As early as this summer, a law is due to come into force in Germany that greatly simplifies the procedure for obtaining citizenship. However, there will be serious requirements for applicants for a German passport. Find out what is known about this procedure and whether Ukrainian refugees will be able to take advantage of it

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Already from 1 June in Germany a new law on obtaining citizenship will come into force. It simplifies obtaining a German passport. We tell with reference to DW, how it will work and whether Ukrainians can count on a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship.

The law, which is expected to come into force in early summer, will expand the range of persons who can obtain a German passport if desired.

The main innovation: now citizens not only of EU countries, but also of all other states can not renounce their former citizenship or citizenship to naturalise in the FRG, and to apply for a passport is allowed after five years instead of eight, as it was before. In some cases, however, people will be able to obtain a German passport after living in the country for only three years.

Who can benefit from the simplified procedure?

All applicants must have a legal status in Germany that allows them to reside in the country for an unlimited period of time. In addition, they must successfully pass an examination on their knowledge of the country and its legislation, be able to speak German and, according to the new condition, be able to support themselves and their families financially without the use of state social benefits.

Additional restrictions were imposed on persons who had previously expressed anti-Semitic or racist views, as well as on those who did not recognise the equality of men and women or who supported polygamy. Such candidates would be denied citizenship.

For those who wish to obtain German citizenship under the accelerated procedure, stricter criteria are stipulated: German language proficiency at the C1 level, which precedes the highest C2 level, and proof of "special merit for integration" are required. In addition, the right to a German passport three years after marriage to a German citizen or national is granted without additional conditions.

At the same time, the normal procedure for obtaining German citizenship requires B1 language skills. You can demonstrate your German language skills by taking the official language test TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat B1. These tests assess basic language skills: listening comprehension, reading, communicating and writing in German at a basic level.

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Will Ukrainians be able to obtain German citizenship under a simplified procedure?

According to DW, the majority of Ukrainian citizens who came to Germany as refugees after the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine will not be able to take advantage of the accelerated procedure for obtaining German citizenship, despite the fact that by February 2025 many of them will have spent three years in the country.

The reason is that Ukrainians have mostly received temporary war protection permits in EU countries. Holders of such status cannot apply for a passport of the country in which they received this temporary status. And the new law has not changed this provision in any way.

Ukrainians fleeing from the war and wishing to obtain German citizenship will have to seek another status: to finish their education in Germany, get a Blue Card and have a permanent residence permit.

We remind you! Earlier we wrote that mobile applications can greatly simplify life and help to quickly navigate in a new country. Read more about the top apps for Ukrainians who are currently in Germany here.

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