Germany is reforming its citizenship law, streamlining the procedure to get German nationality. Dual citizenship will also become an option.

The German government has presented its new citizenship law this Wednesday (23.08.2023). The legislation proposed by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will make dual citizenship easier as well as naturalization for non-EU citizens.<

The new citizenship plans boil down to these changes:

  • Immigrants legally living in Germany will be allowed to apply for citizenship after five years, rather than the current eight; and if they have special achievements this can go down to only three years

  • Children born in Germany of at least one parent who has been living legally in the country for five or more years will automatically get German citizenship;

  • Immigrants above the age of 67 will be able to do an oral instead of a written German language test

  • 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 antisemitic, racist, xenophobic or other defamatory offenses that are seen to be “unreconcilable with commitment to the free democratic basic order.”

The new legislation will be debated in parliament and could come into effect in the fall.<

  • mackpack@feddit.de
    21·
    1 year ago

    At least the current implementation of dual citizenship seems to only come with advantages, but not any drawbacks for the person holding the dual citizenship. And it that’s the case one must ask why Germany (or any country for that matter) is seemingly incentivizing people to acquire a dual citizenship.

    Also from what I understand dual citizenship essentially only comes with disadvantages to the country or countries permitting their citizens from holding dual citizenship. If that’s the case, why should a country allow its citizens to hold dual citizenship?

    I’d be really curious to hear why a country should allow dual citizenship outside of possible attracting a small number of people who would not attempt to acquire that country’s citizenship if it meant they’d have to renounce their previous citizenship.

    • gravitasium
      72·
      1 year ago

      Many dual citizens pay double taxes in some way or another.

      Also, some countries are vindictive towards those who renounce their citizenship and make it very hard for such persons to enter, which is a pretty big deal for anyone leaving friends and family behind.

      Other countries don’t allow for revoking citizenship whatsoever.

      One reason to allow dual citizenship is to encourage immigration, especially of in-demand professionals who would otherwise be quite deterred by a one way ticket.

    • Nobsi@feddit.de
      3·
      1 year ago

      This is just the 5 year old argument with more words.
      What’s the reason dual citicenship is bad?
      Its’s bad because they have one more citizenship? Why is it bad?