What are the ways to obtain German citizenship? Exploring the pros and cons of acquiring Citizenship in Germany, as well as the requirements, conditions, and necessary documents for obtaining a German passport. How to apply for German citizenship?
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Getting German citizenship is challenging, but achievable as the procedure is transparent. German nationality provides access to one of the most developed economies and social systems in the world. Holding a German passport enables visa-free travel and work in 174 countries without time limits. It is considered one of the most valuable travel documents, providing international mobility and a high quality of life.
What are the benefits of German citizenship?
Despite the complexity of the process, many strive to have this status because it opens up good prospects and opportunities, including:
- The right to free access to all professions in Germany
- Facilitated employment in any EU country
- The ability to conduct business in any European country
- Free movement throughout the European Union
- Privileges and simplified procedures for obtaining visas to visit many countries outside the EU
- Access to education in European universities
- The full right to participate in the electoral process, hold public office
- Access to the best medical care in Germany and throughout the European Union
- The right to social security benefits and assistance from the government
- Consular protection and support from German authorities abroad
- The ability to invite relatives to visit and, if necessary, assist in obtaining a residence permit or permanent residency
Being a full-fledged citizen also entails responsibilities, such as obeying the law, paying taxes, respecting local culture, and traditions.
Ways to acquiring citizenship in Germany
Thanks to changes in German legislation over the last decade, obtaining citizenship has become much easier. In addition to ethnic origin, naturalization is possible based on entrepreneurial activities, employment, marriage, and other factors. It should be noted that investing in Germany does not grant citizenship in the typical sense.
A child born
A child born on German soil automatically becomes a citizen in two cases:
- One of the parents has citizenship. If only the father has citizenship and paternity is in dispute, the child’s status will be determined based on the outcome of the paternity case.
- Both parents have permanent residency status for 8 or more years. In this case, the child will receive dual citizenship – of the parents’ country and Germany.
Citizenship at birth is determined only by the parents. Grandparents do not play a role in this process. There is also no chance of citizenship if the parents were in Germany as guests or tourists at the time of the child’s birth.
Adoption
An adopted child under 18 years old will receive a German passport after 3 years. This period is for adaptation and language learning. The child is exempt from taking exams in this case. The important condition is that both adoptive parents must be German citizens.
Marriage
If one marries a German citizen, they can obtain citizenship after 3 years of continuous residence in the country, including 2 years in marriage. The foreign spouse must have knowledge of the German language, pass a test on the laws and cultural peculiarities. If the marriage is dissolved during this three-year period, obtaining citizenship will be impossible.
A sham marriage is considered fraud and is punished with fines and a lifetime ban on entering all EU countries.
Repatriation
The German origin of relatives gives the right to apply for German citizenship under the law on repatriation. This right regulates the procedure for late resettlers. To do this, one must:
- have citizenship of one of the post-Soviet countries;
- have documents proving German origin from May 8, 1945 onwards;
- have knowledge of the German language at level B1.
Obtaining citizenship through repatriation involves several stages. First, documents are submitted to the Federal Administrative Office. The information is checked, and if everything is in order, an interview is scheduled. A positive decision means receiving an invitation to move to Germany, where a German passport is issued as soon as possible. Late resettlers receive additional benefits, social payments, and free courses from the state along with citizenship.
Good to know: Repatriation to Israel with Jewish Programs in 2023: Rules and Advices to get Israeli Citizenship
Naturalization
To obtain German citizenship through naturalization, foreigners residing in Germany must meet certain conditions. The process of naturalization does not require having German ancestors; the main requirement is to have resided in the country legally for a certain period. Initially, a national long-term category D visa is required, which is issued for up to one year for the purposes of education, medical treatment, work, or family reunification. Subsequently, a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) is obtained, which allows a stay of up to three years in the country with the possibility of extension.
It is important to note that permanent residency can only be obtained after living in Germany for more than five years with a residence permit based on work, education, business, or marriage.
Permanent residence permit issued to an applicant with knowledge of the German language (B1), as well as the basic laws, traditions, and culture of the country, provided they have stable income and housing (personal or rented), no outstanding pension contributions or legal violations.
To obtain citizenship through naturalization, the following conditions must be met:
- Continuous legal residence for eight years
- Sufficient income to support oneself and family members (without benefits or debts)
- Housing in Germany (owned or officially rented)
- Impeccable reputation before the Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and the laws of the EU
- Health insurance coverage
- Knowledge of the German language at level B1, understanding of the culture and customs of the country.
All the above conditions must be documented, and an application with a passport submitted to the immigration office at the place of residence. Additional documents may be required to satisfy the application.
Business activities
Entrepreneurs can also obtain German citizenship by fulfilling certain criteria related to business activities. The law allows a person to apply for citizenship if they have a visa for conducting business in Germany. The right to apply extends to all family members. The main requirements are that the commercial activity is significant for the country, attractive to investors, and has a minimum capital of 25,000 euros. The applicant must also work for their own business.
Germany has a favorable climate for those wishing to conduct business in the country. If the business operates in underdeveloped regions, state support is possible. Activities in the fields of agriculture and tourism are encouraged through preferential VAT.
The Blue Card EU
The Blue Card EU is a basis for obtaining a residence permit for employment purposes. The requirements for obtaining a Blue Card are as follows:
a signed employment contract with a German company for a position that matches the candidate’s qualifications, with a term of 1 year and a salary of one and a half times the average monthly salary in Germany; five years of professional experience in the relevant job profile; a recognized degree certificate.
The advantages of this option include a guaranteed high salary, compensation for health insurance, a full social package, and preferential permanent residency for all family members (after 2 years).
Other Ways to Immigrate
There are other ways to obtain German citizenship after a certain period of continuous residence in Germany:
- on the basis of refugee status
- immigration based on Jewish nationality
Documents Required to Obtain a German Passport
The standard set of documents required to obtain an Germany passport is as follows:
- a completed application in the prescribed form
- passports – foreign and civil; 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photographs
- proof of legal residency in Germany
- a certificate of proficiency in the German language
- a medical certificate from a local medical institution
- a certificate of income level sufficient to support the family
- a document stating the absence of benefits received
- proof of property ownership or a lease agreement for housing
- a police clearance certificate
- a document stating the absence of tax, contribution, and credit debts
Additional documents required depend on the grounds on which citizenship is being obtained, and may include documents such as birth certificates of children, adoption papers, marriage certificates, diplomas, employment contracts, ethnicity certificates, name change certificates, and others.
Dual Citizenship in Germany
The general condition for obtaining a German passport is to renounce citizenship of any other country. Dual citizenship in Germany is only permitted for Swiss nationals and citizens of EU countries. But here are exceptional cases:
- over 60 years of age
- when there is a deterioration in financial conditions (under the laws of another country, the right to property is completely lost, high tax rates are imposed on businesses, etc.)
- when it is impossible to renounce citizenship under the laws of the country
The renunciation of one’s citizenship has one significant disadvantage – the need to obtain a visa to visit one’s home country.
Reasons for Rejection acquiring citizenship in Germany
Cases where applications for German citizenship are rejected are quite common. The reasons for rejection include the following:
- an incomplete list of required documents
- insufficient or unstable income level
- fake documents
- illegal residence in the country
- problems with EU law
The applicant has the right to appeal the decision in court. The deadline for this is one week from the date of receipt of the official response.
While acquiring Citizenship in Germany can be challenging, it is entirely possible since the procedure itself is quite transparent. For further information, one may inquire with the German Migration Department.
