Germany is working on simplifying the acquisition of citizenship and the possibility of acquiring dual citizenship.
This Wednesday (23/08/2023), the German government presented a new citizenship law. This initiative by Home Secretary Nancy Feather aims to make dual citizenship as well as naturalization easier for non-EU nationals.
“We will attract the most qualified people in the world only if they can become a full part of our society with all democratic rights for the foreseeable future,” emphasized Feiser.
What changes are expected:
- Immigrants legally living in Germany will be allowed to apply for citizenship after five years instead of eight; and if they have special achievements – maybe in three
- Children born in Germany to at least one parent who has legally resided in the country for five years or more will automatically receive German citizenship;
- Immigrants over the age of 67 will be able to take an oral instead of a written exam in German;
- Multiple citizenships will be allowed.
People living entirely on state support will not be eligible for German citizenship. German citizenship will be denied to people who have committed anti-Semitic, racist, xenophobic or other defamatory crimes deemed “incompatible with commitment to a free democratic basic order.”
The new legislation will be debated in parliament and could enter into force in the autumn.