Citizenship / Naturalization – VISALABS

Naturalisation in Germany: Why You Should Review Your Situation Now

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:02:04 +0000

Germany’s Political Landscape Is Changing

The 2026 state elections show a clear increase in support for the AfD in different parts of Germany. The results were particularly pronounced in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but the party also gained significantly compared with previous elections in western German states and in Berlin. Pasted markdown

For people without a German passport, developments like these can understandably raise questions. How secure is my residence status in the long term? Could the requirements for naturalisation change again? And is now the right time to submit an application?

Our answer is deliberately not alarmist. An election result does not change your residence permit or an ongoing naturalisation procedure overnight. At the same time, it makes sense to take political developments seriously, especially if you already meet the requirements for naturalisation or are close to doing so.

Written By:

Hanna Holmberg

Legal Expert

Expertly reviewed by:

Daniel Dirmeier

Attorney at Law / Lawyer

You have been living lawfully in Germany for at least five years
You have German language skills at B1 level or are about to obtain them
You can secure your livelihood without social benefits
You have passed the naturalisation test or are preparing for it
Your application has been pending with the authority for several months

A Trend That Goes Beyond Individual Federal States

The results of the 2026 state elections vary considerably from one federal state to another. Nevertheless, one development stands out: the AfD gained significant support in several states. In Baden-Württemberg, it received 18.8 percent of the vote, compared with 9.7 percent in 2021. In Rhineland-Palatinate, it received 19.5 percent.

The increase was particularly strong in eastern Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD received 43.8 percent of the vote, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it received 38.2 percent. However, the development is not limited to these federal states. In Berlin, the AfD’s share of the vote also increased significantly in the 2026 House of Representatives election. While the party received around nine percent in the 2023 repeat election, it received more than 16 percent in 2026. Nationwide opinion polls also currently show higher support for the AfD than at the 2025 federal election. Pasted markdown

This does not mean that a particular future government or a specific change in the law can automatically be inferred from these results. Election results in individual federal states and political opinion polls must be distinguished from one another. They do, however, show that questions of migration and citizenship law are likely to remain politically contested in the coming years.

What Does This Mean for German Citizenship Law?

First of all, the most important point is that the current requirements for naturalisation remain in force. German citizenship law is federal law, which means that a state government cannot change the legal requirements for naturalisation on its own.

Strong election results for a political party in individual federal states also do not automatically lead to changes in the Citizenship Act. At the same time, citizenship law is not immutable. The legal requirements for naturalisation have been amended several times in recent years and may also be changed again by future political majorities. The federal states can also influence federal legislation through the Bundesrat and introduce their own legislative initiatives. Pasted markdown

For this reason, we consider two things equally important. There is no reason to panic, but it would also be unwise to assume that the requirements in force today will remain unchanged indefinitely.

If You Are Already Eligible for Naturalisation

If you already meet the requirements for naturalisation, it is worth considering whether there is a good reason to delay submitting an application for a long time. This expressly does not mean that you should "apply for German citizenship immediately before it is too late". Such a statement would neither be legally responsible nor is it possible to predict how citizenship law will develop in the coming years.
What can be said, however, is that naturalisation procedures take time. In some cities and districts, applications are processed comparatively quickly, while other citizenship authorities are significantly overloaded. Some of the people whose cases we take over have already been waiting a very long time for their application to be processed or decided. Pasted markdown
If you meet the requirements today and generally wish to become a German citizen, you should therefore bear in mind that a considerable amount of time may pass between deciding to apply for naturalisation and actually becoming naturalised. An early assessment can therefore be useful.
This means looking at questions such as whether you already meet the requirements, how your previous periods of residence will be taken into account, whether your current residence status is suitable for naturalisation, whether your income is sufficient, which documents are still missing and whether there are any particular issues in your case that should be clarified before submitting the application. Clarifying these questions early can help you avoid unnecessary time pressure later. Pasted markdown

Why Citizenship Can Provide Security

A German passport does not protect against every social or political development, and a sense of belonging does not begin with a document. People may have lived in Germany for decades, worked here, raised families, built friendships and long since become a natural part of this society, regardless of the nationality stated in their passport.
Legally, however, citizenship makes a significant difference. German citizens no longer require a residence permit. Their right to live in Germany no longer depends on whether they continue to carry out a particular type of employment, whether the requirements of a specific residence permit remain fulfilled or how residence law may change in the future. German citizenship also includes, among other things, voting rights and the rights associated with EU citizenship within the European Union. Pasted markdown
For many people, naturalisation therefore means more than simply receiving a new passport. It also means long-term legal security.

Political Debates Affect Real People

Discussions about migration, citizenship and belonging are often conducted in abstract terms. For people without a German passport, they often do not feel abstract at all. When political parties discuss stricter naturalisation requirements, restrictions on migration or who should be allowed to belong to Germany permanently, these debates can feel very immediate.

