Is it easy to get German citizenship being a foreigner? I've heard it is difficult?

Question

A friend of mine is being offered a job in Germany, but he is working overseas currently, he is concerned that he won't be able to stay there forever as it is known that it is very difficult to get german citizenship and takes a while

How long does it take to get it? is it difficult? Why are all the german speaking countries so immigration unfriendly, In Canada you become a citizen in 3 years, why Germany doesn't do the same then?

I also understand that germans prefer you to speak german instead of english and won't socialize easily with u if you don't speak their language, is that true?

Answer 1

It depends where u are trying to immigrate from. Middle East, UAE, and African countries usually have a lot of difficulties to immigrate. But as a  Canadian I dont see problems at all.

I also never heard of that u have to wait 8yrs to immigrate. And trust me to immigrate to Germany is ten times easier then to the USA. Immigrating to the USA is extremely expensive and it is not cheap in Canada either. Germany in comparison is super cheap to immigrate (talking about forms and application fees)

Also whoever applies for a citizenship in whatever country in the world should at least speak the basics of the country's language. And since when prefer ur countrymen to speak a different language than English and French?? Isnt it just clear why people prefer to speak their mothertongue in their homecountry? the attached source is a official german gov site u might want to check it out.

Answer 2

You can live in Germany without becoming a citizen.  It all depends on your work permit which is tied to your residence permit.

Move there, live there, and see if you want to adapt the German citizenship first.  My advice:  DON'T give up your Canadian or American citizenship.

Answer 3

Step by Step.

1. Requirements:

- Foreigners in general have the right to become naturalized after 8 years of habitual residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.

- you must prove adequate knowledge of the German language and according to the new nationality law, you might also prove adequte knowledge of Germany as country and also of the german cuture.

- A clean record and commitment to the tenets of the Basic Law (Constitution) are further criteria.

- The person to be naturalized must also be in a position to pay for his/her own maintenance.

- Those applying for naturalization must in principle give up their foreign nationality as the principle of the avoidance of multiple nationality marks the law on nationality. However, there are rules governing exceptions which allow the previous nationality to be retained. These apply for example to elderly persons and victims of political persecution. If release from the foreign nationality is legally impossible or unacceptable for such persons, for example due to high release fees or degrading methods of release. I am afraid however that this is not possible for USA-citizens. I do not have any idea about canadian citizens, but I believe they must also give up the canadian citizenship first (But I am not really sure).

In the following link you will find the complete text of the german nationality act in english:

http://www.iuscomp.org/gla/statutes/StAG...

2. How long the whole  process takes depends on many factors as for example how fast the authority in your city works, how long it takes for you to give up your old citizenship, etc. It can take 3 months or 2 years. In this point I am afraid no one can give you a real information. When I took the german citizenship I waited 7 months, most of them waiting for my expatriation.

3. "Why are all the german speaking countries so immigration unfriendly"

Well, I do not know how it looks in Canada, but I think you are just judging too fast. I can just compare with the Nationality law in USA, I think the german law is much more friendly.  In Germany they are not going to look and search so deep in my private life and my private room that the whole might become intolerable for me as the immigration authority does in USA. Furthermore becoming a citizen to a country is not a right you can demand, it is a privilege you must deserve and each Country of the world has the right to decide who may or who may not be accepted:  That means: exactly in the same way Canada has the right to say how the law on nationalty must be without other countries's interference, Germany has the right to decide the same in the same way: We call it here in Germany sovereignty.

4. "I also understand that germans prefer you to speak german instead of english"

Well in other countries is not different. One thing is when you are  visiting a country as tourist and something very different is when you want to live there. How would you feel if let's say a chinese comes in to your country and demands that you speak his language?

5. "And won't socialize easily with u if you don't speak their language"

German people are not so open, at least not from the begining, and this fact has nothing to do with you speaking or not german. They are carefull about new relationships no matter if you are talking about a german or a foreigner. However when a german gives you his or her frendship you can be sure it will be for ever and for good and bad times.

Answer 4

To apply for citizenship, you have to have resided in Germany for eight years and have an "adequate knowledge" of the language.  

Why does requiring knowledge of the language seem such an outrageous request?  Even the US requires a basic knowledge of English to become a citizen.