Modern transport infrastructure allows you to travel to any country in the world and even completely change your place of residence. Germany is deservedly one of the best countries for life. The Federal Republic of Germany is ranked 9th in the quality of life index, according to Numbeo.com, the world's largest database of well-being assessment.
Table of contents
General algorithm for changing citizenship
Important conditions for those wishing to acquire German citizenship
The first way - where he was born, there he came in handy
The second way is to have a marriage certificate
Third way - citizenship by business
The fourth way - citizenship based on the principle of family unity
Way five - "blue card" in your pocket
The sixth path is to find shelter
Why living in Germany is good
Germany is a highly developed country located in the heart of Europe. The average salary after taxes is 1900 euros - about 160 thousand rubles per month (at the exchange rate of 84 rubles). Professionals and managers make even more money. The food and clothing necessary for life are cheap. The healthcare system is available to citizens of all income levels, and highly qualified doctors work in hospitals. German education is highly regarded in the world. Germany has a favorable climate - mild winters and warm summers. Germans are responsible for nature, industry uses environmental technologies and strict legislation. The roads are considered safe and are washed with soap. The state cares and assists the population in different life circumstances. It is not easy to become a German with a passport; applicants are carefully selected.
General algorithm for changing citizenship
The process begins with legal entry into Germany, and then the foreigner needs to:
– Obtain a residence permit in the country - permanent or temporary and live for 8 years.
- Submit the appropriate application form for admission to the citizenship of the Federal Republic of Germany at the territorial office of the migration service.
– Pass tests that assess the level of knowledge of the culture, language, history and laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
– Renounce previous citizenship.
Upon successful completion of all stages, the foreigner is issued a German passport. If necessary, a passport is issued.
Important conditions for those wishing to acquire German citizenship
The main way to become a German with a passport is naturalization. The process involves the voluntary desire of the applicant for citizenship. The procedure for acquiring new citizenship by foreigners is regulated by the legislation of the country of residence.
In Germany, there is the Citizenship Act, which defines the important conditions for the procedure:
– civil capacity by age – in Germany occurs at 16 years of age;
– legal stay in the country for 8 years or more;
– no violations of laws during the above period;
– housing (own or rented) and a legal source of income to ensure personal residence and family life;
– renunciation of previous citizenship;
– knowledge of the German language at a basic level;
– knowledge of the basic legislation and social norms of the country;
– sharing the values of free democracy as enshrined in the German Constitution.
Visas and residence permits are issued only for a specific purpose. These can be studies, work, business. The visa is valid for a limited time. The permit is extended upon the expiration of the term, while maintaining the basis for stay in the country. The procedure is carried out until the immigrant has the legal right to recognize him as a legal citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany. If the naturalization option did not fit, then there are a number of other grounds for resettlement to German soil, that is, there are other ways.
Other ways to become German
There are several reasons for Russians to become a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany:
– territorial sign of birth;
– marriage with a German citizen;
– commercial activities on German soil;
– unity of members of one family;
– possession of a “blue card”;
– leaving your home country due to emergency circumstances and recognition as a refugee;
– ethnic characteristics of a person.
The first way - where he was born, there he came in handy
If a child is born in Germany, he acquires citizenship automatically when:
– one or both parents are already citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany. The specific place of birth is not important. Provided that the status of the parent is disputed, the child will become a legal German after the recognition of parental rights;
– found as a foundling in Germany;
– born on German soil from foreigners who have legally lived in Germany for more than 8 years. A child can have dual citizenship – German and that of the parents;
– parents have a passport of any EU country;
– the child was adopted by German citizens.
The second way is to have a marriage certificate
When a Russian is the husband or wife of a German citizen, the procedure for acquiring new citizenship is simplified. A German passport is acquired within 3 years of being in the country in an official matrimonial status. The application for a change of citizenship is submitted after 2 years. The law defines a number of requirements for the foreign "half":
– renunciation of previous citizenship if there are no grounds for dual citizenship;
– successful integration into life in a new land;
– the possibility of everyday communication in German with basic knowledge of it.
