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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Citizenship law hits another delay, a historic day of fate and the letter ‘ß’

In this week's roundup we look at what's going on with the dual citizenship law, Germany's most fateful day and interesting aspects of the letter 'ß'.

Published: 11 November 2023 08:25 CET
Updated: 13 November 2023 09:13 CET
A German passport
A German passport and naturalisation certificate. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez

Living in Germany is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points in Germany that you might not have heard about. Members can receive it directly to their inbox on Saturday.

Will the new citizenship law make it into the Bundestag?

Germany’s citizenship reform hit another hurdle this week when it was revealed that the first reading in the Bundestag was taken off the agenda. It’s another setback for the landmark legislation that was delayed for cabinet deliberations earlier this year. The proposed law will result in big changes – the required residence for citizenship applicants is to be reduced from eight to five years (and three in some cases) and everyone will be allowed to hold more than one passport. The pause in the process is due to coalition partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), wanting to further tighten the requirements around anti-Semitism. Social Democrat MP Hakan Demir told The Local’s Germany in Focus podcast: “The question mark that they have right now is if the new citizenship act is good enough to prevent anyone who is anti-semitic from getting German citizenship.” 

The good news is that MPs have told us the law will be back on the parliamentary agenda soon. “The citizenship law is expected to be presented to the Bundestag for its first reading in a fortnight’s time – so the week beginning November 27th,” FDP’s Stephen Thomae said. So despite these delays, it looks like the legislation – which is one of the most significant for foreigners in Germany – will make it through the parliamentary process, even if the road is a little rocky. 

Tweet of the week

If there’s one date you need to learn to get familiar with German history, it’s November 9th.

Where is this?

A view of German autumn weather

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd Weißbrod

There has been some stunning Herbst (autumn) weather in Germany recently, as can be seen in this view of Teck Castle or ‘Burg Teck’ surrounded by orange and green trees. Teck is an old Medieval castle built in what was previously the kingdom of Württemberg.

In 1519 the castle was conquered in the ‘War of the Swabian League’  and burned down in 1525 in the ‘Peasants’ War’. In 1738 the Kirchheim Oberamt gave permission to demolish the castle, although some of the foundation walls were preserved. The castle was rebuilt in 1889 and it’s now a hostel and restaurant. 

Did you know?

German speakers use the letter ß (eszett) frequently, but did you know that the letter is not used everywhere in the German-speaking world? Switzerland, unlike other German-speaking countries, doesn’t use the eszett. Some say that’s because the Swiss keyboard is adapted to the French alphabet, rather than the German one.

Instead, the Swiss always write the double s, making words like Masse/Maße and Busse/Buße, indistinguishable by spelling alone. In contrast, the eszett continues to be in use in other German-speaking nations, such as Austria and some parts of Belgium. To read more on this fascinating little letter, check out our article here. 

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Inside Germany: Grundgesetz, citizenship language requirements and vomit toilets

From a tense atmosphere at a ceremony to mark 75 years of Germany's constitution to citizenship language requirements and a vomit toilet, here's what The Local team has been talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 25 May 2024 10:47 CEST
Inside Germany: Grundgesetz, citizenship language requirements and vomit toilets

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

Grundgesetz anniversary sparks warning to safeguard democracy

Thursday marked 75 years since the the founding of Germany’s constitution – known as the Grundgesetz or Basic Law.

With the assistance of the Allied powers, West German states formulated the Grundgesetz over a number of conferences in 1948 following the devastation of the war. It fully came into effect on May 23rd, 1949 and was adopted by all German states after reunification in 1990. 

READ ALSO: What does Germany’s Basic Law really mean?

Although it doesn’t include the word ‘Verfassung‘ (constitution) in it, the Basic Law contains all the features of a constitution and has functioned effectively as one for decades. 

Various ceremonies are being held over the coming days to mark the anniversary of the document that has shaped modern-day Germany. 

Even though the annual celebrations are always proud moments for the country, it’s clear that there is a tense atmosphere. 

During a high profile event on Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that democracy was not guaranteed in future, and said there could be tough times ahead. 

“After decades of more prosperity, more democracy, more Europe, more freedom, the success of German reunification, we are now experiencing an epochal transformation,” Steinmeier said, referencing how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had brought war back to Europe. 

He urged for courage to face the challenges ahead, saying: “We have to assert ourselves, with realism and ambition.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses guests during the state ceremony as part of celebrations to mark 75 years of the German Constitution in front of the Chancellery and Reichstag building (background) in Berlin, Germany on May 23rd.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses guests during the state ceremony as part of celebrations to mark 75 years of the German Constitution in front of the Chancellery and Reichstag building (background) in Berlin, Germany on May 23rd. Photo by Liesa Johannssen / POOL / AFP

The president also outlined how concerned he was about recent political violence in the run up to the European elections being held in Germany on June 9th. 

“We have received news of physical attacks on elected officials and politically active people almost every day,” he said.

“I am deeply concerned about the coarsening of political life in our country.”

READ ALSO: German president decries violence in politics after attacks

German toilets get weirder…

Now onto a bar in Koblenz that has installed a ‘Brech-Platz’ or ‘vomit space’ toilet high on the wall. Perhaps it’s genius?

Germany in Focus 

On the latest episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, we invite special guest Avalon Pernell into the booth to talk about culture shocks that people from the US face when they come to Germany (including the food!). We also get into the maze of trying to secure therapy in Germany and why it’s so hard, the outlook for the self-employed and freelancers and the new campaign for German citizenship.  

What level of language do you need for German citizenship?

Anyone getting ready to apply for German citizenship will have to think about their language skills. 

That’s because for most routes to naturalising in Germany, you need to have a certain level of German – and some things are changing in light of the reform. 

As regular readers will know, from June 27th holding multiple citizenships will be allowed in principle, and the required residency period will drop from eight years to five years on the standard route for naturalisation. 

But one thing that won’t change on the standard route (at least for the majority of people) is language requirements. You’ll still need to have passed a B1 level exam. 

As Aaron Burnett wrote in one of our most-read stories this week, “B1 is the third level out of a possible six and someone who has achieved it is classified as an ‘independent user’ under the Common European Framework for Languages.”

“This means the speaker can handle most aspects of their daily life – shopping, getting around, and basic topics around work, school or living.”

A big change coming up is that applicants who can show exceptional effort to integrate into Germany – or who have made big contributions to German society – could be eligible to naturalise after just three years on the new fast-track route.

But these applicants will have to show they can speak German at C1 level – the second highest level possible. 

“C1 speakers are typically able to understand longer and more challenging texts – including those that are not within their area of expertise,” wrote Aaron. “They can also express themselves fluently on complex issues and even make academic arguments that follow a certain structure.”

There are also some routes that don’t require such a high standard of German. Check out the full article here.

Lastly…

A few German states enjoy a public holiday on Thursday May 30th for Fronleichnam or Corpus Christi. Residents in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will likely have a day off work or school. Remember to get your shopping in beforehand! 

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