https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Applicants for German citizenship need to jump through a number of hoops before they can be naturalised - and not everyone manages to clear these hurdles. Here are some of the most common reasons a German citizenship application may be turned down. https://www.thelocal.com/20241217/the-reasons-your-german-citizenship-application-might-be-rejected Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:51:09 +0100 the-reasons-your-german-citizenship-application-might-be-rejected The far-right Alternative for Germany recently tried, and failed, to significantly tighten the Naturalisation Act. With the issue once again in the spotlight, we look at how parties voted and why citizenship rules are so fiercely debated. https://www.thelocal.com/20260409/are-germanys-current-citizenship-laws-at-risk-after-far-rights-latest-bid Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:17:49 +0200 are-germanys-current-citizenship-laws-at-risk-after-far-rights-latest-bid Conservative lawmakers in Germany have had their sights set on tightening the country's citizenship law since it was reformed in 2024. Here's how the party wants to make it harder for foreign residents to get a German passport this year. https://www.thelocal.com/20260227/how-the-cdu-aims-to-tighten-germanys-citizenship-rules-in-2026 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:13:54 +0100 how-the-cdu-aims-to-tighten-germanys-citizenship-rules-in-2026 As a foreigner in Germany the rights you’re afforded, and the hoops you need to jump through, are determined by your residency or citizenship status. One common question that comes up is the differences between them. Here's an overview. https://www.thelocal.com/20250710/whats-the-difference-between-german-citizenship-and-residency Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:25:06 +0200 whats-the-difference-between-german-citizenship-and-residency Despite recent changes to Germany's citizenship law, conservative politicians are continuing to target it. Are we likely to see dual citizenship rights for foreigners reversed? We put the question to lawmakers in the CDU and SPD to find out. https://www.thelocal.com/20251111/latest-is-dual-citizenship-in-germany-really-at-risk-of-reversal Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:11:55 +0100 latest-is-dual-citizenship-in-germany-really-at-risk-of-reversal Demonstrating financial stability, and not relying on certain welfare benefits, is among the basic requirements to gain German citizenship. We asked our readers if they thought this was fair, and some mentioned cases where it gets complicated. https://www.thelocal.com/20251016/responsibility-to-contribute-are-the-financial-requirements-for-german-citizenship-fair Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:55:30 +0200 responsibility-to-contribute-are-the-financial-requirements-for-german-citizenship-fair If you’re planning to apply for citizenship, you may be wondering if the German passport is something that could ever be revoked after you get it. Here are the few conditions which could lead to someone losing their citizenship. https://www.thelocal.com/20240416/when-can-your-german-citizenship-be-revoked Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:11:08 +0200 when-can-your-german-citizenship-be-revoked Germany is on course to abolish a fast-track path to German citizenship that requires C1 level language skills and exceptional integration. We spoke to a foreign resident in Berlin who raced to improve her German to apply before it's too late. https://www.thelocal.com/20250825/turbo-german-studying-an-american-in-berlin-on-the-race-to-qualify-for-three-year-citizenship Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:42:01 +0200 turbo-german-studying-an-american-in-berlin-on-the-race-to-qualify-for-three-year-citizenship Plenty of foreigners in Germany are focusing on getting their citizenship applications ready now that the new law allowing dual citizenship is in force - but what papers should you get once you finally have it? https://www.thelocal.com/20240103/what-documents-should-i-get-after-obtaining-german-citizenship Wed, 03 Jan 2024 10:15:31 +0100 what-documents-should-i-get-after-obtaining-german-citizenship The number of people filing lawsuits for delays in their citizenship applications has quadrupled since Berlin brought in its new online system. Here's why many applicants are still deeply unsatisfied with the process. https://www.thelocal.com/20250226/why-more-than-1500-berliners-sued-the-citizenship-office-last-year Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:08:12 +0100 why-more-than-1500-berliners-sued-the-citizenship-office-last-year A motion to tighten up German borders and asylum rules controversially passed the Bundestag this week, relying on votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). But a second motion may tell us more about where dual citizenship is headed. https://www.thelocal.com/20250131/what-a-failed-cdu-motion-tells-us-about-the-future-of-dual-citizenship-in-germany Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:03:40 +0100 what-a-failed-cdu-motion-tells-us-about-the-future-of-dual-citizenship-in-germany Germany's dual citizenship reform was hailed as a modern step forward by many. But conservatives - and others - can't stop talking about its problems. Rachel Loxton analyses why the reform is so controversial in Germany and what effect it has. https://www.thelocal.com/20250116/analysis-why-is-dual-citizenship-still-so-controversial-in-germany Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:20:18 +0100 analysis-why-is-dual-citizenship-still-so-controversial-in-germany Knowing how Germany's electoral system works is key to understanding if - and how - certain immigration and citizenship laws could be changed under the next federal government. https://www.thelocal.com/20250116/what-foreigners-should-know-about-germanys-voting-system Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:38:41 +0100 what-foreigners-should-know-about-germanys-voting-system The upcoming early election on February 23rd is the first one to take place since the government's new citizenship reform - which allows dual citizenship - came into force. So how soon do you need to have citizenship in order to vote this time? https://www.thelocal.com/20250115/when-do-i-need-to-have-my-german-citizenship-in-order-to-vote-in-the-election Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:38:41 +0100 when-do-i-need-to-have-my-german-citizenship-in-order-to-vote-in-the-election The German passport has slipped down two places in an annual passport ranking, making it the third strongest passport in the world in 2025. https://www.thelocal.com/20250115/why-the-german-passport-is-no-longer-the-strongest-in-the-world Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:46 +0100 why-the-german-passport-is-no-longer-the-strongest-in-the-world Several changes to migration rules have come into effect since the start of 2025, and further changes are being debated. Here are the ones likely to have the biggest impact on the lives of Germany's foreign residents. https://www.thelocal.com/20250108/the-immigration-changes-that-may-affect-foreigners-in-germany-in-2025 Wed, 08 Jan 2025 17:29:36 +0100 the-immigration-changes-that-may-affect-foreigners-in-germany-in-2025 In a new interview, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has called for drastic changes to Germany's citizenship reform and suggested tightening the law around revoking passports from dual citizens who commit crimes. https://www.thelocal.com/20250106/cdu-leader-dual-citizenship-creates-too-many-problems-in-germany Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:36:19 +0100 cdu-leader-dual-citizenship-creates-too-many-problems-in-germany Germany's centre-right CDU and CSU have long been vociferous opponents of the dual nationality law. As the federal election draws nearer, they are pledging to revoke key parts of it. https://www.thelocal.com/20241218/how-the-conservatives-want-to-gut-germanys-dual-citizenship-reform Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:21:29 +0100 how-the-conservatives-want-to-gut-germanys-dual-citizenship-reform Germany's conservatives are currently on track to enter the next government after the early elections in February. Here are some of the key policies they want to reverse if they return to power next year. https://www.thelocal.com/20241203/citizenship-to-burgergeld-the-laws-the-german-cdu-want-to-scrap-if-they-win-power Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:34:03 +0100 citizenship-to-burgergeld-the-laws-the-german-cdu-want-to-scrap-if-they-win-power A social media post by far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel has accused Berlin of giving out German passports in a "clearance sale" without making applicants go through interviews. We put the claim under a microscope. https://www.thelocal.com/20241114/fact-check-has-berlin-done-away-with-german-citizenship-interviews Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:48:47 +0100 fact-check-has-berlin-done-away-with-german-citizenship-interviews