They affect people who work here, people who studied here, people whose children were born in Germany and people who have lived here for many years or even decades. They also affect people who have long considered Germany their home. Pasted markdown

That is precisely why we believe it is important to take political developments seriously without creating fear. This year’s election results do not mean that all existing rights will suddenly disappear. But they are a reason to take a conscious look at your own legal situation.

Our Advice: Know Where You Stand

If you are already eligible for naturalisation, now may be a good time to take a closer look at your options. If your procedure is already ongoing, current election results do not mean that you should assume your naturalisation has suddenly become impossible. And if you are still missing certain requirements, it can be helpful to know early what you still need and when submitting an application may make sense.

No one should make a personal decision as significant as naturalisation solely out of political fear. At the same time, you do not have to wait for the political climate to change further if you already know that you want to live in Germany in the long term and become a German citizen. Pasted markdown

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VISALABS Is Here to Support You

We assess whether and when naturalisation is possible, support ongoing procedures and handle communication with the competent authorities. We also know that this is not only about documents, legal provisions and file numbers.

Especially in politically tense times, it is also about something deeply personal: the security of truly having arrived in the place where you have built your life.

About Daniel Dirmeier

Daniel Dirmeier

Daniel Dirmeier, LL.M., founded VISALABS to make German residence law easier, faster and more transparent. Before that, he spent several years at international commercial law firms advising companies on the employment of international professionals.

He has since handled more than 1,000 procedures – from the EU Blue Card to naturalisation. As a certified specialist lawyer for employment law, he understands the needs of both employers and employees.

Not sure what this means for you?

Whether it’s naturalisation, a settlement permit or an ongoing application: in a free initial consultation, a lawyer personally reviews your situation and shows you the next steps.

EU Blue Card Germany 2026: The new salary thresholds and who can qualify

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:01:56 +0000

The salary thresholds for the German EU Blue Card change every year.

In 2026, the standard minimum gross annual salary is €50,700. A reduced threshold of €45,934.20 applies to shortage occupations, certain recent graduates and eligible IT specialists.

Applicants and employers should therefore make sure that they are not relying on outdated 2024 or 2025 figures.

Written By:

Hanna Holmberg

Legal Expert

Expertly reviewed by:

Daniel Dirmeier

Attorney at Law / Lawyer

Who needs to earn €50,700?

The standard threshold applies in 2026 where the employment does not fall within one of the reduced-threshold categories.

Salary alone is not sufficient. Applicants also require a concrete qualifying job offer in Germany, generally for at least six months, and must satisfy the remaining requirements of Section 18g AufenthG.

Who can use the lower €45,934.20 threshold?

The lower threshold applies to recognised shortage occupations.

These include, among others, academic STEM professions, medical doctors, pharmacists, certain nursing and midwifery professionals, teachers and educators, as well as specified management occupations in areas such as production, construction, logistics and IT.

Federal Employment Agency approval is generally required in these reduced-threshold cases.

EU Blue Card Salary Thresholds 2026

Standard threshold: €50,700 gross per year
Shortage occupations: €45,934.20
Degree obtained within the previous three years: €45,934.20
Certain IT specialists without a university degree: €45,934.20
The job offer must generally cover at least six months of employment
The salary thresholds are adjusted annually

Recent graduates can also benefit

The lower threshold is not restricted to shortage occupations.

If the applicant obtained their most recent university or comparable qualification no more than three years before the Blue Card application, the €45,934.20 threshold can apply even to employment outside the shortage-occupation list.

This is particularly important for international graduates entering the German labour market on an entry-level salary.

Can I obtain an EU Blue Card without a university degree?

In certain IT cases, yes.

Eligible IT specialists and managers can qualify without a formal university degree if they can demonstrate at least three years of relevant professional experience within the previous seven years. The experience must be at a level comparable to higher education and relevant to the position in Germany.

The reduced €45,934.20 salary threshold applies to this category in 2026.

What if my salary is just below the threshold?

The Blue Card may not be the only route.

A professional with an academic qualification may, for example, qualify for a residence permit under Section 18b AufenthG, which does not impose the same general salary threshold as the EU Blue Card.

It can therefore be useful to review the immigration options before rejecting a job offer or renegotiating a contract solely because the Blue Card threshold is not met.

Why do the salary thresholds change every year?

The thresholds are linked to Germany’s annual pension-insurance contribution assessment ceiling.

The standard threshold corresponds to 50 percent of the relevant annual ceiling, while the lower threshold is 45.3 percent. New euro amounts are therefore determined for each calendar year.

Conclusion

Not every EU Blue Card applicant needs to earn €50,700 in 2026.

The lower €45,934.20 threshold can apply to shortage occupations, certain recent graduates and eligible IT professionals without a university degree.

