Germany tightens immigration laws unprecedentedly
The German government, led by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt from the CSU party and Chancellor Olaf Merz, has agreed to adopt a stricter approach to immigration policy. In the first steps of this direction, the cabinet approved two drafts of laws aimed at reducing immigration and limiting available integration pathways.
The first project concerns the suspension of family reunification for refugees granted "subsidiary protection", meaning those who are not recognized as refugees under the Geneva Convention but cannot be returned to their countries due to threats such as torture or execution. Currently, 1000 relatives from this category are allowed to enter Germany each month. However, according to the new amendments, family reunification will be prohibited for two years, with exceptions for "extraordinary cases", the criteria for which have not yet been clarified.
The second amendment concerns the abolition of what is known as "fast naturalization" (Turbo-Einbürgerung), which allowed highly integrated immigrants to obtain citizenship after only three years. This decision came after repeated objections from opposition parties, especially the Christian Union, although other amendments to the citizenship law approved by the previous "Ampel" government (SPD, Greens, FDP) will remain in place, including reducing the required residency period for naturalization from eight to five years and allowing dual citizenship.
These new policies have faced severe criticism from human rights organizations and churches, which emphasize that family reunification and facilitating naturalization are among the most important tools for supporting integration into society.
On another note, the Cabinet approved the extension of the rent control law (Mietpreisbremse) until 2029. This law, which was first enacted in 2015, sets a cap on rent increases in high-demand areas, so that the increase does not exceed 10% of local rates. The decision grants state governments the authority to declare certain areas as tight housing zones, thus applying the law there after 2025 as well.
Despite the criticisms directed at this law, which argue that it has not effectively stopped the rise in prices, the Ministry of Justice believes that it has at least contributed to "slowing down" the pace of increase. The concerned minister, Stefanie Hubig from the SPD party, emphasized that "housing should not become a luxury commodity."