photo: pxhere.com
Federal Government of Germany approved a draft law to simplify the process of obtaining citizenship of the country and speed up the integration of immigrants. The Associated Press (AP) reported this information.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feather said that a modern immigration law is being created that takes into account the diversity of society. She emphasized that the reform was the result of many years of debate.
According to the bill, obtaining German citizenship will be available to people who have lived in the country for 5 years or 3 years in the case of “special achievements in the field of integration”. Children born in Germany will automatically be considered citizens if at least one parent has legally resided in the country for at least 5 years. This change in the law will also end restrictions on dual citizenship.
Citizenship applicants will have to prove that they are able to provide for themselves and their families without government help.
The aim of the bill is to attract more people to Germany skilled workers and solve the labor shortage.
This bill, which was approved by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and members of the government, requires the approval of the Bundestag. Discussion of the proposal in the Bundestag will take place after the end of the summer holidays, and the amended legislation may enter into force in January 2024.
The opposition Christian Social Union (CSU) criticized the proposal. CSU Bundestag member Andrea Lindholz said the government is sending the “wrong signal” as local authorities struggle with huge numbers of new migrants and tackling “illegal migration” should be a priority.
Currently around 14% of German population, i.e. approximately 12 million people, do not have the country's citizenship, although about 5 million of them have already lived in Germany for at least 10 years. The naturalization rate in Germany is well below the EU average.