Fallstricke des »Doppelpasses«: rechtliche Inhalte und legitime Symbolik

Nationality law serves as a projection sphere for how to redefine membership in response to migration, not least in Germany. Legislative reform steps have been followed closely and controversially over the past 25 years. The latest initiative is no exception. The government plans to shorten waiting period and wants to authorise dual nationality unconditionally. Daniel Thym embeds these proposals in the context. Proliferation of permanent residence statuses for Union citizens and third country nationals entails that nationality does not serve as the door opener for many exclusive membership rights, besides the right to vote, any longer; that is one reason why many people who could apply for a German passport do not do so in practice. Heated political debates about dual nationality tend to overlook crucial aspects. Critics often ignore that dual nationality is generally accepted for second and third generation children already who receive a German passport at birth; the ongoing reform is about naturalisation only. Supporters often ignore theoretical tensions of dual nationality in terms of external voting by non-residents and regarding the promotion of ethno-cultural notions of belonging with countries of origin.