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.
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