At the beginning of 2024, a new law on citizenship entered into force in Germany, which may interest Ukrainians living in this country. According to information published by DW, the new rules open up some opportunities for Ukrainians to obtain German citizenship.
- The main innovation of the law is that you need to live legally in Germany for only five years instead of eight to get a German passport.
- The second innovation is that foreigners who have obtained German citizenship will be allowed to keep their former passport or passports. Previously, only holders of passports of EU countries could not renounce their citizenship.
Children of foreigners will receive German citizenship without any additional conditions if at least one parent has lived in the country for at least five years. This only applies to children born after June 27, 2024.
Applicants for German citizenship must, according to the new law, provide for themselves and their family members independently and not depend on state social benefits. Exceptions may be made for those who have recently become unemployed and have worked full-time for at least 20 months in the previous two years.
Another restriction applies to people who commit "anti-Semitic, racist or other acts based on motives that insult human dignity." They will be denied a passport. They will also refuse those who demonstrate non-recognition of the equality of men and women, as well as polygamists.
Within ten years of naturalization, citizenship can be revoked if the applicant has cheated in the process of obtaining a German passport or indulged in anti-Semitic acts or statements after naturalization.
More than 8 million German residents have lived in the country for at least five years and, according to the new law, can now apply for a German passport if they meet all the conditions of the law.
Also, the new law allows you to get a passport under the accelerated procedure only after three years of residence in the country.
Conditions: special successes in integration or notable professional achievements. It is necessary to know the German language only at the C1 level.
Those who married a German citizen can also apply for a German passport after three years, there are no additional conditions for them.
Thus, according to the new law, the first Ukrainians who left because of the war can get German citizenship as early as 2025.
