Many people dream of moving to Europe and living permanently. But fulfilling this dream is not easy at all. If the country is Germany then the way is friendlier. But this time the country has given great news for the aspirants.
In one of the most influential countries in Europe, the German parliament has passed a law slightly relaxing the provisions on citizenship and dual citizenship.
Chancellor Olaf Schaltz’s centre-left coalition government introduced a bill on citizenship and dual citizenship in Germany on Friday. When the bill went to the House, it passed by a vote of 382-234. Apart from this, 23 legislators abstained from voting.
Under the new law, anyone who has lived in Germany for five years will be granted citizenship. Citizenship was granted only after staying for eight years. In special cases, citizenship will be granted only after three years of residence. Although this opportunity was given after living for five years. In addition, a child born in Germany automatically acquires citizenship if one of the parents has lived legally in that country for five years. Until now, this benefit was given only after eight years.
For centuries, Germany had only granted dual citizenship rights to residents of European Union countries. But this time Berlin has relaxed this rule. As a result, thousands of German-born Turks who have lived in Germany for decades could become Turkish voters.
In a video message welcoming the new citizenship law, Schaltz said the law is for those who have lived and worked in Germany for decades.
However, the government’s citizenship law is not well received by the country’s centre-right main opposition parties. The law has been criticized, saying it would cheapen German citizenship.
