Germany is a well-developed and well-suited EU country. Her legacy and history attract people from all over the world, but not only that interests society. It also has economic stability with which few countries can compete.
Before the war, only native Germans and their family were able to immigrate to Germany. But a few years later a law was introduced that allowed people whose ancestors were ethnic Germans to move to their homeland. Under the same laws, if a migrant has lived in Germany for more than eight years, he can obtain citizenship. Below you can learn more about how to obtain German citizenship.
The advantages of German citizenship
Candidates for citizenship acquire significant advantages, namely:
- freedom of movement in Germany;
- facilitated visa acquisitions to the United States of America and Canada;
- registration of a pension;
- participation in the vote;
- high salary level;
- opening accounts in any European bank;
- Visiting a large number of countries without a visa;
- an opportunity to get a passport of a country in the EU;
- the opportunity to enter a European university;
- the opportunity to open a business in any country of the European Union;
- high level of medicine.
Ways to acquire citizenship
How to obtain German citizenship to a citizen of the Russian Federation? To begin with, it is worth saying that the key ways to obtain citizenship are established in the Federal Law "On Citizenship". The right to receive it is not limited in any way. The most famous methods of obtaining citizenship:
- born in Germany;
- having married a citizen;
- opening a business;
- family reunification law;
- having received refugee status;
- proving Jewish roots;
- having lived for a long time in the country;
- moving to work.
If you get at least one of these points, you can apply for a German passport. Otherwise, nothing will work.
Birth in Germany
If a person was born in Germany and at least one parent is a citizen of the state, then the baby will become a citizen automatically. Citizenship is also automatically awarded if both parents of a child born in the country are residents of Germany.
If the child was born in the country, but the parents are not citizens and not residents, then it is impossible to obtain citizenship. But in some countries, for example in the USA, this method works.
Marriage with a German citizen
Many are interested in whether it is possible to obtain German citizenship by marrying a German citizen? Definitely yes, but there are several conditions. In order for a spouse not a citizen to obtain citizenship, you must live at least two years in a marriage. Also, this method will not work if the migrant has lived in the country for less than three years.
If the German authorities learn about the fictitious nature of the marriage, then they will send a migrant to their homeland and forbid him to enter Germany for life. In addition, for a fictitious marriage, a criminal case under fraud can be opened.
Business immigration
How to obtain citizenship in Germany to a Russian citizen? German law makes it possible to migrate to the country, having a business in Germany. To do this, you need a business visa, with which you can get a residence permit or permanent residence for doing business. You can get such a visa if:
- The capital is at least 25,000 euros.
- Business improves the state economy.
- The business sector is important for Germany.
- The candidate for citizenship has an excellent credit history.
Previously, you could migrate if you invest in the German economy (from 250,000 euros) and give 5 or more jobs. In some cases, it was necessary to appoint a German citizen as the company director. The rules are currently relaxed. The main thing is that there should be benefits for the economy of Germany.
Repatriation
Is it possible and how to obtain German citizenship if my grandfather is German by descent? This is one of the most popular questions asked by immigrants from Eastern Europe. To answer the question, you need to find out who can be considered an ethnic German. After all, only their descendants can obtain citizenship in this way.
Ethnic Germans can be considered residents of Germany or their descendants, who left their homeland for various reasons, who have a nationality column in the passport of the new country, which says “German”. Such people can apply for citizenship in a simplified form.
For six months, they can learn German for free in special courses. They are also entitled to a benefit of 2,000 euros, if the person was born after April 1, 1946, and if earlier, then he was paid 3,000 euros. In addition to all, a quick pension and allowance is due.
The husband or wife of an ethnic German can also rely on citizenship if married more than 3 years ago. In this case, the spouse will receive benefits and can learn the language under the same conditions.
Refugee status
How to obtain German citizenship with refugee status? Due to conflicts in the Middle East, a huge stream of refugees poured into Europe. But it’s still difficult for them to become German citizens. Six years you need to live in the country, only after that you can count on the citizenship of Germany. This method also has its positive aspects, for example, there is no need to take a test for integration into society.
To obtain refugee status you need to prove:
- Political persecution at home.
- Violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in relation to a citizen at home.
Now the German authorities are careful about the issue of status. They recheck the information well. Therefore, the lion's share of applications for status is rejected.
Jewish immigration
How to get dual citizenship of Russia and Germany? Ethnic Jews can do this. Applicants for German citizenship can be Jews of origin who have lived in Germany for more than 6 years.
Applications of Jews from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are considered first. The advantage of this method is that it is not necessary to renounce another citizenship.
