Germany plans to change immigration system, citizenship laws. This is how | World news

The German government plans to make it easier for people to apply for citizenship amid criticism that it could encourage illegal immigration. The government says it wants to boost immigration and training to combat a skills shortage in Germany at a time of sluggish growth.

“Anyone who lives and works here on a permanent basis should still be able to vote and vote, they should be part of our country with all the rights and duties that go with it,” German President Olaf Scholz said.

“And this should be completely independent of origin, color or religious affiliation,” he added.

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Interior Minister Nancy Faeser outlined plans to cut the maximum number of years a person must wait before becoming a citizen from eight to five, and lift restrictions on dual citizenship. German language requirements for citizenship will also be eased for members of the so-called “Gastarbeiter” generation.

The new citizenship plans boil down to three changes:

1. Immigrants living legally in Germany will be allowed to apply for citizenship after five years, instead of the current eight

2. Children born in Germany of at least one parent who has been living legally in the country for five years or more will automatically acquire German citizenship.

3. Multiple citizens will be allowed.

The reforms will bring Germany in line with other European countries. In the EU, Sweden has the highest naturalization rate in 2020, with 8.6% of all foreigners living there being naturalized. In Germany, the rate is 1.1%.