naturalization applications. It's part of a broader tightening of migration and citizenship policy enforced by the new administration.
Unfortunately, no district-specific data regarding processing times is currently available for Magdeburg, Halle, Stendal, or Saalekreis. Despite this, applicants should expect the standard national requirements and processing practices to apply uniformly across Saxony-Anhalt.
Vocational training opportunities in the German community could help integrate newcomers, especially in light of the government's plans to increase the residency requirement for citizenship to five years. As the debate over policy and legislation continues in the Bundestag, it is essential to consider the role of education and vocational training in the overall integration process.
In addition, as naturalization applications pile up and processing times lengthen, it may be beneficial for local authorities to explore cooperative partnerships with vocational training organizations. Such partnerships could help expedite the integration process for those seeking to become German citizens, thereby reducing the wait times and increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
