Immigration reform attracts workers.

SGGP August 29, 2023 09:25

The German government has just passed a bill to shorten the citizenship application process for eligible immigrants and to recognize dual citizenship, as Germany's population is projected to reach 84.3 million in 2022, primarily due to a record increase in immigration.

However, the country is still grappling with a staffing crisis as older people gradually leave the workforce. A survey earlier this year showed that more than half of German companies are struggling to find employees due to a shortage of skilled workers.

Meanwhile, Germany's naturalization rate is lower than that of other European countries, with a rate of 13 per 10,000 people granted citizenship in 2020 compared to the EU average of 16 per 10,000 people. This makes it difficult for foreign workers to integrate into the German economy and society in general. Reforming immigration laws is also a key commitment made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government upon taking office at the end of 2021.

The bill, which will be debated in parliament in the near future, aims to allow foreigners to obtain German citizenship in just 5 years, instead of the current 8 years. Even those who integrate well and have proficient German language skills may be granted citizenship in as little as 3 years. These individuals will also need to demonstrate their ability to support themselves independently, with some exceptions.

In particular, the bill opens up opportunities for more people to obtain German citizenship through dual citizenship. Under current German law, only those with a European Union passport or those with a German parent are eligible for dual citizenship.

The right to dual citizenship is currently generally limited to citizens of European Union countries and Switzerland, although there are exceptions. Approximately 10 million people, or 12% of the population, live in Germany without a German passport, preventing them from enjoying basic rights such as voting or holding certain positions in government. It is estimated that after Germany reforms its immigration laws, the number of citizenship applications will increase by 50%-100% compared to the present.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cai-cach-nhap-cu-thu-hut-lao-dong-post703463.html