Canadian German Citizenship

snow_angel
New Member



Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Calgary

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:04 am

 

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I am planning to marry a German in August (in Canada - since it is easier ) and was wondering if anyone knows anything about becoming a "dual" citizen (Canadian German). Is it possible for a Canadian? The jobs that I want to apply for require an EU nationality. Should I talk with an immigration lawyer?

I know it takes 3 years of living in Canada before a "German" can apply for Canadian Citizenship. Not sure if it is possible for a Canadian to apply for a German citizenship without giving up their Canadian citizenship?

Regards
Clarissa

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temiskaming
New Member



Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Canada

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:21 am

 

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Hi,
If your father was from Germany and maintains his German status, you can apply for dual citizenship even if you are born in Canada. If not I would suggest contacting the German consulate.
Good Luck.

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metalfan2405
CanuckAbroad Regular


Canuck

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 32
Location: Wiesbaden, Germany (From: London, Ontario, Canada)

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:11 am

 

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i know canadians can have dual citizenships, but im not sure if germans can have dual citizenships. definitely go to a german consulate or embassy and ask.

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Clapoti
Senior Member



Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 85
Location: Berlin

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:23 am

 

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I was checking a bit into this. and you cannot have dual citizenship in Germany. so if you want to get the German citizenship you would have to let go you Canadian one. but apparently you can then ask to get Canadian citizenship and they will not ask you to get rid of your German one. Sounds like a lot of paper work to me.

It also takes 8 years of living in Germany before being able to get the citizenship. not sure if it changes something if you are married to a German.

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violet
New Member



Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:37 pm

 

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I also found out the same information. I am dual Canadian/German (through birthright), and I also asked the German Consulate if my Canadian husband can become German because he's married to me, and they said no. He would have to live in Germany, to go through the immigration process (like Clapoti mentioned), and then he would have to renounce his Canadian citizenship in order to get German citizenship (because you cannot have dual citizenship in Germany, unless it's via birthright). However, our children will inherit German citizenship automatically. But I think if you guys are going to be married and living in Germany, you might be automatically guaranteed some sort of work visa. I'm not sure how it works, but it would be worth asking the German Consulate about it. Good luck!

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grimdaddy
New Member



Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Posts: 1

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:57 pm

 

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I'm a Canadian citizen and applied for German citizenship (German parents) a few years ago thinking that I might work in the EU and received my passport. I have traveled using my Canadian passport. I work for a company with operations in Germany and now need to travel there occasionally for work (1-2 weeks at a time). I was wondering what the implications are to using both passports when I travel (eg. exit Canada on Cdn. passport, enter Germany with German passport & vice versa). Does this cause problems with customs or should I make a "complete" trip with my German passport?

Comments / suggestions?

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sisu1974
New Member



Joined: 11 May 2008
Posts: 1

Posted: Yesterday at 8:34 am

 

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There have been some changes to the citizenship law in Germany that now allow people to apply to become dual citizens through naturalization. The process is a bit complicated and the decisions are on a case by case basis. My German applied through the German Embassy in Ottawa for permission to obtain dual German-Canadian citizenship in March/April 2007 and was approved about 4-5 months later. The application fee was about EUR 265 at the time. He became a Canadian citizen two days ago after also jumping through Canada's hurdles. Now all he needs to do to complete the process is to send the German Embassy a copy of his Canadian passport and certificate of citizenship. I should mention that he would have to give up one of the citizenship if he wanted to join the military or run for public office.

We will be moving to Germany in the summer, so I also intend to apply for dual once I qualify. Eventually we will return to Canada, so this was one of the reasons we indicated it was necessary for him to have both.

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rpunkboy
New Member



Joined: 11 May 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Frankfurt

Posted: Yesterday at 2:26 pm

 

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I am American and have married a German. You would first have to apply for an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (temporary residence permit), which is good for three years; you can also work with this permit. You would then have to take a 30 hour integration course along with 600 hours of German langauge instruction within two years(a Zertifikat Deutsch would be considered equivalent). After three years of having your Aufenthaltserlaubnis, you can apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanant residence). Whereas the Niederlassungserlaubnis is not German citizenship, for all sense and purposes, it is the same, except for the right to vote and take up office. Legally, you can have a Niederlassungselaubnis and your Canadian citizenship. However, if you wanted German citizenship, you would have to give up your Canadian. Hope this helps.

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