Advantages of German Citizenship. your grandparents are German, but not your parents. How to Write an Invitation Letter for Visa Application? A child born to an American parent and a German parent acquires both American and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth. live, work, and study inexpensively in Germany. Yet the simplicity of the new one-time tax may appeal to others. By UN estimates, as of 2017, 12,165,083 people living in Germany are immigrants or their descendants, or about 14.8% of the German population. These benefits include the following: An unrestricted right to freedom of movement within Germany: free choice of residence and domicile How to Submit Proof of Accommodation for Visa Application? You cannot do so if another family member, i.e. So, if someone of German nationality wants to renounce their citizenship to avoid an obligation such as paying German taxes or talking part in military service, they will not be allowed to do so. Often, however, the countries with the best policies are also the hardest to immigrate into. It arguably has the highest standard of living based on the strength of its economy, its health and education systems and its general level of stability. If you live in Germany only as a permanent resident, you will be able to taste the life there, work and study, and benefit from many other things. Your application will then be reviewed and you will be informed whether the authorities have decided to grant you with citizenship or not. You can apply for German citizenship by acquiring an application form from your local immigration office, the town council, or a similar authority. German citizenship is usually forwarded from one generation to the next and many become aware of their German citizenship only after decades have passed. Remember that children under 18, adopted by German parents have the same right to get citizenship through ancestry. You can even work in either of these two nations without the need to apply for a working visa, or study there while enjoying tuition rates for citizens. Selective Service System within three months of his eighteenth birthday, and is not necessarily exempt from German military service. This process is … For more information, please go to Passports. Immigrant women who become eligible Global Mobility It is the most common way expats gain German citizenship. Becoming a U.S. citizen is the next logical step for most green card holders, especially if they intend to stay in the United States for the long term. However, if you do not have citizenship, you will be restricted in some others as: 1. you will not be able to vote, elect and be elected 2. you will not have the right of assembly and association 3. you will not have the right of consular protectio… The service given to me was very professional. However, if you do not have citizenship, you will be restricted in some others as: On the other side, if you hold German citizenship, you will have the right to all the above mentioned, and much more. This website uses cookies; some may have already been set. With dual citizenship, you can receive the benefits and privileges from both nations. The right to vote 2. you have been living in Germany for 8 years or more on the right, you have been living in Germany for 7 years on the right residence permit and you attended an, the applicant must prove German language proficiency of at least B1, the applicant must be financially independent, and capable of supporting themselves and their family without using state welfare benefits, the candidate must be a law-abiding citizen that had no criminal records, there is a naturalization test the applicant must pass, The candidate for naturalization must give up any previous citizenships, A German language certificate, as Zertifikat Deutsch, Certificate that proves you have completed a German secondary school, Admission letter to a German upper secondary school, Certificate that confirms you have completed at least 4 years of school in Germany with a passing grade, Proof of completion of higher education degrees in German, the city council (if you live in an urban area), the regional district office (if you live in a German district), the town council or any other local authorities, 3 questions are specifically about the region where you live, persons who cannot take the test due to old age, illness or disability, persons who have a higher education degree from a German university in politics, law or social sciences, Application form for children under 16 years old – 51 Euros, Naturalization/Citizenship test – 25 Euros, the couple must have been married for at least two years, the couple must have lived in Germany for at least three years, your parents registered you to the German authorities in the country you are born before you turn one year old (if you are to born in Germany). Below find a step-by-step guideline on how to apply for German Citizenship through Naturalization. Naturalisation involves going through an application process that can take several months. ; A child born to a U.S. citizen parent and a German parent acquires both U.S. and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth, if the parents satisfy the jus soli or jus sanguinis requirements of their respective countries. The acquisition of German citizenship through naturalization is associated with a whole series of advantages. If you get the citizenship, you will have to pay 25 euros to get the citizenship certificate. It offers individuals an extend level of privileges and benefits. We are monitoring the situation and may resume services should things change. German citizenship by naturalisation. Post Brexit, this is a huge advantage in ensuring the protection of your EU freedoms and rights, despite any changes that will