New dual citizenship law approved in Germany: To take effect on June 27

The "Modernization of the Nationality Act," which will facilitate dual citizenship in Germany, has been signed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and published in the Official Gazette today. It was announced that the new law will take effect starting June 27.

The draft law prepared by the German government was passed in the Bundestag on January 19 with 382 votes in favor and 234 against, and was approved by the Bundesrat (Federal Council) on February 2.

With this law, Turkish citizens living in Germany will have the right to acquire German citizenship without renouncing their Turkish citizenship.

WHAT DOES THE NEW LAW ENTAIL?

The required period of legal residence to apply for German citizenship will be reduced from 8 years to 5 years under the new law.

This period will be reduced to 3 years in cases where the applicant demonstrates integration into living conditions in the country, such as through academic or professional success, volunteer work, or special efforts in language learning.

Since dual citizenship is now permitted, the "option model," which previously forced young people to choose between their parents' citizenship or German citizenship by the age of 23, will be completely abolished.

Children born in Germany will be able to acquire German citizenship if one of their parents has legally resided in the country for at least 5 years, even if the parents are not German citizens.

Applicants for German citizenship must be able to support themselves and their dependents without relying on social welfare benefits.

The requirement for a written citizenship test will also be lifted for workers who arrived in the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) by June 30, 1974, under the Labor Recruitment Agreement, and for contract workers who arrived in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) by June 13, 1990.

Individuals who engage in antisemitic, racist, xenophobic, or other inhumane acts will not be granted German citizenship. Those wishing to acquire German citizenship must acknowledge the values of a free society as well as Germany's special historical responsibility regarding the National Socialist regime and its consequences.

Furthermore, those who are polygamists or who act in violation of the gender equality enshrined in the constitution will not be granted citizenship.

News Source: AA