Olaf Scholz called on foreigners to obtain German citizenship

What has happened? Major changes to the German citizenship law are just around the corner. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged foreigners living in Germany to apply for a passport. This happened during his speech on the Machiavelli-Rap und Politik podcast.

Quote. "I would like to encourage everyone who is currently here, if they do not have German citizenship, to obtain it if the prerequisites are met," Scholz told.

The Chancellor stressed that migrants have given so much to Germany and that applying for citizenship will give such people the opportunity to take part in the politics of the country in which they have chosen to live their lives.

Context. At the moment, only EU passport holders can apply for dual German citizenship, and only people with a German passport can vote in federal elections. If Germany's new citizenship bill passes through the Bundesrat on September 29, a huge number of people living in Germany with permanent resident status are expected to apply for a passport.

What will be the new criteria for applying for German citizenship?

 Under the newest draft, approved by cabinet ministers on August 23, 2023, migrants living in Germany will be able to apply for a German passport after five years of residence, rather than eight.

In certain circumstances, where good German skills, voluntary work or impressive achievements at work are proven, some people will be able to apply for a German passport just three years after moving to the country.

Additionally, the new law will allow non-EU citizens to have dual citizenship with their new German passport. Until now, only EU citizens could keep their original passport and their German passport simultaneously.

Under the new bill, children born to foreign parents will be eligible for citizenship if one of their parents has been legally resident in Germany for five years rather than eight. 

Language requirements for those over 67 years of age applying for citizenship will also be relaxed, a move which Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said is an acknowledgement of work of the Gastarbeiter generation in Germany. 

Source: I am Expat

Photo by Maheshkumar Painam on Unsplash

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