Germany makes it easier for expats to obtain citizenship

 

Published on 2022-11-15 at 14:00 by Ameerah Arjanee*

The German government has decided to ease its naturalization laws. From December 2022, the number of years of residency needed to apply for citizenship will be reduced from 8 to 5 years. In addition, dual citizenship will be finally allowed for all expats, not just a select few. At a time when the country is suffering from labor shortages, these amendments will likely attract more expats who hope to become EU citizens.

Dual citizenship used to be limited to a few expats 

Germany had been among the few countries in the European Union to restrict dual citizenship. Austria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Lithuania and Latvia are other EU countries with similar restrictions. 

Meanwhile, other economically powerful EU countries with many immigrants, like France, Spain and Italy, have accepted dual citizenship for a very long time. Immigration powerhouses beyond the EU, like the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, also recognize dual citizenship. Germany's restrictive policies on this issue made it lose a competitive edge to these other competitors in the global race for skilled immigrants.

It's not that dual citizenship was impossible to obtain in Germany; it was just restricted to a few, highly specific cases. It was allowed for expats from other EU countries or Switzerland. It was also allowed for expats whose home countries didn't allow the forfeiting of their nationality (Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico).

Other exceptions were made for foreigners who were hoping to acquire citizenship by descent or ancestry. It was also exceptionally allowed for first-generation Germans with one foreign-born parent and one German parent. Alternatively, these first-generation Germans could also have two foreign-born parents, as long as one of these parents had been in Germany for at least 8 years when they were born. 

A humanitarian exception could also be made for expats who could no longer renounce their previous citizenship because of old age, health problems, or financial constraints. Renouncing one's citizenship can be a costly procedure. It costs 2,350 US dollars to renounce one's American citizenship, for instance. Expats who wished to appeal to have dual citizenship had to apply for a retention permit (“Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”).

8 years of residency used to be required for naturalization

Before the latest reforms, Germany also required a longer period of residency before expats could apply for citizenship. Expats needed to have been in Germany for 8 continuous years before they were able to renounce their former citizenship and become German citizens. 

In comparison, in France, the UK, the US and the Netherlands, expats need to have lived in the country for only 5 continuous years in order to apply for citizenship. In Australia, the requirement is even lower: 4 years. In Canada, expats need to have been in the country for 3 out of the past 5 years to start the naturalization process. While it's true that Spain and Italy have an even longer waiting time (10 years), Germany still didn't offer the most competitive conditions.

The previous German government, led by Angela Merkel from 2013 to 2021, was inflexible when it came to reforming citizenship rules. In September 2021, a new ruling tripartite coalition and a new chancellor, Olaf Sholz, were elected. This new government is more willing to amend citizenship laws, especially after the pandemic created a labor shortage in the country.

More lenient citizenship laws to boost immigration

As of December 2022, the German state will finally allow dual citizenship. The previous, hyper-specific eligibility requirements for dual citizenship will become defunct, as any expat is eligible from now on. The number of years of residency to apply for citizenship will also be reduced to 5 years, so it will finally be on par with other historical lands of immigration.

Why this relaxation of the laws now? This reform will work in favor of Germany's immigration goals. The country's current immigration target is an ambitious 400,000 new skilled workers (i.e., economic migrants) per year.

Germany faces tough competition from other (often larger) immigration powerhouses which have also increased their targets, notably Canada and Australia. The pandemic, border closures and Great Recession have created labor shortages in these countries, and they are now engaged in a race to attract global talent to fill their vacancies. Easing the path to and conditions for EU citizenship will attract many skilled expats from outside the union.

Germany is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in various sectors: healthcare, elderly care, manufacturing, construction, information technology, the natural sciences, engineering, catering, hospitality, and skilled trades (e.g., plumbing, the maintenance of electric circuits). Earlier this year, Christian Duerr, a parliamentarian of the government coalition, stressed that “the shortage of skilled workers has become so serious by now that it is dramatically slowing down our economy.” Easing citizenship laws is one of many measures the government is taking to attract immigrants. In October, they also increased the minimum wage from €10.45 to €12 to be a more attractive country to work in.

About Ameerah Arjanee

Ameerah is a lecturer and private tutor who teaches Spanish and Mandarin in Mauritius. She has also been a freelance translator, editor and content writer for a decade. Having lived in both Madrid and Beijing, she enjoys traveling.

