Family reunification for refugees: government announces drastic cuts!

Family reunification for refugees: government announces drastic cuts!

Vienna, Österreich - The German federal government decided on May 28, 2025 to restrict family reunification and to tighten the naturalization conditions. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) announced this. The aim of these new regulations is to reduce so-called "pull factors" in immigration policy in order to relieve the capacities of the cities and municipalities for the inclusion and integration of refugees. According to these new decisions, family reunification is suspended for certain refugees and the requirements for naturalization are complicated.

The new law should be affected by the new law, i.e. persons who do not receive asylum status but cannot be deported to their home countries. Around 380,000 people, including the majority from Syria, could no longer apply for a family reunification according to the changes. The regulation stipulates that only close relatives, such as spouses, registered life partners and minor children, can move to Germany in the next two years. Hardfalls are only taken into account under special, non -defined circumstances, which the critics get. In the previous year, up to 12,000 members of subsidiary protected persons have so far been able to come to Germany.

changes in naturalization

Another central point of the new regulations concerns naturalization. The previous "turbo institution", which enabled it well integrated immigrants to apply for German citizenship after three years, is abolished. In the future, applicants will have to live in Germany at least five years in order to be able to apply for naturalization. The requirements, such as proof of a permanent job and good language skills, remain. This measure, on the other hand, has polarized: While some experts welcome that quick naturalization cause less pressure on the integration systems, others warn of the psychological and social consequences of the extended waiting period.

Pro asylum, one of the leading refugee organizations, has a sharp criticism of the new regulations and describes the suspension of family reunification as the "family destruction law". She argues that such measures close legal escape routes and families are already under great pressure. The migration and labor market expert Herbert Brücker also warned that such changes could bring psychological stress for the families concerned.

reactions and outlook

The planned changes have not only triggered criticism. The Secretary General of the ÖVP, Nico Marchetti, commented positively and sees Austria in the role of a pioneer in European migration policy. In addition, the accelerated naturalization of highly qualified migrants is still being discussed, since experts represent different views on the effects on the labor market and integration.

In view of the increasing number of refugees in recent years - in 2024 over 200,000 people have been naturalized, the highest value in 25 years - the opposition in Germany becomes louder. While the Greens and Left Party are against the measures and demand more open migration policy, the AfD criticizes the suggestions as inadequate.

The legally proposed changes must be approved by the Bundestag before they can enter into force. The Federal Ministry of the Interior strives for implementation before the parliamentary summer break.