America used to take applying for a passport (or serving for a military) as evidence of infidelity (though if you were born with more than one that was OK.) But they made one exception – Israel (the reason we were taught was that it was unfair so many countries didn't recognise an Israeli passport.) Bill Clinton was trying to descalate with the Muslim world and eliminate Israeli exceptions, so changed this interpretation and allowed application for new passports without losing the old. But as I understand it, both of these are just interpretations of the executive, there's no explicit law either way. When I took my British EU passport in 2006, I was aware Bush II might change the interpretation again, but so far no one has.
Yeah, I know it's available to Americans, I wasn't clear enough in my question. Is it available in GERMANY? I know that SOME countries are acceptable to the German authorities, but my impression is that the USA isn't one of them. Thoughts?
Germany isn't picky about who applies for citizenship. You just have to fulfill the requirements. Americans have always been able to apply. But they couldn't get dual citizenship (with a few exceptions). Up until this new law, one of the requirements was to renounce your existing citizenship unless it created a hardship or was impossible. Americans could not get dual citizenship because they had to renounce the American citizenship. With this new law. you can keep your old passport and get a German one as well.
I can confirm, breezing through the airport is indeed pretty fantastic. And then feeling like Jason Bourne with a second passport. Oh yeah, recognition of being part of an “attempt” at society is OK, too. I hope you’ll get there soon, too.
not that I've ever been on a helicopter, but how hard can it be to build a heliport, isn't that part of the point?
Andrew, my understanding is that dual German citizenship is not really available to Americans. Is this true?
America used to take applying for a passport (or serving for a military) as evidence of infidelity (though if you were born with more than one that was OK.) But they made one exception – Israel (the reason we were taught was that it was unfair so many countries didn't recognise an Israeli passport.) Bill Clinton was trying to descalate with the Muslim world and eliminate Israeli exceptions, so changed this interpretation and allowed application for new passports without losing the old. But as I understand it, both of these are just interpretations of the executive, there's no explicit law either way. When I took my British EU passport in 2006, I was aware Bush II might change the interpretation again, but so far no one has.
Oh, interesting. Border guards have definitely bristled in the US when they found out my kids have dual. But dual is the future.
I should say, it never occurred to me that someone would take my *EU* passport away.
It is available to Americans. Until now, Germany was the problem, not the US. So once this passes, bob's and Klaus are both your uncle.
Yeah, I know it's available to Americans, I wasn't clear enough in my question. Is it available in GERMANY? I know that SOME countries are acceptable to the German authorities, but my impression is that the USA isn't one of them. Thoughts?
Germany isn't picky about who applies for citizenship. You just have to fulfill the requirements. Americans have always been able to apply. But they couldn't get dual citizenship (with a few exceptions). Up until this new law, one of the requirements was to renounce your existing citizenship unless it created a hardship or was impossible. Americans could not get dual citizenship because they had to renounce the American citizenship. With this new law. you can keep your old passport and get a German one as well.
Thanks so much Andrew! Love the Substack!
I can confirm, breezing through the airport is indeed pretty fantastic. And then feeling like Jason Bourne with a second passport. Oh yeah, recognition of being part of an “attempt” at society is OK, too. I hope you’ll get there soon, too.