How to obtain German citizenship for a Russian citizen

Germany is famous for its economic and political stability, order and effective legislation, high social standards and reliable protection. In addition to this, there is a colorful and diverse nature, small European towns with unique architecture and ancient fortresses, and perfectly preserved traditions. Isn't it an ideal place to immigrate? Having gone through several stages of integration with the acquisition of German citizenship, a foreigner receives a number of advantages:

• Indefinite residence permit in 27 EU countries;
• Opportunity to study at the best universities in Europe;
• Free movement throughout the EU and more than 150 countries;
• Social and medical security, benefits and allowances.

Berlin is the capital of Germany

Birth in Germany

People often come to Germany not only for the purpose of tourism, but also to give birth to their child. Russian women choose Germany for these purposes not only because of the quality, perhaps one of the best medical services in the world, but also in the hope that their child will receive citizenship of this country. Here, as throughout the European Union, the law of soil does not apply.

A very common misconception about acquiring a German passport by birth has arisen due to some exceptions. For example, one of the parents has German citizenship or has been permanently residing in the state for permanent residence for 8 years.

German citizenship by birth

Immigration through employment, study or starting a business

If none of the national programs suits you and you do not intend to get married, you can leave Kazakhstan for Germany in one of the following ways.

1. Business in Germany. You don’t have to start a business from scratch: you can find a German partner or buy an existing business. As for funds, it is possible to obtain a loan from a German bank to open your own enterprise.
   

   More information in the article “Business Immigration”.

2. Education. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose a specialty, the training of which is recognized by the German government as sufficient for obtaining a visa and its extension upon completion of study for 18 months to find a job. Tuition at most universities is free, but there are semester fees of 90–600 €. You can study in German and English.
   

   Read more about this in the review “Study in Germany”.

3. Blue Card program. Allows in-demand foreign specialists to find employment in Germany even without knowledge of the language. As a result, a permanent residence permit is issued within three years. The program applies to family members who can apply for permanent residence together with the applicant and move to the country.
   

   More information about moving through employment in the material “Working in Germany”.

Based on marriage

The most common basis for starting the process of obtaining German citizenship is marriage. After three years, two of which must be spent in marriage, the applicant can apply for German citizenship. The remaining conditions provided for by the naturalization procedure generally remain in force.

Refusal to acquire citizenship may be received by persons who entered into a fictitious marriage, or in the case of dissolved marital ties and formal cohabitation. For an unreal family union, liability is provided in the form of deportation for a foreigner and penalties for a German.

Citizenship by marriage

Dual citizenship Germany - Russian Federation

Citizens of countries that have entered into relevant international agreements or have received a second passport in another state have the opportunity to become binationals. Since no such agreements were signed between Russia and Germany, and German legislation does not allow having a passport from two or more countries, dual or second citizenship of Germany and the Russian Federation is prohibited.

However, Russians are trying to find a way around the strict rules or some kind of “gap” in the legislation. For example, to formally renounce Russian citizenship, or, after acquiring the desired German status, to restore the previous citizenship of the Russian Federation. By the way, in the case of the German authorities, it is not easy to write a statement of refusal. The migration service (Ausländeramt) must provide confirmation of the applicant’s renunciation of citizenship.

Dual citizenship – Russia – Germany

The German Citizenship Law contains exceptions that give the following immigrants the right to retain their existing citizenship:

• refugees and foreigners who have received political asylum;
• ethnic Germans who lost their status from 1933 to 1945;
• Jews (as compensation for genocide);
• foreigners for whom the state unreasonably rejected a request to renounce citizenship or did not respond to a request to renounce citizenship;
• other cases provided for by laws and regulations.

Procedure for obtaining citizenship

The naturalization procedure begins with the submission of an application. The law does not establish a specific sample application, but this issue is within the competence of local officials. Therefore, it is recommended to take forms from the territorial migration service office. The petition is submitted personally by each applicant, including children, on behalf of the legal representative (for example, a parent).

Obtaining German citizenship

Four groups of immigrants are eligible to apply for German citizenship:

1. Compatriots who left the country in different historical periods;
2. Jews as a people who suffered genocide during World War II;
3. Germans who lost their citizenship in the period 1933-1945;
4. Foreigners who have continuously resided under permanent residence (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany for more than 8 years.

Israeli citizenship: advantages, conditions, methods and procedure for obtaining

1. A permanent state of war with our closest neighbors - the Arab states. Over the past decades, the country has been under martial law almost continuously. Israel has a common border with countries where the situation is very unstable: Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Iraq. On the other hand, the country's armed forces are quite combat-ready. Moreover, Israel is supported by the United States. Also in the interior of the country, in some of its regions, the situation is also very turbulent (Judea, Samaria).

The country has a difficult environmental situation. Firstly, this concerns the shortage of fresh water. Secondly, there is severe air pollution due to the heavy load from industrial enterprises and a very large population.

