Whizzed-Up Naturalization: Only One Known "Turbo-Citizenship" in Brandenburg So Far
Brandenburg undergoing process of 'Accelerated Citizenization' or 'Turbocharged Integration of Citizens' - Proposals Already Presented by the Commission for Related Measures
Venture into the world of beer, bratwurst, and bureaucracy as we explore Brandenburg's approach to the iconic turbo-naturalization process. The black-red coalition in Berlin aims to do away with the regulation that offers German citizenship to well-deserving immigrants after just three years of residence. Currently, rumors swirl that only one passport has been provided through this speedy process, as confirmed by Brandenburg's Interior Ministry.
The Union, always the skeptic, has never been fond of the turbo-naturalization scheme, arguing that no one can truly adapt to German living conditions that swiftly. Brandenburg’s Interior Minister, René Wilke, of the independent persuasion, echoes similar thoughts - five years, he thinks, would be a much more fitting timeframe for a life-altering decision like this. With the added burden on local authorities factored in, five years seems far more realistic.
Last year alone, no less than 3,770 people were naturalized in Brandenburg, marking the highest number in over two decades. Syrians led the pack in terms of naturalizations. In 2023, approximately 2,490 naturalizations occurred in Brandenburg, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. Across the nation, roughly 7% of all naturalizations in 2024 took place after the reduced residence period of three years.
The municipalities are grappling with an overwhelming influx of naturalization applications, causing longer-than-planned processing times. For instance, the city of Frankfurt (Oder) sees a whopping five times more applications as compared to five years ago, with approximately 250 applications in 2024. Completing these takes about two years, reported Mayor Claus Junghanns (CDU). “The colleagues are working around the clock."
The new citizenship law, effective since 2024, grants naturalization claims after five years, replacing the previous eight-year requirement. However, especially integrated foreigners can still become German citizens after three years, provided they excel in areas like education, employment, language skills, or volunteer work. The green light for dual citizenship remains active as well.
Intriguing diversions lie ahead as we dig deeper into the muddy waters of turbo-naturalization:- Turbo-Naturalization: R.I.P. The fast-track citizenship rule is no longer a thing, thanks to a broader reform agreed upon by the CDU/CSU and SPD in May 2025 [1][2].- The Silent Masses. Numbers of individuals affected by this policy in Brandenburg are mostly under wraps, keeping heads guessing.
- Brandenburg
- Citizenship Law
- Naturalization
- Federal Government
- Wilke
- Potsdam
- Berlin
- Interior Ministry
- Amidst discussions about the revised citizenship law, Brandenburg's Interior Minister, René Wilke, advocates for a five-year waiting period for naturalization, expressing concerns about policy-and-legislation related to community policy and general-news.
- The fast-track naturalization scheme, once a topic of controversy in Brandenburg's politics, has been abolished, leaving vocational training and other integrative factors as key considerations in the newly introduced citizenship law under the federal government.
