German law states that dual citizenship should usually be avoided. British Maestro Rattle Seeking German Citizenship After Brexit By Reuters , Wire Service Content Jan. 15, 2021 By Reuters , Wire Service Content Jan. 15, 2021, at 7:22 a.m. Nationals of EU Member States may hold other EU citizenship in addition to their own. For example if you were American or Brazilian and your husband was German, then your child would still be a dual national and would have the automatic right to a German passport. Germany does not usually allow dual nationality. Those with ancestry-based claims may not be affected. For advice on immigration, Whilst Germany approved a bill that allowed British and German nationals to apply for dual citizenship during the Brexit transition period, there has been no indication that such a bill will be considered once the transition period comes to an end on 31 December 2020. Brexit and the Rise of Dual Citizenship. In that case I'd advise you to naturalize as a German- you can, of course keep your UK citizenship since the UK has yet to leave the EU. nationality or human rights, Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. 1. In this situation, German citizenship must be surrendered upon becoming British. to subscribe to weekly updates for our news and blogs. For more information about how this website uses cookies please read the following page: Privacy Policy. The same applies to Germans who generally forfeit their citizenship upon the acquisition of another nationality under German law. Passportia’s German citizenship advisors are native German speakers and experts in their field. Brexit: How Will It Effect Dual German Citizenship? In light of the complex nature of German law, all applicants should seek independent legal advice from a German lawyer before proceeding with any citizenship application. Melissa Chemam September 15, 2020. If you are a German national residing in the UK who wishes to remain in the UK after the end of the Brexit transition period, you must apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. Provided for by Article 116 (2) of the German Constitution, this process is known as, Children of German citizens who missed out on citizenship due to gender discrimination in the law. Germany should offer young Britons EU citizenship after Brexit, says German Vice-Chancellor. Under the current German citizenship law, those who wish to acquire German citizenship must be prepared to renounce their existing citizenships. Dual nationality is permitted in Germany only for citizens from other EU countries. Share this post. Dual citizenship with other countries is possible only for people with a birthplace or parental connection to Germany - otherwise, it’s not allowed. The “huge increase” in citizenship applications in Germany is likely linked to the deadline for acquiring dual citizenship, Tetlow told Europe Street. However there are special rules allowing dual citizenship for EU citizens. However, as the law currently stands, Germany will not permit dual citizenship for those who do not meet the naturalisation residency requirements prior to 31 December 2020, and who choose to apply to naturalise as British citizens (and are successful) after 31 December 2020. The German passport is one of the strongest worldwide as it allows its holder to freely move within the EU and to many locations overseas. However, there are certain exceptions. By Thomas Escritt. Well, in practical terms for British people who either live in Germany or visit frequently, there are not a lot of changes. People have otherwise to choose and relinquish the nationality of birth. As such, if a German national residing in the UK, who holds indefinite leave to remain or Settled Status, has made a successful application to naturalise as a British citizen prior to 31 December 2020, they may be able to hold dual German and British nationality. German law states that prior to acquiring another citizenship, a German national has to obtain permission from the relevant German authorities, and if such permission is not given, their German citizenship will be lost. Applying for German citizenship If you are resident in Germany, you may be able to apply for German citizenship (in German). For advice on immigration, nationality, extradition or human rights, please contact us now. What has been considered as one of the major accomplishments of the EU integration - citizenship of the Union - is now jeopardised with the probability of restrictions related to rights and free movement of people. Share. You will have these opportunities as a German citizen: 1. The vast majority have retained their British citizenship which is possible with all applications accepted up to 31st December 2020. At the time of writing, the UK is still an EU country and new rules for after Brexit haven’t been agreed. Brexit fears have prompted Brits in Germany to push to secure their rights. To find out if you are eligible, please contact us, Ethnic Germans (“Aussiedler” and “Spätaussiedler”). This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries. European citizenship after Brexit impacts many EU nationals living and working in the UK. This route is known as, Those who have acquired German citizenship and other citizenship(s) automatically. These cases apply to foreign nationals with German ancestors who are eligible for German citizenship by descent. This is one of the few exemptions that will allow German nationals to hold dual citizenship. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. By Kate Nicholson PUBLISHED: 15:37, Mon, Jan 11, 2021 Germany proposes dual-citizenship plan for post-Brexit Brits Back to video The bill proposes treating Britain as a European Union country for German domestic purposes in the time between Britain’s departure from the bloc on March 30, 2019, and the end of the proposed transition period on Dec. 31, 2020. Dual Citizenship – Will Germans Be Allowed To Maintain Their Citizenship If They Naturalise As British Citizens After 31 December 2020? Britons holding dual citizenship from an EU country like Germany will retain the privilege of free movement and work across the soon-to-be 27-nation … Brexit transition, British in Europe, EU passport, Germany The German cabinet approved today a bill that should allow Brits and Germans who apply for citizenship of the other country during the Brexit transition to retain both passports. British maestro Rattle seeking German citizenship after Brexit. Unless this changes Britons who become German after Brexit has happened could then find they have to renounce their UK citizenship. … In the case of naturalisations connected with reparations and naturalisations of children of German parents who were not able to acquire German citizenship on account of the rules on descent valid at the time, multiple nationality will still be allowed. In order to avoid the repercussions of Brexit and the end of freedom of movement, many UK citizens have applied and are continuing to apply for German citizenship. They can have several EU … Similarly, British citizens could have to give up their citizenship to naturalise as German. Having German citizenship gives you rights and freedoms that non-citizens