With over half of its population over the age of 40, Germany is dealing with an ageing society. On August 23, the German Cabinet passed a draft to change the country’s citizenship law. It will now be up for debate in Parliament (Bundestag) before it becomes law.
“Our modern immigration country needs a modern immigration law. Our diverse society needs it and our economy needs this reform just as urgently. We are in the middle of a global competition for the best minds,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
According to the new changes, foreigners can apply for German citizenship after having lived in the country for five years (instead of eight previously). Germany will also allow non-EU citizens to have dual citizenship (if their native country allows it) — something applicable only to EU and Swiss citizens earlier. Exceptions to this draft proposal include foreigners receiving state support and people convicted of crimes for racist or anti-Semitic reasons.
