Local authority expresses apprehension regarding proposals on immigration and rental break adjustments - Government tackles migration and rent price regulations in cabinet meeting
Federal Government Tightens Migration and Citizenship Policies
In a recent cabinet meeting, Germany's federal government, headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has finalized a series of changes to its migration and integration policies, as outlined in the 2025 Coalition Agreement. The reforms aim to control migration, rein in family reunification, and modify other aspects of integration and housing.
The most impactful changes are related to family reunification and citizenship.
Family Reunification Restrictions
The government has decided to temporarily halt family reunification for refugees holding subsidiary protection status for a period of two years. This primarily affects Syrian refugees, as they account for a large percentage of subsidiary protection holders in Germany. During this period, tens of thousands will be barred from reuniting with their spouses or children. Starting August 1, 2025, a monthly quota of 1,000 people will be allocated for core family reunification (spouses and minor children).
The government contends that local municipalities and the integration system are under immense strain, prompting the need for these measures.
Adjustments to Citizenship Rules
The fast-track path to German citizenship, beneficial to well-integrated migrants applying after three years instead of the usual five or more, has been abolished. The minimum residency requirement for citizenship is now five years for most applicants, with exceptions for spouses of German citizens who can apply after three years, provided they have been married for at least two years.
These changes follow an increase in naturalizations, with over 200,000 people becoming German citizens in 2024, marking the highest number in 25 years.
While the coalition government maintained that these measures are essential to diminish "pull factors" for irregular migration and to manage the capacity of local communities to accommodate and integrate newcomers, human rights advocates have raised concerns over the psychological impact on refugees and the potential surge in irregular migration routes.
The rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) policy, which restricts rent increases in tight housing markets, has also been placed under discussion, with the Justice Ministry proposing an extension of four years. However, specific details about the extension have yet to be laid out in the coalition agreement or subsequent cabinet meetings.
These policy changes represent a substantial shift in Germany’s migration and integration approach, with clear implications for refugees, families, and foreign residents. As the situation with the rent brake unfolds, further updates are expected to be provided by the Justice Ministry.
- The recent tightening of Germany's migration and citizenship policies, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has led to the temporary halting of family reunification for refugees holding subsidiary protection status, affecting thousands of Syrian refugees who will be barred from reuniting with their spouses or children for the next two years.
- In a move to manage the capacity of local communities to accommodate and integrate newcomers, the government has also abolished the fast-track path to German citizenship, increasing the minimum residency requirement for citizenship to five years for most applicants, while spouses of German citizens can apply after three years if they have been married for at least two years.
