The German parliament passed a law simplifying the procedure for acquiring German citizenship. Thus, Berlin seeks to attract more legal immigrants to solve the problem of shortage of skilled workers, writes the Financial Times.
According to the law, passed by 382 votes to 234, foreigners will be able to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence in Germany. Until now, it was necessary to live in the country for eight years. Those who have made special efforts for integration, for example, learned German or volunteered, will be able to apply for citizenship in three years.
Also, this law cancels the ban on dual citizenship for representatives of countries not part of the EU.
“We should make an offer to qualified people worldwide, as the United States and Canada do. We should express our gratitude to the people who come to this country and contribute to the preservation of our society,” said Interior Secretary Nancy Feiser.
As the FT notes, the adoption of this law distinguishes Germany from the background of other European countries, which, on the contrary, strengthens the criteria for naturalization for foreigners. For example, last month, the French parliament passed a law in which French-born children of immigrant parents will no longer receive citizenship automatically but must apply for it between the ages of 16 and 18.
However, at the same time as simplifying the procedure for acquiring citizenship, Germany also simplified the rules for deporting foreigners who are in the country illegally.