Job Discussion Forums

dime a dozen · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 44

I've been working in Germany a few months and have found out that I can apply for citizenship because my parents were German at my time of birth. I'm still trying to work out all the details. Has anyone tried to change status from guestworking teacher to citizen; any advice? Is it true that I can opt to continue as a teacher in state education rather than do military service?

Thanks.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You can do "alternative service" but not sure if that includes teaching. The children of many of my friends in Germany have opted for a "non-military" form of service. It should be easy to get information.

Deicide · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject:

German citizenship? good luck... Laughing

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

Have you checked with the military to see if you can teach the troops English? That way you might be able to kill (haha) 2 birds with one stone. They may be able to give you an answer to this if asked. Worth checking. In times past people who were known as conscientious objctors were given other duties that did not interfere with their religious beliefs. As a teacher you may or may not have to do boot camp, but you stand a better chance of opting out from going to the front. Look into this as well to see if the military will allow this. Also check with a general practioner in regards to your health issues. If you have health issues that might help you to avoid active military duty.

harold_haller · Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 8

I have had students who are former military and they told me that people going to do their military duty do not get shipped off into infantry units. They just get basic training and do other duties. It is rather the career people that get shipped off to fight. That said, it is def. possible to avoid this. There are all kinds of civil service options to choose, from helping in a hospital to helping a Hausmeister run a student dorm. Just do a bit of research and I'm sure you'll figure it all out. Although, you have to be able to speak German on some basic level though to become a German citizen. Surely, some people slip through without meeting that requirement, but it is a requirement.

Glenlivet · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 179 Location: Poland

All over the world, people want the benefits of citizenship without the responsibilities. One of the reasons I left the UK.

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

Just wondering which country you hail from originally? If outside the EU i could see the benefits but if your from another EU country I would love to know what the benefits there are to having German citizenship?

I am from UK but can see benefits to say Belgium citizenship such as better healthcare, pubs, learning french, dutch and maybe German if you go SE.

Der_Bomber · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 17

niffree · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

When my father died, I inquired about dual citizenship and did this in Canada. It was a bit tedious, but now I have it. What is the next step once I come to Germany?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Military Service in the Federal Republic is now HISTORY.