Anyone who studies in Germany and later wants to naturalise now faces a longer waiting period. The so-called three-year fast-track naturalisation, which allowed citizenship after three years in certain cases, has been removed. This guide explains what changed, which date applies, and what the change means for pending applications.
Short answer: The three-year route to naturalisation has been removed by an amendment to the German Nationality Act. According to the legal portal asyl.net, the change entered into force on 30 October 2025 and was published in the Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 256. The entitlement is now available after five years at the earliest. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The provision in § 10 subsection 3 of the Nationality Act, which allowed a shorter period of residence, has been removed.
- After the change, the entitlement to naturalisation arises after five years at the earliest.
- The legal portal asyl.net gives the entry into force as 30 October 2025, citing BGBl. 2025 I No. 256.
- For pending applications, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has issued a decree describing the procedure. It applies only there.
- Which other requirements apply to naturalisation is for the competent naturalisation authority to examine case by case.
What changed in German nationality law?
Until the change, the Nationality Act allowed an entitlement to naturalisation after a shorter period of residence where special integration achievements and German language skills at level C1 were present. This possibility is set out in subsection 3 of § 10 of the Nationality Act. According to asyl.net, it has lapsed, and the entitlement now arises after five years at the earliest.
For students, this means that anyone who planned to apply for German citizenship shortly after studies must allow for the longer period. The change mainly affects timing, not the basic conditions of the entitlement.
| Point | Status according to the source | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Entry into force | 30 October 2025 | asyl.net |
| Federal Law Gazette reference | BGBl. 2025 I No. 256 | asyl.net |
| Entitlement after residence | Five years at the earliest | asyl.net |
| Decree of North Rhine-Westphalia | Dated 22 October 2025, valid for NRW only | State decree of NRW |
How are pending applications handled?
A decree of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia dated 22 October 2025 describes how authorities there should deal with applications that have not been decided. According to the decree, the procedure can be put on hold with the consent of the applicant. The authority then states the date on which the five-year period is expected to be met. After that point, the procedure continues under the law then in force and is decided.
According to the decree, a person who does not consent receives a rejection because the legal basis of the entitlement has lapsed. The possibility of withdrawal must be pointed out. In case of rejection or withdrawal, a fee under § 38 of the Nationality Act is generally due, set between 25 and 255 euros. According to the decree, the removal of § 10 subsection 3 is not a reason for waiving the fee.
Other states have their own procedures. If you live in a different state, ask your naturalisation authority how it treats pending applications there. The North Rhine-Westphalia decree applies to that state and is not automatically valid elsewhere.
What does this mean for students?
The change affects above all those who wanted to use their stay in Germany to naturalise quickly. Students who remain after graduation now need to plan the time until naturalisation differently. An overview of your residence title helps here, because the length of your stay is the basis of the calculation.
The change does not answer every question. Whether you meet the other conditions after five years is for the naturalisation authority to check in your individual case.
Frequently asked questions
Does the change apply to applications filed before 30 October 2025?
How a pending application is handled is decided by the competent authority under the law applicable at the time. For North Rhine-Westphalia, the decree describes that procedures can continue under the law then in force. A general transitional rule for the whole federal territory is not stated in the source used here.
Can I still be naturalised after three years of residence?
After the change, the entitlement arises after five years at the earliest. Naturalisation after three years under the former rule is no longer available, unless another exception applies. If you are unsure, check the requirements with the authority.
Do I have to pay a fee if my application is rejected?
According to the NRW decree, a fee under § 38 of the Nationality Act is generally due in case of rejection or withdrawal, set within a range of 25 to 255 euros. The authority sets the amount at its discretion. Whether other states apply the same approach is not verified here.
Where do I find the wording of the provision?
The amended provision is § 10 subsection 3 of the Nationality Act. The current wording is published in the federal legal database of the Federal Ministry of Justice. For practical purposes, the version valid on the day of your application is decisive.
What if I live in another federal state?
Authorities in each federal state work with their own procedures, so the approach can differ. The decree from North Rhine-Westphalia applies only there. Ask your naturalisation office for its guidance on pending applications and on fees before you file.
Calculating the time: a worked example
The phrase “at the earliest after five years” describes a lower limit. The period starts with lawful residence, and the authority counts the periods under the rules of the law. A worked example illustrates the logic without making a prediction.
Assumption for the worked example: You came to Germany in September 2026 to study and have lived there lawfully since. Then the five-year qualifying period would be met in September 2031 at the earliest, unless an interruption counts. Whether an entitlement arises depends on the other conditions.
Which periods can the authority count?
How residence periods are counted follows the statute and the administrative provisions. Longer stays abroad can affect the calculation. Ask the authority how it assesses your previous stay before you file, so that you do not plan on a wrong basis.
For students who change study locations or spend a semester abroad, this question matters even more. The change makes documentation of your periods of residence more important, because any gap in the calculation can become visible.
Passend dazu
- Studying in Germany as an international student: the overview
- Naturalisation for students: requirements and process
- Naturalisation test: questions, process and costs
- Naturalisation costs: what the application costs in Germany (in German)
- Staying in Germany after your studies: which residence title fits
Sources: asyl.net: Changes to the Nationality Act in force on 30.10.2025, Decree of the NRW Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Gender Equality, Refugees and Integration, 22.10.2025 (ref. 511-26.13.-000016-2025-0014611)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