2. The climate is hot, the heat lasts almost all year round, and the predominant landscape is desert.
3. A kind of family policy. In the country, only Jews are allowed to officially marry; the use of contraception is not accepted in Orthodox families.
4. High prices for food and water.
5. High population density, the national average is 300 people per 1 sq. m.

We recommend reading: Write an application to the court to remove a person from an apartment, sample

The application for citizenship status is reviewed by the Minister of the Interior, and the same person makes a decision on refusal or granting Israeli citizenship. You can count on a positive decision if the applicant is able to support himself, has real estate and speaks Hebrew.

Passing the German language exam

Naturally, full integration of a Russian into German society is impossible without good knowledge of the language. This must be proven when submitting an application. Supporting documents can be a certificate of education obtained from a German educational institution or a certificate of proficiency in German. It is issued after passing testing at level B1.

You can take the exam at a public school (Volkshochschule) by paying a service fee of 150 €. You can improve your knowledge of German there in classes or as part of integration courses, which are partially sponsored by the state. It consists of six modules of one hundred hours each. First, they undergo free testing, based on the results of which they determine which module to begin training with.

What documents are needed

Before you can call yourself a full-fledged citizen of Germany, you will need to do a fair amount of paperwork and obtaining various permits:

1. The main and most important document to start with is a visa. They come in various types, both educational and work, the main condition is to get a long-term one, which will allow you to live in the country, which is necessary to obtain the final result. This also includes marriage to a German citizen. A long-term visa is valid for 2 years, but it can be extended.
2. the next step is to obtain permanent residence. To do this, you will need to be married for more than 2 years, graduate from a university in the country and get a job or have your own business. When checking documents, the candidate must already have a reason for which he wishes to obtain a passport.
3. application form in German plus 2 copies, and 3 photos;
4. foreign passport of the candidate;
5. a document on knowledge of the German language and a certificate stating that verification is impossible for acceptable reasons;
6. solvency. Present any bills that will guarantee that the candidate has the means to live in the country.

Testing (Einbürgerungstest)

In September 2008, amendments to the law came into force, according to which migrants applying for German citizenship, in addition to a language exam, will have to undergo testing on German history, customs and legislation. The cost of the exam is 25 €, and paid preparatory courses are 150 €. In this case, the applicant has an unlimited number of attempts to pass the test. You can study the questions from the tickets and the correct answers to them yourself on the Internet on the website of the German Ministry of Internal Affairs.

German citizenship test

Children under 16 years of age, foreigners educated in Germany (at least high school), disabled people and incompetent applicants are exempt from taking the test.

A total of 310 questions have been developed, which are grouped into thematic modules. Applicants will have to answer 33 tasks chosen by the examiner, including a couple of regional ones, in the federal state where the exam is taking place. In the capital they ask about the coat of arms and the age at which the right to participate in municipal elections begins. The minimum passing score is 52% or 17 correct answers. The questions are quite diverse, some are simple, some are complex, and some can even confuse a native resident.

The main ways to move for permanent residence to Germany from Kazakhstan

Moving from Kazakhstan to Germany is possible under one of the special programs for immigrants.

1. Immigration of native Germans to Germany. The program operates in accordance with the law “On the Affairs of Displaced Persons and Refugees” adopted in the country. But to do this you will need to prove your German origin and pass a language proficiency test.
   

   Read more in the article “Late Migrants”.

2. Immigration to Germany of persons of Jewish nationality became possible thanks to the law “On increasing the number of Jews in Germany” signed in 1991 by Helmut Kohl. The main conditions for moving are indisputable proof of Jewish roots and citizenship of one of the former republics of the USSR.
   

   You will find more information in the review “Jewish Immigration”.

3. Moving to relatives permanently residing in Germany. According to current legislation, children, parents, spouses, and bride/groom have the right to this. Mandatory conditions: the possibility of obtaining a national visa for the applicant to enter the territory of Germany, the availability of health insurance, housing and a permanent source of income.
4. Marriage with a German citizen. You can get married in Germany, in the home country of your foreign spouse or in a third country. You should make sure that subsequently there will be no problems with obtaining a national German visa for the moving spouse. Language proficiency is not required, but is a plus. The marriage must be confirmed in Germany.
   

   The material “Marriage with a German” tells more about this

Requirements for applicants

One of the indisputable conditions for candidates for German citizenship is the presence of a permanent source of income sufficient for comfortable living at least below the subsistence level. All family members who are dependent on the migrant are included in the calculation (wife, if she does not work, minor children, etc.). Social benefits and other assistance from the state or public organizations are not counted towards such income. If there are other financial sources, then social assistance is subject to deduction from total income.

An applicant for a German passport must not only have no criminal record, but also be free of minor offenses. For example, driving three times without a ticket within a year or a couple of fines for speeding will remove a foreigner from the desired status for at least a year. When the statute of limitations for all violations has passed and they no longer appear in the registry, you can apply for citizenship.

Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany

The next no less strict condition is the renunciation of all existing citizenships and the provision of a supporting document to the German Migration Service. An intention to refuse will not work, nor will a copy of the application. It is necessary to submit a certificate of absence or termination of Russian citizenship.

Conditions for acquiring German citizenship:

• Continuous residence in Germany under permanent residence for 8 years (the period is reduced to 7 years for migrants who have successfully completed the integration course, and in case of active participation in public organizations to 6 years).
• Certificate of language proficiency not lower than level B1.

  Sample certificate of knowledge of German language

• Take tests on the history, civil order and law and order of Germany.
• Confirmation of having a stable income at the appropriate level necessary to provide for yourself and your family, excluding social benefits.
• Certificate of good conduct and absence of minor offenses for a year.
• Commitment to respect all the values ​​enshrined in the German Constitution.
• Refusal of all existing citizenships, including Russian.

Attention! Even if the applicant does not meet one of the conditions, he does not have the right to apply for citizenship.

However, some exceptions are allowed at the discretion of the official (Ermessenseinsbürgerung). Under this procedure, documents may be accepted from a candidate who is of particular social value, subject to certain minimum requirements being met.

Germany map

How to obtain German citizenship

Today we will look at a serious topic - obtaining German citizenship!

This article is for informational purposes only and, of course, laws and conditions change periodically.

Therefore, before obtaining citizenship, you must check all the information from official sources!

Today there are 8 ways to obtain German citizenship. We will look at them all and at the end we will share two personal stories about obtaining German citizenship.

1) Naturalization of foreigners

What is behind this incomprehensible expression? After amendments to the laws of 2001, a person who has lived in Germany for at least 8 years can obtain German citizenship. Also eligible to receive German citizenship under this clause are: ethnic Germans, Jews, persons deprived of German citizenship from 1933 to 1945.

2) Obtaining citizenship by ethnic Germans

This paragraph concerns late migrants who receive various benefits in Germany - a free 6-month German integration course, financial assistance, and integration allowance. Spouses of ethnic Germans receive German status if the marriage lasts more than 3 years. After 3 years you can apply for German citizenship. If German citizenship is not obtained, then in the event of a divorce from an ethnic German, the spouse loses the right to reside in Germany. But! This rule does not apply to mothers whose children have German citizenship. If you are officially recognized as a late settler, you automatically receive German citizenship.

3) Descendants of later settlers

At the age of 16, descendants of late settlers receive German citizenship.

4) Other family members of late migrants

In this category, each individual case will be considered separately depending on the degree of relationship, age and other conditions. Family members of later immigrants can apply for German citizenship after 3.5, 8 or 15 years.

5) Jewish immigration to Germany

Since January 9, 1991, people immigrating to Germany through this line receive a certificate of privileged legal status. This special status gives the right to accelerated acquisition of German citizenship through a simplified procedure. Such applications are considered first. And the minimum period of residence in Germany for this category is 6 years instead of 8. Applicants for German citizenship must confirm their approval of the German political system and prove sufficient knowledge of the German language, and also have no criminal record.

6) Granting German citizenship by birthright

Children born in Germany after January 1, 2000 automatically receive German citizenship, even if their parents are foreigners. But this rule only applies under the following conditions: one or both parents have lived legally in Germany for at least 8 years. At least one parent must have a residence permit for at least 3 years. Children born before 2000 do not have an automatic right to German citizenship.

7) Granting German citizenship based on the citizenship of one of the parents

Children whose parent is a German citizen are entitled to German citizenship.

German citizenship by marriage

You can apply for German citizenship 2 years after the official marriage and after 3 years of residence in Germany. Refusal to obtain citizenship by marriage can only occur if the marriage is recognized as fictitious or if the marriage breaks up (or is of a formal nature) by the time the application is submitted.

Whichever route you go, there is a certain standard of requirements for all applicants:

• Continuous legal residence in Germany for 8 years.
• Residence permit or permanent residence. A residence permit issued for the period of study will not be considered.
• No criminal record or deportation from the country.
• Sufficient level of income.
• Availability of own or rented housing.
• Renunciation of citizenship of another country.
• Proficiency in German.
• No connections with terrorist organizations.
• Recognition of the German political system.
• An applicant for citizenship must not receive unemployment benefits or social assistance.

Required documents:

• a document confirming permanent and long-term residence in Germany;
• passport of the country of citizenship;
• four passport size photographs, on a white background, without corners;
• a health certificate issued by a German medical institution;
• confirmation of a legal source of income sufficient for life in Germany and his family;
• proof of ownership of real estate in Germany or a long-term rental agreement;
• a certificate of no problems with German legislation issued by the police;
• a certificate from the tax authorities of your country about the absence of debt.

Attention! All documents must be submitted in German (all documents can be translated into German in our office).

Possible reasons for refusal:

• proven fraud in obtaining German citizenship. For example, a fictitious marriage;
• lack of a source of income or its level is too low;
• problems with German legislation;
• criminal prosecution for crimes committed in the former homeland;
• lack of any documents necessary to obtain German citizenship.