World’s Most Dangerous Roads | Philippines, Serpentines | Free Documentary

Climate change causing ‘economic devastation’ to PH, says ranking solon

Published November 17, 2022, 9:42 AM

by Ellson Quismorio

A House leader has highlighted the annual economic losses that the Philippines suffer from natural calamities, even as she called on government and stakeholders to immediately address the issue of climate change. 

(Unsplash)

San Jose Del Monte City lone district Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes said in a privilege speech earlier this week that the country loses around $3.5 billion yearly from natural calamities based on World Bank (WB) estimates.

“We can definitely feel the economic devastation of climate change. To illustrate, recently, [super typhoon] Karding alone destroyed at least P160 million worth of high-value crops,” Robes said.

She said no less than 5,239 Bulakenos–1,571 families, including 1447 children and 231 senior citizens–were displaced and forced to evacuate due to the floods, which also cost the lives of five emergency volunteers.

“In the aftermath of super typhoon Karding, this representation would like to spark an honest dialogue to three inconvenient—yet vital—truths that affect our nation and humanity as a whole…The pressing and urgent need to strengthen our policies on environmental protection and adapting to climate change,” noted Robes, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

She said it is lamentable and alarming to know that the Philippines, in terms of global metrics, ranked second in the 2018 Climate Risk Index among countries heavily affected by extreme weather events.

She said the Philippines is also 11th out of 180 nations in the 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

Robes reckoned that climate change is no longer imminent. “We are already in a state of climate emergency,” she said.

“Our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addressed the UN (United Nations) General Assembly who declared that the country is the fourth most vulnerable country to climate change…This injustice must be corrected, and those who need to do more must act now,” she said.

Robes described the floods caused by Karding in her home province of Bulacan as “unparalleled and alarming”. She said significant areas in San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael—areas not typically prone to flooding—were engulfed in deep floodwaters due to heavy rains.

The ranking solon also gave honor to the five emergency responders who died while saving residents who were stranded in a flood.

Robes said the “Bulacan Five”–George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Narciso Calayag Jr. and Jerson Resurreccion died “in the line of duty and service to our country.” She said they were ordinary men who displayed extraordinary acts of service.

Robes has already filed two measures empowering emergency volunteers with House Bill (HB) No.5584, or the Emergency Volunteer Protection Act of 2022; and HB No.5650 or Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk and Emergency Responders.

Tourism post-pandemic

Published November 17, 2022, 12:02 AM

by Senator Francis Tolentino

‘TOL VIEWS

Senator Francis N. Tolentino

Because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, global tourism suffered significant losses. International tourist arrivals in January to May 2020 decreased by as much as 56 percent compared to the pre-pandemic records of 2019. This reduction, according to an August 2020 report of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), translates to $910 billion to $1.2 trillion lost in exports from tourism. Similarly, 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk of dissolution and 1.5 percent to 2.8 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) lost due to the widespread lockdowns and travel restrictions.

From the same UNWTO report, the Asia-Pacific Region suffered the greatest reduction in tourist arrivals at 60 percent, hence the need for a renewed and revitalized regional strategy for tourism recovery and sustainability. This pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of world economies – even those from more developed regions. Covid-19 exposed the inadequacy of our contingent planning and response capacity as no one could have perhaps foretold the depth and breadth of its impact. 

However devastated global tourism may be, hope for recovery remains high, especially in the light of the expected shift of Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic. With lesser restrictions on domestic and international travel, with accelerated vaccination rates in nearly all countries of the world, with heightened regional cooperation and partnerships to jumpstart tourism and economic engines, we can all hope to transform this health crisis into an opportunity for systems innovation and redesign in order to adapt to the demands of a post-pandemic tourism economy.

For the Philippines, it was projected that tourist arrivals 12 months after the pandemic will be at +9.7 percent, slightly above the average tourist arrivals data of the pre-pandemic years. Some of the figures for most Asian countries will remain on the negative axis when it comes to tourist arrivals and tourism revenue, but the brighter side of this trend is that 6 to 12 months after the end of the pandemic, the road to tourism recovery is clear. As with any other recovery phase in the aftermath of any crisis, the restoration of normalcy in the life of the people in the community will require re-assessment and re-designing of policies, plans, and programs in order to speed up rehabilitation.

