Germany’s parliament approves easing dual citizenship

Germany’s parliament approves easing dual citizenship

German lawmakers have voted in favor of changing the law, which would open up the possibility of dual citizenship to swaths of the population. The bill would also reduce the time needed to qualify for naturalization.

The German government says the law should help make Germany more attractive to skilled workers internationally, helping to ease stifling labor shortages.

What are the rule changes?
Under the new law, foreigners would be able to apply for a German passport after five instead of eight years in Germany. In cases where applicants are “exceptionally well integrated,” naturalization would be possible after three years.

Dual nationality is usually only allowed for citizens of other EU countries or Switzerland, although it is permitted for other immigrants in certain exceptional cases.

The loosening of the rules would make it possible to gain direct access to dual citizenship no matter where the applicant comes from.

Germany’s interior minister said the change would help attract much-needed skilled workers as the country struggles with labor shortages.

“We have to keep pace in the race to attract skilled labor,” said Nancy Faeser ahead of the vote.

“That means we need to make an offer to qualified people from the world over, just as the United States and Canada do. German citizenship is obviously part of that.”

The move would allow tens of thousands of Turks, including third-generation immigrants whose parents and grandparents arrived from the 1950s to 1970s as “guest workers,” to become citizens and voters.

While the legislation is broadly aimed at making naturalization easier, the government wants to make it more difficult for people who cannot support themselves or who do not support the “free, democratic basic order in Germany.”