By Ver Cuizon
I am now a Filipino citizen once again.
Now in my senior years, I have long wanted to reacquire my Filipino citizenship which I lost 39 years ago after becoming a naturalized citizen of Germany. Dual citizenship has been allowed in the Philippines since the passage of Republic Act No. 9225 in 2003. But earlier German laws would have required me to give up my German citizenship if I chose to become a Filipino national again.
So I thank German legislators for passing a new law that now makes it possible for us to reacquire our Filipino citizenship without having to give up our German passport: the Act to Modernise Nationality Law, which took effect on June 27, 2024.
Like me, many former Filipinos here who are considering retirement in the Philippines want to reclaim their Philippine citizenship. This brings many advantages. I can now stay in the Philippines as long as I want and will no longer depend on the balikbayan visa that only allows one year of continuous stay. I can better protect my properties at home and apply for a local health insurance policy (PHILHEALTH).
Problems? There is always a solution.
Many senior Pinoys like me may have already misplaced that precious Einbuergerungsurkunde or certificate of naturalization that we received decades ago. But there is no need to worry. I e-mailed a letter to the naturalization department (Einbürgerungssachgebiet) of the registration office for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) in my city (Essen) and explained my problem. This office sent me a “certificate of acquisition of German citizenship through naturalization” (Bescheinigung als Nachweis des damaligen Erwerbs der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit durch Einbürgerung). I was required to send my national identification card and pay an administrative fee of € 25. I also paid € 49 for the English translation of this document.
I sent all the required documents through email to the Consulate General in Frankfurt and was then given an appointment on Jan 22, 2025. I arrived on time and after processing all my documents, I took my Oath of Allegiance on the same day at 11:00 AM. The appointment for the passport application was slated at 1 pm; I completed the application process after an hour and was told that I will receive my passport 4-6 weeks after the date of my application.
We paid €60 for the Philippine passport reacquisition/retention fee and €66 for the passport processing fee. (If you want your passport to be delivered to your address, bring an envelope with €4.25 postal stamps for special delivery.)
We were 13 applicants on that day and the whole process went smoothly. I left the consulate with feelings of excitement after completing the process of reacquiring my Philippine citizenship.
---
The complete procedures and documents required for the reacquisition of a Philippine passport are specified at the website of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin. The Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt also explains the procedures involved at their website: https://frankfurtpcg.de/filipino-citizenship
Required documents are also listed on the application form for the reacquisition of a Philippine passport posted on the website of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt.
Details about Germany’s new Act to Modernise Nationality Law that took effect on 27 June 2024 may be found at the website of the German Foreign Affairs office:
Commenti