German coalition government reaches agreement on new citizenship law

Members of the government coalition, consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens, have reached an agreement on the new citizenship law.

The law is expected to be discussed in the Bundestag in January. If the bill, which had its first reading in parliament on November 30, is enacted, it will pave the way for dual citizenship for Turks living in the country.

What does the bill include?

If the bill becomes law, the right to dual citizenship, which was previously applied to citizens of a limited number of countries, will be extended to everyone, and the requirements for foreigners to be granted German citizenship will be eased.

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Accordingly, the "legal residence period" required for naturalization will be reduced from 8 years to 5 years. This period could be reduced to 3 years for those who demonstrate special efforts to integrate into German living conditions, such as being successful in their field of work or education, or engaging in volunteer work.

The bill, which allows for dual citizenship, will also permit multiple citizenships. At the same time, the regulation stating that those who acquire the citizenship of a foreign country lose their German citizenship will be abolished.

Foreign children born in the country will be able to receive a German passport if one of their parents has legally resided in Germany for 5 years. Furthermore, children will be able to hold dual citizenship by retaining their parents' citizenship as well.

The bill also includes provisions for "guest workers" who came to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) until June 30, 1974, under the Labor Recruitment Agreement, and to the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as contract workers until June 13, 1990.

News Source: AA