German heritage? Here's how you can get the 'world's most powerful passport'.
So, you’ve fallen in love with Germany. You’re entranced by the beautiful landscapes, the wondrous cultural heritage and, of course, the beer. It seems like the perfect place to settle down and enjoy the unique lifestyle the country affords. Perhaps you’ve even daydreamed about it?
If you’ve got German parents or grandparents, that dream may be easier to achieve than you realize. Together with Schlun & Elseven Lawyers, we look at the benefits of obtaining German citizenship by descent, how valuable that passport can be, and outline how you can get one.
A great place to live
Germany is known the world over as a first world nation with a very high standard of living. Social services, education and healthcare all rank among the world’s best in league tables. While taxation may seem high in comparison to other countries, those taxes are reinvested in the community, with quality support services available to all.
Education is a concern for many parents, and those with a German passport have access to top-quality education at some of the world’s greatest universities without the student debt that can be accrued elsewhere. Elder support is also second to none, with excellent facilities for those who need round the clock care.
German citizenship not only allows people to take advantage of these very helpful services, but also play a role in deciding the future of the country. German citizens can, of course, vote in Stadt (city), Bundesland (state) and Bundestag (federal) elections, helping make important decisions across a wide spectrum of areas.
A great passport to have
The benefits of German citizenship do not only extend to the services that all citizens can access. A German passport is not only considered the world’s strongest passport in Arton Capital’s 2021 Passport Index, but it is also your key to Europe.
Holding a German passport allows the bearer not only to travel or settle throughout the European Union, but also travel visa-free throughout the ‘Schengen Zone’. This removes much of travel’s red tape and allows a spontaneity of travel and choice that many passports simply don’t afford.
Anyone who has travelled to Europe and watched the holders of EU passports sail through airport arrivals will also realise that holding a German passport is a massive timesaver. In fact, German citizens can travel throughout the ‘Schengen Zone’ without a passport, only needing to carry their Ausweis (Identification card).
Have a family link to Germany? Why not check if you have a right to German citizenship by descent with Schlun and Elseven Lawyers?
A German Passport (Pic: Pixabay)
A path to investigate
For a long time, German citizenship by descent was a fairly limited avenue. However, in the last few decades, there has been a significant easing of restrictions and there are now multiple paths for those with a parent or grandparent who was or is a German citizen.
Proving this can be a time-consuming process, but a worthy one. Those seeking to obtain German citizenship by descent will need to have a considerable amount of paperwork ready, including such documents as your passport, your ancestor’s passport, any marriage certificates and your birth certificate.
Gathering these documents will take some work, and there can be some anxiety over how the process will turn out. Much like many other places, bureaucracy is a complex thing, and you will not be able to receive specific, guided assistance from the German embassy or consulate that you submit your application to.
This is why a good German migration lawyer is very useful in not only streamlining the process, but allaying any fears that you may have. They can ensure that your paperwork meets the requirements of German law, and also ensure that your application is processed in a timely fashion.
Schlun and Elseven Lawyers are one of Germany’s most respected legal firms dealing with German citizenship by descent. They have offices across the country, with a team of experienced lawyers whose speciality is helping those with German heritage secure their citizenship.
To assist you in your journey towards German citizenship by descent, Schlun and Elseven Lawyers have created an Eligibility Checker. A guided series of questions helps you to understand whether you are eligible for German citizenship by descent. If you are eligible, their site can determine what avenue this is through and then help you begin the process by making initial contact with a Schlun and Elseven Lawyers office near you.
German citizenship has many incredible benefits. If you think you may be eligible for it through family descent, why not investigate the possibility? Visit the Schlun and Elseven Lawyers page today to learn more and start your journey towards life in Germany!
This content was paid for by an advertiser and produced by The Local's Creative Studio.
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