notathome

We have lived here for 40 years and have often considered taking German nationality. The main reason would be the right to vote in general elections. Right now we only have the right to vote in the European Parliament elections and local council ones. Trouble is we are still undecided as to whether we'll spend the rest of our lives here or not.
Have any of you taken the plunge? Does anyone have an idea as to how easy it would be to get our British nationality back if we did decide to return to the UK in years to come?

MartinH

Without wishing to sound cynical - I am 44 now and have not voted since I was 18 (and have no intention of voting again).

Unless there is some financial benefit why bother?

notathome

We have always been interested in politics, and like to have our say in who rules the country. If everyone had voted recently we wouldnt have the terrible extremists in the EU parliament now.

JAJ

You don't have to renounce British nationality, as there is now an exemption for those from EU member states.
http://www.en.bmi.bund.de/cln_012/nn...gkeit__en.html

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Acquir...te_Citizenship

notathome

JaJ, thanks for that, most interesting. We shall contact the Federal ministry of the interior and see what happens. I shall let you know how we get on.

JAJ

also try this forum:
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/...howtopic=16887

I would try to get it asap ... you don't know what will transpire in terms of relations between Britain and the EU in coming years and you do want to protect your status in Germany.

notathome

Yes, we are contacting a lawyer next week, got to sort out matters such as inheritance, last will and testament etc. We have no children, so important. If all goes well we shall get dual nationality. Last year it was also supposed to be possible, but we were faced with problems. I shall let you know the outcome. Thanks again.

JAJ

Bavaria (if that's where you are) was apparently the slowest state to implement the new rules. But do understand that a lawyer dealing in estate matters isn't necessarily going to know much about citizenship, so you may need to find another.

notathome

Yes we are in Bavaria. The British Consulate issues lists of lawers who are experienced in UK citizens living in the area. Our local lawers couldnt even tell us whether we come under British or German inheritance laws with single nationality! German inheritance laws have changed and our brother and sisters would have to pay most of anything they inherit from us in tax.
Thanks again JAJ.

Evelin

not quite, 30% tax above 20,000 Euros, but true, the tax has increased.

notathome

We dont have children, so 30% would apply to most of our inheritance. In the UK the total sum is taxed and then split up, here it is split up and then taxed, so above 20,000 euros, each sibling pays 30% on what they inherit.

JAJ

Still only 30% ... not quite " ... most of anything they inherit from us in tax." as you suggested earlier.