inevitably, affect all UK citizens. In the Sovereign Man Passport Ranking, the German passport ranks as the 6th best in the world and gives holders visa-free access to 162 countries, including all of Europe, the US, Canada, and the UK. Naturalization is a process, which makes it possible for a foreigner to become a German citizen. YouTube. The other type, by right of blood or Jus Sanguinis means that you get German citizenship if you are a direct descendant of German citizens. Claim to retirement/pension. Both the United States and Germany recognize the concept of multiple nationality (Read more about German law on dual/multiple citizenship). Germany has an elaborate social security system that sees to it that its citizens live comfortably even if they're sick, disabled, unemployed or retired. This puts some restrictions in your status, and that is why so many permanent residents of Germany seek to get citizenship. The German passport is among the top three most powerful passports in the world. Section 9 of the Nationality Act permits spouses or registered same sex partners of German citizens to apply for German citizenship only after completion of three years of permanent residence in Germany. The right of free movement 3. For more information about how this website uses cookies please read the following page: Privacy Policy. Still, you should not let that scare you. 3. Benefits of Obtaining German Citizenship. The Citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest) is to verify your knowledge of German legal as well as social systems and living conditions in Germany.You will need to answer 33 questions in this 60 minutes test. You can apply for German citizenship if you fulfil residency requirements or have a German parent. An American-German male must register with the U.S. German citizenship by investment is being opened to foreign residents, investors, venture capitalists to invest and become German citizens. Close connection with family and friends (include dates and duration of visits from German relatives and friends in the US). List of the Pros of Dual Citizenship. The ability to work live and study in German at a very reasonable cost. Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world, after the United States of America. In addition, those born in a foreign country, whose parents were also born in a foreign country, cannot obtain German citizenship by descent after January 1st, 2000. General Rules. This is actualized after staying in the country for a minimum of eight-years. Some experts say the new law could deter some citizens or residents from leaving the U.S., since the benefits of doing so will be reduced. Once you reach the age of 18, you will have five years to decide whether you want German citizenship or your parents’ citizenship. The Rights of a U.S. Citizen After Naturalization. That being said, there are a lot of expat citizens living in Germany. Adults can submit your application yourself, but anyone under the age of 16 will need to submit your application. German-US Dual Citizenship: Process and FAQs. A detailed description of the requirements for naturalization (in German) can be found on this official webpage.. Security. Getting your German-US Dual Citizenship is quite a confusing and time-consuming process. Since Germany is a part of the European Union, a German citizen can travel and reside freely in any of the member states that are a part of the EU. Many of the benefits of U.S. citizenship, such as the assurances of equal protection under the law and due process of law are granted by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws to both citizens and non-citizens living as lawful permanent residents in the United States. The citizenship test. Immigrants to the United States who pass the civics examination and take the Oath of Allegiance to complete the … You will however need to apply for naturalization. Another way of getting German citizenship is by marriage. They take time and energy, but if you gain the German citizenship, it is all worth it in the end. German Citizenship. More than ever, restoring German citizenship is extremely desirable for a variety of reasons. Once you reach the age of 18, you will have five years to decide whether you want German citizenship or your parents’ citizenship. Ethnic Germans (“Aussiedler” and “Spätaussiedler”), assistance from an excellent consular service. Although TT is perhaps not quite the right place to ask this question, as it is a forum for English-speaking expats in Germany, I know that several members have attained German citizenship - there are some threads, for example I've decided to become German, that might provide interesting reading for you.. Also have a look at deutschland.de and bundesregierung.de, for more reading material. Since I just recently went through this process of becoming a German/US Dual Citizen, I wanted to share my personal experience, resources I found helpful and answer some of the most important questions that I have received from my readers about the … List of the Pros of Dual Citizenship. Please check the cases below and refer to the section that applies to your individual case. People that hold a dual citizenship have the privileges and benefits which come with citizenship from two different countries. How to apply for German citizenship. Many of the benefits of U.S. citizenship, such as the assurances of equal protection under the law and due process of law are granted by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws to both citizens and non-citizens living as lawful permanent residents in the United States. A person with German citizenship can receive a German passport which entitles the holder to: travel without a visa to 177 countries. 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