Migration - Waiting period, dual nationality, tests: what now applies in nationality law
## Contents
- Waiting Period
- Citizenship at Birth
- Dual Citizenship for All
- Declaration of Commitment to the Liberal Democratic Order
- Integration Test is Partially Eliminated
- Fewer Exceptions for Recipients of Transfer Payments
The way to the German pass is getting shorter and multiple citizenships will become the norm. The reform of the citizenship law has been in effect since Thursday. Naturalizations should be processed faster and multiple citizenships should be possible in principle. Those who cannot support themselves or do not declare their commitment to the liberal democratic order in Germany will face greater obstacles. Here are all the changes at a glance:
Waiting Period
Naturalizations will be possible after five years instead of eight years, and even after three years in the case of "special integration services" – these can be particularly good achievements in school or work or civic engagement.
Citizenship at Birth
Children of foreign parents will receive German citizenship at birth if one parent has lived here lawfully for five years – until now, this was the case after eight years.
Dual Citizenship for All
Until now, only EU citizens could hold two citizenships in Germany. This exception is now the rule: For example, someone who comes from Bolivia can also take on the German citizenship.
Declaration of Commitment to the Liberal Democratic Order
A prerequisite for naturalization remains the declaration of commitment to the liberal democratic order. In addition, people must declare "special historical responsibility of Germany for the National Socialist unjust rule and its consequences, especially for the protection of Jewish life, as well as for peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of aggressive war."
The authorities must ensure that these declarations are sincere. If later evidence arises that this was not the case, the citizenship can be revoked within ten years.
Integration Test is Partially Eliminated
Those who came to the Federal Republic as guest workers or worked as contract workers in the GDR only need to prove oral German language skills for naturalization and do not have to take the integration test. This is justified in the reform law with the recognition of their life achievements and also because in the past, integration offers like language courses were scarcely made to them.
Fewer Exceptions for Recipients of Transfer Payments
Those who want the German pass must be able to prove that they can support themselves and their dependents. Those who were unavoidably dependent on social assistance or basic security until now had a special regulation. This should only apply to certain groups and cases in the future. This includes guest workers who have often worked in the low-wage sector and their spouses, as well as foreigners with full-time jobs who have worked for at least 20 months in the last 24 months. Foreigners who live as married or registered life partners with a minor child and a full-time employed partner are also excluded.
The reform of Germany's citizenship law, effective as of Thursday, aims to expedite naturalization processes. Under the new law, individuals may acquire German citizenship more quickly, even after three years in specific cases, such as those who have achieved exceptional results in school, work, or civic engagement.
The requirement for a commitment to the liberal democratic order remains intact, but now, non-EU citizens can also declare their acceptance of this commitment upon naturalization. For instance, someone born in Bolivia can potentially become a German citizen while maintaining their Bolivian nationality.
