Lose German Citizenship

[nwctzn 55]

Really a shame that German citizens have to go through this process of BBG while citizens of many other EU countries like the UK and France can easily become dual citizens.

Is there any movement/petition at all so that the German citizenship law gets revised?

[Anna C. 4]

Not that I'm aware of, also, it's relatively recent (I think 2000?).

[karin_brenig 18]

Really a shame that German citizens have to go through this process of BBG while citizens of many other EU countries like the UK and France can easily become dual citizens.

Is there any movement/petition at all so that the German citizenship law gets revised?

No, this BBG process IS the revised version of German citizenship law. Prior to 2000 only military, diplomats and certain VIPs where allowed to keep their German citizenship when acquiring another country's citizenship.

Now anybody can explain their situation and the hardships they are facing and get permission for dual citizenship.

It's not that hard, you just have to sit down and do it.

[nwctzn 55]

It's not that hard, you just have to sit down and do it.

... and pay the fee, whereas citizens from the UK, France, Italy etc can just relax and get their dual citizenship automatically.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Karin is correct.

The BBG process is on the books since January 1, 1914, but personal reasons can only be considered since January 1, 2000.

[karin_brenig 18]

... and pay the fee, whereas citizens from the UK, France, Italy etc can just relax and get their dual citizenship automatically.

well - in my opinion 255 € to keep my German citizenship is cheap, comparing it to the 680 $ filing fee for US citizenship.

Something that doesn't have a prize doesn't have a value either - at least in my books

Also, I don't want to have British, French, or Italian citizenship, so that's really a mute point.

[nwctzn 55]

well - in my opinion 255 € to keep my German citizenship is cheap, comparing it to the 680 $ filing fee for US citizenship.

Well, it is like you need to pay again to keep your first car when you purchase your second car

Edited February 22, 2012 by nwctzn

[Anna C. 4]

I had no idea it was that old of a concept Probably most people I know who are dual citizens are so from birth, so they never had to go through it. I'm just happy it's not like e.g. Ukranian law that does not allow for dual citizenship period - I'm all done, paid it all, did all the papers and now I can chillax It's not like it took all that long.

I had no idea it was that old of a concept Probably most people I know who are dual citizens are so from birth, so they never had to go through it. I'm just happy it's not like e.g. Ukranian law that does not allow for dual citizenship period - I'm all done, paid it all, did all the papers and now I can chillax It's not like it took all that long.

[nwctzn 55]

I had no idea it was that old of a concept Probably most people I know who are dual citizens are so from birth, so they never had to go through it. I'm just happy it's not like e.g. Ukranian law that does not allow for dual citizenship period - I'm all done, paid it all, did all the papers and now I can chillax It's not like it took all that long.

Yep, same with India, they do not allow dual citizenship, period! It is either this or that.

With EU member countries though it is really interesting because some of them allow dual citizenship automatically, some (like Germany) want to take your money and want you to jump through hoops so that you can keep your citizenship, and some say you cannot be a dual citizenship at all.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Which is why I personally, albeit holding 3 citizenships now, think the U.S. shouldn't allow this. The one question anybody who wants to become a U.S. citizen should ask themselves is this: would I still want to become a U.S. citizen if I would lose my original citizenship when doing this?

Anybody who would not naturalize under such circumstances may not be ready to take the Oath of Allegiance without lying to themselves.

Just my 2 cents.

[nwctzn 55]

Which is why I personally, albeit holding 3 citizenships now, think the U.S. shouldn't allow this. The one question anybody who wants to become a U.S. citizen should ask themselves is this: would I still want to become a U.S. citizen if I would lose my original citizenship when doing this?

Anybody who would not naturalize under such circumstances may not be ready to take the Oath of Allegiance without lying to themselves.

Just my 2 cents.

100% agreed with this comment. I am a dual citizen because the US and my 'original' country allow it, otherwise, I would be a US citizen only right now. I would also completely understand if the US passes a law in the future not allowing multi-citizenship.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

No law needed. All it takes is one, a single one President of the United States who at some point says . . . "listen guys, I know you already pledged your allegiance to the United States. You swore off any and all loyalty to your former country or countries of citizenship, now I feel it's time you show that you took this oath in good faith. The U.S. government requires all naturalized U.S. citizens to prove within 1 year's time that they have lost or renounced their former citizenship or citizenships. Those who cannot comply with this requirement, will face de-naturalization. Thank you."

[Kinito_2k3 5]

No law needed. All it takes is one, a single one President of the United States who at some point says . . . "listen guys, I know you already pledged your allegiance to the United States. You swore off any and all loyalty to your former country or countries of citizenship, now I feel it's time you show that you took this oath in good faith. The U.S. government requires all naturalized U.S. citizens to prove within 1 year's time that they have lost or renounced their former citizenship or citizenships. Those who cannot comply with this requirement, will face de-naturalization. Thank you."

What a bunch of BS, has there been any studies showing that the "good American" is the naturalized that considers himself American only? Please, give us a break, this country is a pure product of immigration...what are you afraid of?

[Ruffie 22]

What a bunch of BS, has there been any studies showing that the "good American" is the naturalized that considers himself American only? Please, give us a break, this country is a pure product of immigration...what are you afraid of?

You're not getting his point - with the current laws, while you pledge your allegiance and swear off any loyalty to other countries during your naturalization oath ceremony, the U. S. does nothing to actually make sure you DO swear off any other country, meaning, they simply expect you to place the U. S. first and don't care about your other citizenship(s). Which is why so many people hold several citizenships in the first place because if the U. S. didn't accept US citizens holding other citizenships, many people (myself included) wouldn't go through the whole naturalization process in the first place.

Nice choice of language, by the way...

[nwctzn 55]

What a bunch of BS, has there been any studies showing that the "good American" is the naturalized that considers himself American only? Please, give us a break, this country is a pure product of immigration...what are you afraid of?

No need for foul language here in this forum. We are not discussing here 'good' vs. 'bad' naturalized Americans. The discussion is about the complications that multi-citizenship brings. It's not only about US + other country citizenships, this is about multi-citizenship in general.