Jumpstarting regional economy by strengthening regional tourism require policy response, not only to address the demands of a re-awakened tourism industry, but as well as to meet current and emerging needs. Enabling legislation shall be a crucial element in establishing a more adaptive tourism economy – one that will be vibrant, diverse, and inclusive. Sustainable tourism will entail expanded collaboration not only among national governments, but as well as building partnerships with private and non-government sectors.

The future of the country’s tourism shall be largely shaped by the policy response of today. An integrated regional tourism policy for the Asia Pacific Region will be essential as the policies and actions of one country may have implications on the policies and actions of another.

MOVIEGOER: Landmark deal between ABS-CBN, GMA-7

by Nestor Cuartero

Jodi Sta. Maria (Facebook)

A landmark deal, a first in Philippine TV, is the recent agreement between ABS-CBN and GMA-7 in the production of a new tele-series to combine artists and creative talents from their respective camps.

“Unbreak My Heart” reunites the beloved loveteam between Jodi Santa Maria and Richard Yap, the couple who scored a major daytime, long-running hit out of an ABS-CBN series, Be Careful with My Heart. Joining them are Joshua Garcia and Gabbi Garcia, and other cast members coming from both sides of what used to be a network war.

Dreamscape, represented by its head, Deo Endrinal, is producing the series. 

This recent tie-up between GMA-7 and ABS-CBN speaks well of growing cooperation in our television industry. It can result in improved quality in programming and fresh casting requirements that can eventually raise the bar for excellence, excitement and entertainment among viewers and advertisers alike.

Some might say said collaboration between the two giant networks couldn’t have occurred had not the pandemic happened, or had not ABS-CBN lost its franchise to operate. Be that as it may, what’s important is the end-result such collaboration can bring to the table of our consumers. “Unbreak” isn’t the first collab between the two major networks. Earlier, ABS-CBN assigned airing of Star Cinema movies to GMA. Network also airs some of its programs on TV5 and on its various digital platforms. 

Five months after its theatrical run with not much success, Ngayon Kaya, is now being hailed, with sweet vindication, as the No. 1 Filipino movie on Netflix.

On a Facebook post, producing company T-Rex Entertainment thanked the public “for catapulting the romantic film on top of the universe and in your heart.”

Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez co-star in Ngayon Kaya, directed by Prime Cruz and written by Jen Chuaunsu (the creative pair behind Isa Pa With Feelings and Can We Still Be Friends).

It tells the story of college buddies AM and Harold, an unlikely pair between a shy probinsiyano and a rich city girl who are college buddies-turned-band mates.

Harold had a crush on AM, but he never had the guts to tell her. Even after college, they stayed friends and continued pursuing their music dreams. Harold stifled his feelings for fear of losing her friendship. Eventually, time runs out for Harold when he’s forced to choose stability and work in Canada, leaving AM to wonder what could have been if Harold had stayed.

Ngayon Kaya features songs by Mayonnaise, Typecast, Ang Bandang Shirley.

The pressing and the precious

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

IN life, we have to learn how to give due attention and care to both the pressing things and the precious ones. In the end, we have to learn how to give due attention and care to all the different aspects and dimensions of our life: the material and the spiritual, the temporal and the eternal, the short-run and the long-run, the emotional and the intellectual, the personal and the social, etc.

We are somehow reminded of this point in that gospel episode when Christ got angry at those who converted the temple into a marketplace and drove them away, but at the same time he did not neglect the task of continually preaching there. (cfr. Lk 19,45-48) It was a pressing matter for him to see to it that the dignity of the temple was kept while still pursuing the precious duty to preach.

This ability to know how to put these different aspects together will certainly require a discipline which would be composed of the results of our experiences, regular study of things and issues, examinations of conscience, a series of trial and error, etc. We should be willing to go through this discipline that will certainly involve effort, wins and losses, success and frustration.

But as long as we are humble enough to be realistic about our life, I believe we would not mind so much the heavy drama that will be involved. Such experiences will only enrich our lives!

