New Citizenship Law in Germany 2023

The German Cabinet passed a draft bill to ease the citizenship rule and the “New German Law to Grant Citizenship to Foreigners” who have been working and living in Germany for the last five years. Under this new rule, citizenship will now be granted in five years instead of eight years. According to the German Ministry, there are 12 million foreign nationals currently in Germany. The new law also states that Citizenship is possible after three years for those who have achieved outstanding performance at work or do voluntary work, speak German well, and are financially independent. All children who are born to foreign parents will receive a German Citizenship unconditionally. All people who are interested in working in Germany can apply for a German visa. Germany welcomes and gives visas. 

Key Points on New Citizenship Law in Germany 2023

The Ministry said that 12 million foreign nationals are currently in Germany, among which 5.2 million have been living for the last five years.

• Citizenship by naturalization will be granted after five years of residing in Germany instead of eight years.
• Naturalization after three years will be possible for those who have achieved outstanding performance at work or do voluntary work, speak German well, and are financially independent.
• All children born to Foreign parents will be granted Citizenship if one of their parents has been living in Germany for more than five years.

Fast track to becoming German

To date, Germany's standard procedure for foreigners living and working in the country legally was to make naturalization as a German citizen available as an option after eight years. 

Among the articles tabled in the draft proposal is a change to this standard period down to only five years of a foreigner having to reside and work in the country legally. If applicants can prove a high level of integration in Germany, which includes possessing an advanced level of German language skills, they would even be able to obtain citizenship after only three years. However, these changes would only apply to people who have full residency and work rights throughout this period and no criminal record.

Multiple nationalities to be allowed

Many foreigners are, above all, excited about the prospect of Germany ending its long tradition of generally only allowing single citizenship. Allowing multiple citizenships is seen as a cornerstone of the draft law, although several opposition parties disagree with its inclusion. Greta Agustini, a lawyer who specializes in immigration to Germany, said the change would finally put Germany in line with "(o) the European countries, such as Italy, Sweden, Ireland, France, etc., [which] allow dual citizenship, and they have less bureaucratic laws regarding this issue."The idea of dual and multiple citizenships has long been regarded among German politicians as a lack of commitment to Germany and its liberal values to the exclusion of any other nationality. However, Interior Minister Faeser highlighted the importance of allowing for dual citizenship, saying that with this change in law, people living in Germany will no longer be "forced to give up part of their identity." To appease at least some of the opponents of the law, the wording of the draft proposal stresses that German citizenship will be lost if an individual "joins the armed forces or a comparable armed association of a foreign state or by concrete participation in combat operations of a terrorist organization abroad."

3 Ways to Get German Citizenship

There are three common ways to apply for the German Citizenship. Let’s discuss each of them one by one below:

1) German Citizenship by Naturalization

You can become a German Citizen by Naturalization after living in Germany for five years or three years. Previously, it was eight years. This change has been made in the German New Law on Citizenship to Grant Citizenship to Foreigners in five or three years.

Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen of a country can acquire citizenship or nationality of that country.

2) German Citizenship by Birth

You are automatically a German citizen if at least one of your parents is a German citizen.

A change has been made in German New Citizenship Law for Foreign citizens. All children born to Foreign parents will be granted Citizenship if one of their parents has been living in Germany for more than five years.

3) German Citizenship by Marriage

Foreign nationals can also obtain German citizenship by marrying a German citizen. However, they are eligible for Citizenship if they have lived in Germany for three years. And their marriage has lasted at least two years.

Citizenship Requirements for Germany

1. You must have lived legally in Germany for at least three years according to the new German citizenship law 2023

2. Clean Criminal Record.

3. You must be able to support yourself financially

4. You must have a sufficient command of the German language.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Citizenship Law in Germany

1. How can I speed up my German citizenship?
Brush up on your language skills

2. Is Germany good for citizenship?
A number of studies also claim that the German passport is the best in the world, based on rankings considering “travel freedom” and the ability to visit a country without needing a visa. A person with German citizenship can receive a German passport, which entitles the holder to travel without a visa to 177 countries.

3. Does Germany allow dual citizenship?
Germany allows dual citizenship.

Conclusion

Access to Germany is now become easier. Now it is easier for foreigners to migrate to Germany for work and get citizenship. One easy way is to apply for part-time Jobs, and get experience. Apply for the Work Visa after your graduation.