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Germany is ready to adopt a new citizenship law that will make it easier for foreigners to obtain a German passport. A broader restructuring of immigration policy is also planned, aimed at solving the problem of reducing the country's workforce.
The bill, which will be presented to lawmakers in the coming months. Itwill allow people to apply for citizenship after five years of residence in Germany instead of the current eight. Those who have made special efforts for integration, for example, having mastered the German language, will be able to apply in three years.
It will also lift the ban on dual citizenship for people from non-EU countries, which means that immigrants will no longer have to renounce citizenship of their home country.
Meanwhile, immigration reforms based on Canada's points system will make it easier for qualified workers who do not have professional qualifications recognized in Germany to enter the country. Instead, it will be enough to have relevant work experience and a job offer.
This is one of a series of socially progressive measures proposed by the country's three-party coalition government. It wants to attract 400,000 skilled foreign workers annually to balance an aging population and labor shortages in key sectors.
An estimated 10 million people — about 12% of the country's population — currently live in Germany without a German passport, which excludes basic privileges such as the right to vote or work in certain government positions.
Source: CNBC
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