We have to learn how to handle our emotions properly, because once they become too strong, they can displace our intelligence, and even our faith, that give us an overall picture of things. It’s not a matter of suppressing them, since that would be inhuman. It’s a matter of guiding them always, not allowing them to be simply on their own, since they lack the proper way of knowing things. Theirs is quite simple and shallow.

Our Catechism tells us that our emotions and passions are “movements of the sensitive appetite that incline us to act or not to act in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or evil.” (1763)

In fact, the Catechism tells us that our emotions and passions are “natural components of the human psyche; they form the passageway and ensure the connection between the life of the senses and the life of mind.” (1764)

Thus, once properly formed and guided, they can be very powerful in helping us carry out our more precious duties of preaching, evangelizing, doing apostolate, etc. They offer an effective linkage to other people as we go through our duties and responsibilities, especially the spiritual ones.

Our emotions and passions therefore serve as a link between our body and soul. They are where we materialize what is spiritual in us, and spiritualize what is material in us. As such, they create a rich texture in our lives. They create the consistency proper to us as a person and as a child of God. They also help to give focus on our judgments, modulate our will, and add sensitivity to our reasoning.

In other words, they play a decisive role in achieving a happy and fully human life. They contribute to achieving the full potential of our humanity. But given the wounded condition of man, our emotions and passions need to be purified and thoroughly educated. They offer the link between the pressing and the precious in our life.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

OVP to open more satellite offices next year—Duterte

Published November 16, 2022, 1:49 PM

by Raymund Antonio, MB

Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday, Nov. 16, the planned opening of three more satellite offices of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) next year to make its services and programs more accessible to the people.

Vice President Sara Duterte delivers her message after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) signed the memorandum of agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)

The OVP has seven existing satellite offices in Bacolod, Surigao del Sur, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Dagupan, and Zamboanga. 

Its central office is housed at the Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Duterte said they could open one to three satellite offices depending on how these could be funded from the OVP’s budget. 

“I-assess lang namin kung gaano ‘yung budget namin, paano niya ma-accommodate ‘yung (We only have to assess how much is our budget, how can it accommodate) one to three satellite offices,” she said in a media interview.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Vice President met with the OVP satellite managers to discuss the concerns of their respective offices.

OVP satellite office in Cebu City (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)

“There was a discussion na dapat maglagay ng (that we should open a) satellite office sa (in the) eastern side ng (of) Luzon,” she noted. 

“Meron pang mga areas sa (There are areas in) Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao na walang kami (that we don’t yet have) presence,” the official added.

Duterte cited those in need from Isabela who had to hire a jeepney to go to the OVP’s Dagupan office.

The OVP will open satellite offices based on the demand in a particular area of coverage.

“Ang nangyayari ang tao ang pumupunta dun sa (What happens is that the people go to our) satellite offices namin so iyon ang tinitingnan namin kung saan magiging parang i-divide (that’s what we’re looking at, maybe divide) geographically iyong (the) areas ng (of) coverage ng (of) satellite offices making it more easier para mga kababayan natin (for our fellowmen),” she said.

Palace moves Araw ng Kagitingan, Bonifacio Day to new dates; Jan. 2 is special holiday

Published November 16, 2022, 1:32 PM

by Betheena Unite

The dates of some regular holidays for 2023 have been changed, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Proclamation No. 90

Through Proclamation No. 90 the following regular holidays were moved to another date:

• Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Sunday) to April 10 (Monday)
• Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Thursday) to November 27 (Monday)

January 2 was also added as an special non-working day.

Other regular holidays and special non-working days previously declared through Proclamation No. 42, which was issued in August 2022, will remain unchanged.

According to the Palace, the changes were made to encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures.

“There is a need to adjust these holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics wherein a longer weekend will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country,” the proclamation stated.It also explained that adding January 2 to the list of special non-working days is “in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion.”  

Remittances sustain growth as expats help ease inflation's sting

Ramon Royandoyan - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Money sent home by Filipinos overseas inched up in September as they rushed to support their families weathering the impact of expensive consumer prices.

Remittances coursed through banks inched up 3.8% year-on-year to $2.84 billion in September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported Tuesday. This, however, was slower than 4.3% recorded in August. 

Year-to-date, cash remittances amounted to $23.83 billion. 

