Agree: Becoming a German citizen is now easier
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party (Grüne) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which formed the coalition government in Germany, were reported to have agreed to change the law facilitating dual citizenship.
According to the news of Süddeutsche Zeitung, with the draft law prepared by the German Ministry of the Interior, the government intends to significantly simplify the naturalization procedures, thus facilitating the integration of immigrants in the country. According to the 49-page bill, immigrants who have lived in Germany for many years will be able to become citizens faster.
The current 8-year requirement for naturalization in Germany will be reduced to 5 years. For those 67 and older, an interview will suffice instead of a written test as a prerequisite for naturalization.
The child of a foreigner who has lived in Germany and worked legally for 5 years can also become a German citizen earlier.
THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED TO THE TURKS
The citizenship law, which is due to be updated in Germany, is also closely related to the Turks, who make up the country’s largest foreign population. Turks who have to give up Turkish citizenship to become German citizens will be able to become dual citizens by taking German citizenship without giving up Turkish citizenship in the case of the new law.
After the Cabinet enacts the bill, it is expected to be passed to the Bundestag in the summer and become law.
Meanwhile, the objections of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) were also taken into account in the bill.
As a result of the FDP’s objections, only those who do not receive welfare and who have not been involved in any criminal activity can become citizens.
According to figures from the European statistics agency Eurostat, Germany’s naturalization rates are below the European Union average. According to data from the end of 2021, there are approximately 72.4 million German citizens and approximately 10.7 million foreign citizens in Germany with a population of 83.1 million. (AA)