Germany relaxes conditions for obtaining nationality

“We urgently need qualified labor in many sectors of our economy,” explained the German Interior Minister on Friday.

Europe’s largest economy is opening up a little more to immigration. On Friday January 19, German deputies adopted a law which relaxes the conditions for obtaining nationality, in particular in order to reduce the labor shortage in the country. It will now be possible to apply for German nationality after five years of residence, instead of eight currently, under this text supported by the government of Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

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. Olaf Scholz welcomed the adoption of this law: “You are part of Germany”he said, addressing “to all those who live and work” in the country for decades.

“A global competition to attract the best minds”

“Our reform is decisive for the German economic position”underlined the Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, after the adoption of the law. “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 increasing tensions on the labor market.

“We are going to need more immigration”warned Chancellor Olaf Scholz in October, while saying he wanted “limit irregular immigration” in Germany, because “too many people are coming”. In this logic of chosen immigration, the German Minister of Labor, Hubertus Heil, must go to Thailand and Vietnam next week, in the hope of“attract thinking heads and helping hands”particularly in the health sector.