Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

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Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 27 Jun 2024
In force Citizenship

Three-year fast-track naturalisation for exceptional integration

As part of the Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz, a three-year residence path to naturalisation was created for applicants demonstrating "special integration achievements" — typically C1 German, professional achievement, and volunteer engagement — alongside economic self-sufficiency.

Who it affects: Longer-term residents with strong language and integration track record.

Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 27 Jun 2024
In force Citizenship

Citizenship Modernisation Act — dual citizenship allowed, residency requirement cut

The Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz came into force on 27 June 2024. Multiple citizenship is now permitted (previously, most non-EU applicants had to renounce their prior nationality). The standard residency requirement for naturalisation was reduced from eight years to five, and to three years for applicants demonstrating exceptional integration. Children born in Germany to non-German parents acquire citizenship at birth if one parent has been lawfully and habitually resident for at least five years.

Who it affects: Non-German residents seeking naturalisation; children of foreign residents born in Germany.

BMI — New law on nationality takes effect (27 June 2024) ↗ · Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18