do not have. However, it is strongly recommended that those interested in acquiring British-German dual citizenship seek specialist legal advice or consult their German Consulate. Then we come to the issue of dual citizenship. Historically, any German national residing in another country who chose to naturalise as citizens of that country would automatically lose their German citizenship. Click contact us lobbying the German authorities at the state and federal level on dual citizenship over a year ago Email Twitter Facebook. For many dual nationals, the question arises as to whether they will have to choose one nationality after the Brexit transition period until 31 December 2020 or lose the other when acquiring one nationality. Dual Citizenship: German Immigration Law after Brexit. please Gherson is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Important information for the end of the Brexit Transition Period and the EU Settlement Scheme, if you or your close family members are an EU / EEA Citizen. It is stipulated in § 12, para 2 of the StAG that dual nationality is allowed with the rest of the European Union, and with Switzerland. For example, Germany allows dual nationality only with EU states. This is very clearly and categorically allowed as long as the UK remains in the European Union. This generally applies to the following groups of people: Germany’s dual nationality laws are far from straight-forward and the status of those hoping to obtain British-German dual nationality through naturalisation after Brexit is unlikely to be clarified before the UK’s exit from the EU on the 29th of March 2019. Since 28 August 2007, Germany has allowed its nationals to acquire the citizenship of another EU country (or Switzerland) without requiring any form of permission or forfeiting their German nationality. here This puts some restrictions in your status, and that is why so many permanent residents of Germany seek to get citizenship. Please see https://www.gherson.com/blog/brexit-has-happened-what-now for further details. When you are living in Germany only as a permanent resident, you do not qualify as a citizen of Germany. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson. Germany accepts dual nationality only with other member states of the EU. Former German citizens and their eligible descendants who were deprived of their German citizenship by Nazi-era laws. BREXIT has unsettled legions of Britons living in Spain, with one UK investor claiming she was "forced to give up her British citizenship". Unless Germany changes its nationality law, the UK will no longer be exempt to Germany’s dual nationality restriction. a British national would not be entitled to the right of dual citizenship if he/she has not gained naturalisation in Germany by the withdrawal deadline of March 30th, 2019 in the case of a no-deal, or by the end of This website uses cookies; some may have already been set. The UK has no restrictions on … In addition to the disorderly handling of Covid-19, the UK is experiencing the worst economic crisis since the 1970s. Share this post. According to the BBC, German was the most popular new nationality for Brits in 2017, jumping from just 594 cases in 2015 up to 7,493 in 2017. 2 Min Read. FILE PHOTO: Conductor Simon Rattle takes part in the opening ceremony of … Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. The right to vote 2. With EU citizenship, the islanders also lose the possibility of dual citizenship. As a rule, Germany does not allow dual or multiple citizenships. Many of those applying for citizenship in Germany were racing the clock to get the paperwork finalized before Brexit is finalized, Tetlow says. (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). British conductor Simon Rattle, a staunch critic of Brexit, on Friday made public that he has applied for German citizenship.. The right of free movement 3. If you would prefer the site to not use cookies at all then please block or otherwise disable cookies in your web browser, though you may find that this prevents certain parts of the site from working correctly. Should you wish to naturalise as a British citizen and retain your German nationality an application for naturalisation must be submitted prior to the end of the transition period. German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said British people living in Germany … In Germany, 14,600 Britons had dual nationality in 2019 compared to 622 in 2015. Since the Brexit referendum in June 2016, 31600 British nationals have been granted German citizenship up to 2019. Since 28th August 2007, German citizens have been allowed to naturalise in other EU member states and Switzerland without losing their German citizenship. Germany’s dual nationality laws are far from straight-forward and the status of those hoping to obtain This exception applies both ways and, conversely, British citizens who live in Germany have been able to apply for German citizenship and have not been required to give up their British citizenship by the German authorities. The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. The conductor Simon Rattle, who announced this week that he was cutting short his tenure at Britain’s leading orchestra to return to Germany, has applied for German citizenship after Brexit. Should you require any further information in light of your current circumstances please do not hesitate to contact us. https://www.gherson.com/blog/brexit-has-happened-what-now. https://www.gherson.com/blog/dual-citizenship-germany-citizenship now. German nationals can also be subject to an administrative fine if they fail to obtain the necessary permission. Link to post Share on other sites . The right of as… The phenomenon is made worse … Following Brexit, this exemption will not include British citizenship, unless an exceptional agreement were to be reached. Under German nationality law, ancestry-based claims may also lead to dual or multiple citizenships (s). EU nationals who become naturalised in Germany therefore do not have to give up their previous nationality. Thanks to brexit I decided to go for dual citizenship. Which major countries don’t allow dual citizenship with Germany? Conquistador 11,149 11,149 Riem, Munich; Posted 8 Oct 2016. Therefore, German citizens who live in the UK have been able to acquire British citizenship while remaining citizens of Germany. The rules are already the same for people who aren't from the EU. The end of the Brexit transition period will not affect these naturalisation processes. Brexit will not affect the rules of dual nationality. To remove this message, please click on the following button; your input will be saved in a cookie. What exactly the future will look like in these scenarios remains unclear for the moment. As a result, German citizens could forfeit their citizenship if they naturalise in the UK post-Brexit without first obtaining the express permission of the German government (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). In combination with our leading British nationality practice, we offer specialist advice to those affected by either country’s nationality laws. 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