Foreigners gain right to German citzenship
It has now become easier to become a German citizen. The main advantages are that you can vote in German elections, and there are no restrictions on the jobs you can hold. The biggest change concerns children born here. Up to now, German nationality has been based on the principle of blood ties: you could be German only if one of your parents was German. From January 1, 2000, children born in Germany to non-German parents automatically receive German nationality if, at the time of birth, at least one parent has lived legally in Germany for a minimum of eight years and has a permanent residence permit (either an Aufenthaltsberichtigung or, for at least the past three years, an unbefristete(unlimited) Aufenthaltserlaubnis). In such cases, there is no need to apply for German citizenship; your child will automatically be registered as a German. Because children normally acquire the nationality of their parents, your child will have dual (or possibly multiple) nationality. However, before reaching the age of 23, your child will have to decide which nationality to keep. If s/he decides to keep that of the parents — or fails to contact the authorities — the German nationality will be revoked. If your child decides to keep German nationality, s/he will have to prove that the parents’ nationality has been given up. Only in cases where this is not legally possible can both nationalities be retained. To do so, the person in question must apply for dual nationality before turning 21. As in the past, children who have one German parent and one non-German parent automatically get German nationality and can keep this alongside the other nationality. Special transitional rules apply to children who were born in Germany to non-German parents between February 2, 1990 and December 31, 1999. In these cases, you have until December 31, 2000 to apply for German citizenship for the child. To do so, at least one parent must have met the above residence requirements at the time of the birth and, at the time of the application, possess a valid unlimited residence permit. The rules for adults who wish to take German citizenship have also been relaxed. You now need to have been living in Germany for eight years (three to five years if you are married to a German). Also, you must be able to prove that you support yourself financially, have a “satisfactory” command of German and not have committed a serious crime or indulged in unconstitutional activities. If you meet these conditions, your spouse and children can also become German, even if they have not been here for eight years. Again, you will have to give up your original nationality. German citizenship costs DM 500 for adults; DM 100 for children. If you live in the city of Munich, applications have to be made to the Kreisverwaltungsreferat (Ruppertstrasse 19, Tel. 233 204 68/73); if you live in the Landkreis München, apply to the Landratsamt (Mariahilfsplatz 17, Tel. 622 10). The foreigners’ advisory council (Ausländerbeirat) can also advise: Burgstrasse 4, Tel. (089) 233 924 54. For questions relating to your existing nationality, contact your country’s embassy or consulate. <<<