New rules for foreigners to obtain German citizenship: new rules

On Friday, February 2, the House of Federal States (Bundesrat) approved a reform of German citizenship legislation. Currently, foreigners wishing to obtain a German passport do not need to renounce their own citizenship.

Under the new rules, foreigners will be able to obtain German citizenship after five years of legal residence in Germany instead of eight. According to Deutsche Welle, the period for obtaining citizenship may even be shortened.

If the integration is "successful," the foreigner will be able to become a German citizen more quickly - the period will be reduced to three years.

It is noted that the foreigner will have to express commitment not only to the German Constitution but also to the protection of Jewish life.

At the same time, some clauses on citizenship have been removed from the law. According to the news agency, previously, foreigners who received social assistance due to illness or disability had the opportunity to become citizens, but now this information is not valid.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the relevant ministers are to sign the new citizenship law and send it to the federal president for final review and signature. The law has already been read in the Bundestag, where it also received support.

It is noted that in 2022, about 168 thousand foreigners became citizens of Germany. In general, foreigners living in Germany are relatively reluctant to apply for naturalization. Among people with foreign roots who have lived in Germany for at least ten years, the share of those who received German citizenship in 2022 was only 3%.