Germany enacts dual citizenship legislation
The Bundestag has passed a significant reform to Germany's citizenship law, intended to speed up the process for people with a migration background living in Germany. This new law, set to come into effect from April 2024, could potentially boost the economy and political landscape of Berlin, especially for its growing immigrant population.
The new law will allow for dual citizenship, a relaxation of the rule that demands a person renounce their original nationality to claim a German passport. This change is expected to affect a significant number of long-term residents in international Berlin who aren't currently citizens.
Under the new regulations, it will be possible to become a German citizen in just five years of residency, with certain criteria met. This could potentially incentivize a workforce to stay in Berlin, contributing to the city's economy.
The new law is expected to help the 12 million immigrants who live, work, and pay taxes in Germany to apply for German citizenship. In Berlin, where a quarter of the city's residents can't vote in most elections due to not having citizenship, this change could increase the percentage of the city that can fully participate in the political process, offering a more accurate representation of voices in government.
The number of people with a migration background in Berlin is growing by tens of thousands every year. As of June 2023, there are around 1.5 million people with a migration background in Berlin, naturalising at a rate of under 10,000 a year. The Berlin Ausländerbehörden are facing a backlog of 27,000 citizenship applications and a spate of lawsuits, possibly indicating unpreparedness to handle the influx when the law passes.
The new German citizenship law could offer a sense of security or "insurance" to those living in Berlin. By allowing for dual citizenship, immigrants can maintain their cultural ties while benefiting from the rights and protections that come with German citizenship.
The newly confirmed reform of Germany's citizenship law is one of the biggest political changes affecting foreigners in Berlin this year. It is expected to be officially enshrined by President Steinmeier during one of the Bundesrat sittings, scheduled for February 2nd or 22nd.
This law is expected to help thousands of Berliners gain citizenship, potentially boosting the economy and offering a more inclusive political landscape for the city. It's a step towards a more diverse and vibrant Berlin.
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