Long stay
This method is also called naturalization. To obtain a passport in this way you must:
- It is legal to stay in Germany from five to eight years (depending on the program). That is, the time of permanent residence and residence permit will help with this. Unfortunately, a student residence permit is considered as two years in one.
- Have a legitimate income with which you can provide a decent life for yourself and your family.
- Have legal housing.
- Do not have problems with the law.
- Pass an exam in German and a test for integration into German society (except for native Germans and refugees).
- Renounce past citizenship.
EU Blue Card
How to obtain German citizenship to a Russian citizen by moving there to work? Before you get a job in Germany, you need to get a blue card. This card can be obtained by anyone who is not an EU citizen and has a higher education.
In Russia and Ukraine, a high level of universities, so this method is very suitable for citizens of these countries. It is easier for people with diplomas of technical universities of the Russian Federation to get a blue card, because these diplomas are highly regarded there. The card greatly facilitates obtaining permanent residence. A migrant must enter into an agreement with a German company and receive a salary of 40,560 euros per year or more. After that, you can obtain citizenship without any problems.
Passport conditions
How can I obtain German citizenship, how to apply for it? The procedure for obtaining citizenship by residents of other countries is the only one, and it is specified in the Federal Law "On Citizenship". Thus, migrants from other states have every chance to apply for it provided that:
- Achievement of the age of procedural performance (16 years).
- Presence of preferential status and with a stay in Germany for at least 8 years.
- Law-abiding behavior throughout your stay in Germany.
- The presence of their home and basic income, which is enough to feed themselves and family members.
- Full knowledge of German.
- Passing the test for citizenship, which will require knowledge of the laws of Germany and its social structure.
Submission of application and documents
How to obtain German citizenship to a citizen of the Russian Federation, who issues identity cards and draws up entry into citizenship? The Federal Office for Migrants and Refugees is responsible for the migration, but the agency is directly involved in obtaining citizenship and accepting papers. To find out to which department the visitor is directly attached, it is possible in the migration authorities or at the regional authorities according to the area of residence. You can also get a position form from them. The form includes:
- Personal information of the applicant for citizenship.
- Personal information of the child.
- Data on guardians.
- Information on continuous living plots from birth.
- Education data.
- Information about the presence of a criminal record, crimes, fines.
- Data on sources of profit.
The data marked in the form are subject to documentary confirmation.
Is translation required?
How to obtain German citizenship and is it necessary to translate documents, and if so, how to do it? Documents must be issued by German authorities, and if the papers are issued in another state, they must be translated into German and apostilled. The applicant must deal with this directly. He is required to pay for the work of a translator who has permission to work with witnesses. Their list is available in the municipal register.
Dates and cost
The timing of registration depends on the circumstances of obtaining the certificate, benefits or personal situations. The price in different departments varies. The tax for the purchase of a certificate is 255 euros per person, for minors - 51 euros.
Applications are checked from 4 to 6 months inclusive. Already after six months, the applicant can get the result (favorable or negative). In the usual case of obtaining citizenship with absolutely all probable checks, requests for papers and official suspensions, the period will vary up to 1 year.
Where to pick up your passport
If everything you need to obtain German citizenship is completed, then it's time to find out where you can get a passport. A German passport is handed over to the Citizenship Office. Information on the date and period of delivery shall be sent to the candidate by letter. The process itself takes about 5 minutes from the moment of arrival at the office, then a new German citizen is greeted and given a document in his hands.
Reasons for denial of citizenship
Refusal to grant citizenship is quite common, but significant reasons are needed. These include:
- fraud (for example, imaginary marriage);
- low wages;
- problems before the law;
- criminal harassment in the state of the applicant;
- lack of papers and certificates providing the opportunity to obtain citizenship.
In case of disagreement, the applicant has the right to challenge the permit in litigation for one week. Perhaps this process will take a long time. In the case of an unsatisfactory answer, it is possible to appeal within 2 weeks, but only a lawyer can file an application.
The problem of dual citizenship
How to obtain German citizenship and keep the previous one? The German government welcomes dual citizenship from its own subjects. To do this, in 2015 a series of amendments were introduced into the legislation, which increase our chances of obtaining dual citizenship. For example, dual citizenship has every chance of getting children whose parents were born in German territory. Similar powers also apply to individuals of Jewish nationality.
Citizens of Switzerland and certain EU countries have all chances to get dual citizenship. The presence of a second certificate is permitted if a resident of Russia has stopped accruing or paying a pension. In addition, residents of the Russian Federation have every chance of preserving double citizenship if they have real estate in Russia, however, there were some problems with registration for the purpose of residence.