The salary figure should nevertheless never be considered in isolation. Qualification, job description, graduation date, professional experience and Federal Employment Agency approval may all affect eligibility.

Not Sure If You Qualify? Let's Find Out.

Whether it’s a first application, a job change or the step to a settlement permit: in a free initial consultation, a lawyer personally reviews your EU Blue Card situation and shows you the next steps.

Skilled Immigration Act: Labour Migration Has Doubled in 5 Years

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:50:00 +0000

Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act entered into force on 1 March 2020 with the aim of making the German labour market more accessible to qualified professionals from outside the EU.

Several years later, the impact can increasingly be seen in the data.

By June 2025, around 420,000 employees in social-security employment held a residence or settlement permit based on employment in Germany. In 2020, the figure had been just over 200,000. Labour migration within this group has therefore more than doubled.

Written By:

Hanna Holmberg

Legal Expert

Expertly reviewed by:

Daniel Dirmeier

Attorney at Law / Lawyer

The Skilled Immigration Act entered into force on 1 March 2020
Just over 200,000 employees held an employment-based residence title in 2020
By June 2025, the figure had increased to around 420,000
Around 164,000 third-country nationals in social-security employment held an EU Blue Card by mid-2025
The number of employed Blue Card holders increased by 114 percent compared with 2020
The Federal Employment Agency provided 23,600 consultations on professional recognition in 2025 alone

Germany has fundamentally redesigned skilled immigration

The original 2020 Act was only the beginning.

Further reforms entered into force in stages between November 2023 and June 2024. Eligibility for the EU Blue Card was expanded, new options were created for experienced professionals, the recognition partnership was introduced and the Opportunity Card established a new route for jobseekers.

One important shift is that full German recognition of a foreign qualification no longer has to be completed before entering Germany in every immigration route.

Vocationally qualified professionals are an important part of the system

Public debate often focuses on university graduates and the EU Blue Card.

However, Germany is also increasingly recruiting workers with vocational qualifications.

In 2025, 35,260 residence permits were issued under Section 18a to skilled workers with vocational qualifications. Another 29,251 permits were issued under Section 18b to academically qualified professionals, alongside 54,951 EU Blue Cards.

The EU Blue Card has grown particularly strongly

The development of the EU Blue Card has been especially significant.

By mid-2025, around 164,000 employees from non-EU countries in social-security employment held an EU Blue Card, an increase of 114 percent compared with 2020.

The 2023 reform lowered salary thresholds, expanded shortage occupations and opened the Blue Card to additional recent graduates and certain experienced IT professionals without a traditional university degree.

Recognition can now take place after arrival in some cases

The recognition partnership, introduced in March 2024, created another significant change.

Under this route, eligible professionals can enter Germany, begin qualified employment and conduct the formal recognition process after arrival.

Requirements include an appropriate foreign qualification, a suitable job offer, an agreement with the employer and generally German language skills at A2 level.

The Opportunity Card added a job-search route

Since 1 June 2024, the Opportunity Card under Section 20a AufenthG has provided another route.

Eligible third-country nationals can come to Germany to search for qualified employment without already having a permanent job offer. Depending on their qualifications, applicants can qualify directly as recognised skilled workers or through the points system.

Opportunity Card holders can generally work for up to 20 hours per week while searching and may undertake limited job trials.

Labour-market approvals have also increased sharply

The Federal Employment Agency issued more than 521,000 labour-market approvals in 2025.

This was 17 percent more than in 2024 and around 140 percent more than in 2021. More than three quarters of these approvals related to planned employment within skilled and labour migration.

The Agency also reports that around 99 percent of complete applications are decided within 14 days.

This is important because Germany’s immigration procedure involves several different authorities. Delays in an overall case therefore do not necessarily originate with the Federal Employment Agency.

More legal routes also mean more strategic choices

Germany’s skilled-immigration system is considerably more flexible than it was in 2020.

But greater flexibility also means that applicants may have several possible residence routes.

An academically qualified professional may qualify either for Section 18b or an EU Blue Card. Another applicant may need to compare the experienced-worker route, recognition partnership and Opportunity Card.

The question is therefore increasingly not simply whether someone can work in Germany, but which residence route provides the best basis for their professional and long-term plans.

Conclusion

Germany has opened its labour market considerably since 2020.

The number of employees with employment-based residence titles has more than doubled, while the legal system now provides several different pathways for international professionals at different stages of recruitment and qualification recognition.

The long-term success of the reforms will, however, depend on more than the number of people entering Germany.

Processing times, recognition of qualifications, access to permanent residence and whether international professionals ultimately decide to build their future in Germany will be just as important.

Daniel Dirmeier

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Dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley.

Not sure what this means for you?

Whether it’s naturalisation, a settlement permit or an ongoing application: in a free initial consultation, a lawyer personally reviews your situation and shows you the next steps.