(Berlin) German deputies adopted a law on Friday which relaxes the conditions for obtaining nationality and extends the possibilities of dual nationality to notably reduce the labor shortage from which Europe’s largest economy is suffering.
It will now be possible to apply for German nationality after five years of residence in the country, instead of eight currently, under this text supported by the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz and validated by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.
In his weekly podcast, the Social Democratic leader welcomed the adoption of this law: “You are part of Germany,” he said, addressing “all those who live and work » in the country for decades.
The law will also open up the possibility for more people to have dual nationality, an opportunity for Germany’s large Turkish community of some 1.5 million nationals.
“In the United States, it is completely normal to say that you are “German-American” […] I believe that this feeling of being German and Italian or German and Turkish corresponds to the reality of many of our fellow citizens in this country,” commented Olaf Scholz. “Recognizing that is a matter of respect,” he said.
Dual nationality is so far reserved for citizens of the European Union and Switzerland.
“Our reform is decisive for the German economic position,” underlined the Minister of the Interior, the social democrat Nancy Faeser, after the adoption of the law by the Bundestag.
“We are at the heart of a global competition to attract the best minds. We urgently need skilled labor in many sectors of our economy,” she added.
With nearly 82 million inhabitants, Germany is faced with an aging demographic which is accentuating labor shortage problems.
In an interview with the weekly Der Spiegelposted online on Friday, German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil indicated that he had significantly expanded the legal possibilities to accommodate workers from Asia.
“I wish we could attract thinking minds and helping hands, including from Vietnam and Thailand,” he said. Healthcare personnel from these countries are particularly popular.
Mr. Heil is due to accompany German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Thailand and Vietnam next week. In this country, the signing of an agreement on the reception of workers in Germany is notably planned.