If there is no desire to change citizenship, then the marriage will allow you to have a residence permit for 3 years with the right of permanent extension. A fictitious marriage for the recognition of German citizenship is a dubious maneuver. The country's immigration services monitor the status of such families and come to visit the newlyweds with a check. If the falsity of the marriage is confirmed, then the “foreign half” of the union will be deported. Heavy monetary fines are imposed on both sides.
Third way - citizenship by business
The German economy is the largest in the world. German laws allow any person on planet Earth to engage in business. A merchant is officially allowed to conduct business in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany with the issuance of the relevant documents.
A businessman draws up a visa for doing business, then receives a residence permit if the following conditions are met:
– entrepreneurial activity is economically attractive or necessary for the country;
– the foreigner’s financial assets are sufficient to implement the commercial idea;
– presence of business and personal qualities for business implementation;
- law-abiding.
After 3 years, the entrepreneur draws up a permanent residence permit. After 4 years, the migrant businessman will become the owner of a German passport. Members of a merchant's family are entitled to a similar right.
The fourth way - citizenship based on the principle of family unity
The institution of the family is respected and protected by the laws of Germany, despite the civic affiliation. Therefore, the unity of the social unit is the basis for immigration to the country. The main requirement is the presence of a blood relative in Germany. Family reunification is not an absolute factor. The final decision is taken by the relevant department of the Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany. A foreign relative has the right to obtain a passport if he legally lives in the country under the following conditions:
– all family members have enough available housing space for a comfortable existence;
– there are enough financial resources for the life of a potential German.
Way five - "blue card" in your pocket (Blaue Karte)
For the influx of educated foreign workers, Germany introduced the Blue Card in 2012. The official name is Blaue Karte. The visa is issued on simplified conditions. A migrant will receive a blue card if:
– has a higher education diploma corresponding to the level of German higher education;
– the vacancy corresponds to the specialty, experience in similar work is 5 years or more;
– concluded an employment contract with a German company;
– salary exceeds 55 thousand euros per year – 5 million rubles per year (more detailed information should be found on the website of the German Consulate in Russia)
– stay in Germany is legal.
The holder of the "blue card" of the European Union will receive the opportunity for permanent residence after 2 years 9 months of work in the country. If the migrant pays taxes and fees, confirms knowledge of the German language at a basic level, then he / she has the right to obtain citizenship by naturalization.
We have described the details of the process of obtaining Blaue Karte and the necessary documents in the article “List of documents for applying for a Blue Card visa”.
The sixth path is to find shelter
Refugee or asylum status gives a foreigner the right to obtain a residence permit, relocation, social assistance and other guarantees. The procedure for granting asylum or refugee status is established by the German Asylum Act. In the future, the holder of a residence permit receives it on an ongoing basis. Further, on the general principles of naturalization, permanent residence and citizenship are formalized. It is important that the presence of facts of violation of the law reduces the chance of obtaining a German passport.
The seventh way is to prove ethnic connection
Ethnic relations represent the many ties between peoples on the issues of their survival and development. A foreigner, in order to obtain German citizenship through ethnic roots, receives the status of “late immigrant”.
The applicant must:
– document your belonging to German nationality;
– speak German at a sufficient level;
– have no criminal convictions for serious criminal offences;
– have not held special government positions in the USSR in the past (police officer, KGB officer, judicial officer, diplomat, etc.) or have a family connection with a person in a similar position.
The spouses of ethnic Germans, their descendants and the spouses of such descendants receive a German passport.
Price issue
All bureaucratic procedures are not free.
It costs 255 euros to process an application for German citizenship. Children included in the parent's application will pay 51 euros. A minor who draws up a passport on his own will pay the fee as an adult. Families with many children have the right to use the payment by installments.
