[Aberlour10]

mike777, on Apr 20 2008, 03:23 PM, said:

I do not know the rules for being a citizen in many other countries but reading these posts it sounds like a child could be born in another country, never live or speak or learn British or German culture but still be a citizen of BRitain or Germany.....fair enough but to not allow people born in  that country be citizens seems not fair.

That's right. All you have to do, is.. to produce evidence about your german ancestors (in the direct line) in the Embassy of Germany and if your claim will be successfull, you become german passport.

Robert

[mycroft]

On the other hand, many children are being born and living their entire lives in Germany, never living or speaking or learning Turkish, and not a citizen either of their country of residence (as their parents aren't German citizens, and don't have this "residence permit") or of their families' country (as Turkey doesn't have familial citizenship). Landless, not wanted in either country either by the politicians or the people, what do you expect to happen to them?

Having said that, I could have become a British citizen, as my mother at the time of my birth was still one (having been born there); she became Canadian when I was 9, which I believe stopped that. However, as a citizen of a Commonwealth country, I still have privileges that non-Commonwealth, non-EU citizens do not have in Britain, should I wish to move there.

Also, my father's mother was born in Warszawa in 1912; that should count should I wish to take German citizenship, no? (Edit: no. Patrilineal descent only unless not married, and even if, I'd have to get my dad to do it first). Not that I would; I don't have anywhere near enough German to not trigger the "not invented here" culture shock.

[Aberlour10]

mycroft, on Apr 21 2008, 10:35 AM, said:

On the other hand, many children are being born and living their entire lives in Germany, never living or speaking or learning Turkish, and not a citizen either of their country of residence (as their parents aren't German citizens, and don't have this "residence permit") or of their families' country (as Turkey doesn't have familial citizenship).  Landless, not wanted in either country either by the politicians or the people, what do you expect to happen to them?

Relative small part of turkish people in Germany move for the german citizenship.
The reason is, german law does not allow principally a dual citizenships, there are only a few exepcional cases, f.ex. for people who stay abroad. Many of turkish people don't want to resign for their native citizenship, so they are mostly content with a "german green card". There are still a political debate on this matter.

I have both, polish and german passport, my case is one of this "exepcional", my polish citizenship is tolerated by german authorieties but not valid in Germany, I could theoretically get in problems if I would use my polish passport on german territory. Staying in Poland is my legal situation reversed. Both countries don't have detailed agreement about this matter until now.

Robert