Remittances are considered the lifeblood of the consumption-dependent Philippine economy. Money sent home by overseas Filipinos augment their families’ income here. 

These remittances are also crucial sources of dollars for the country. Remittances amounted to $31.42 billion last year, expanding 5.1% compared to the 2020 haul. The collections slightly missed the central bank’s forecast of 6% growth, but the BSP hopes remittances would rise this year.

That said, the surging dollar trend has left the peso sinking to new lows, which convinced many this will benefit families of overseas Filipinos. But that has not been the case as a strong dollar trend is only adding fuel to painfully high inflation that’s squeezing household budgets.

Domini Velasquez, chief economist at China Banking Corp, attributed the growth in September remittances to three economic events.

“The increase in pace in the growth in cash remittances were likely driven by 3 factors: better economic outlook in some of the host countries such as the US, ASEAN, and the Middle East; high domestic inflation may compel overseas Filipinos to help out more in terms of sending money from abroad; and OFs may want to take advantage of a weak peso,” she said in a Viber message.

BSP data broken down showed 41.7% of cash remittances in the first nine months came from the United States, while the rest came from Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Qatar, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Remittance from land-based workers grew 4.1% year-on-year to $2.25 billion in September. Sea-based workers sent $590 million, inching up 2.4% on a yearly basis. 

Velasquez cited that opportunities in remittance-rich countries such as the US and other parts of Asia, and the Middle East will offset the decline recorded in money sent by Filipinos based in Europe.

“The move towards full face-to-face classes in November will also bring in more remittances towards end of 2022,” Velasquez said, as expats send more money to their families to pay for tuition fees.

“Lastly, we might see more holiday remittances as Filipinos will likely celebrate with looser restrictions this year compared to last (e.g. physical company/school Christmas parties),” she added.

PH is world’s top beach, dive destinations

by Jun Marcos Tadios

The Philippines bagged the highly-coveted World’s Leading Dive Destination and the Leading Beach Destination for 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the two awards were given during the 29th World Travel Award (WTA) held in Muscat, Oman. 

“These global victories for the Philippines evince the unparalleled beauty of our country and the distinct warmth of the Filipino people,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“We sincerely thank the World Travel Awards and everyone from all over the world whose vote of confidence is timely as the Philippines fully opens its arms to welcome tourists to our shores,” she added.

To date, the Philippine dive portfolio continues at its four-year winning streak in world recognition.

The Philippines bested the world’s finest diving destinations like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and other distinguished islands like the Cayman Islands, Maldives, Fiji, Mexico, Azores Islands, French Polynesia, Galapagos Islands, St. Kitts, and Belize.

As the leading beach destination, the Philippines also topped other beaches globally, including previous awardees such as Maldives, The Algarve in Portugal, Jamaica, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Meanwhile, three partner tourism of the DOT also bagged recognition at the WTA: the famous Amanpulo (World’s Leading Dive Resort 2022); City of Dreams Manila (World’s Leading Casino Resort 2022); and the Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, as the World’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2022.

The DOT was also nominated as the World’s Leading Tourist Board this year, as well as Siargao as the World’s Leading Island Destination and Intramuros as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction.

The 29th World Travel Awards gathered the best travel and hospitality industries from its regional awardees across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Earlier this month, Palawan was also hailed as the Most Desirable Island in the world, and Cebu has nominated Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) at the 21st Wanderlust Travel Awards in the United Kingdom (UK).

The Philippine Tourism Board, through the Philippine Department of Tourism-Central Visayas Office, also placed 6th among hundreds of entries in the Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Category for its Dive7 Program. 

In September, the Philippines topped Asia’s leading dive, and beach destination, while the historic Walled City of Intramuros was Asia’s leading tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Vietnam.

Earlier this year, Conde Nast Travel (CNT) also named the Philippines among the 40 most beautiful countries worldwide, specifically citing the remarkable cave system of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the mysteriously uniform Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and the panoramic views of the Banaue and Cordilleras Rice Terraces.

Time Magazine also named Boracay as one of the 50 World’s Greatest Places of 2022.

“These Awards are a source of inspiration for us in the Department of Tourism to work even harder as the Marcos administration ushers in the resurgence of the tourism industry as a major pillar of economic growth and source of livelihood for millions of Filipinos,” Frasco noted.