Americans - US Passport Renewal & NE

[bethannbitt]

My latest permit, the NE which was issued a month ago, is not tied to any passport number. It just shows shows my nationality. The case worker mentioned twice that it’s no longer necessary to apply for a new one when the passport changes. Just get a new card in ten years.

[Nixon]

That is new to me. Good to know, thanks.

[Fraufruit]

Does that mean that I won't need to get a new NE when I get my new Ami passport? Is it retro-active or only for new NE cards?

[bethannbitt]

Does that mean that I won't need to get a new NE when I get my new Ami passport? Is it retro-active or only for new NE cards?

Good question! I wouldn't necessarily assume so, but ask your local bureaucrat. Your next NE will just say "Staatsangehörigkeit USA" and you'll just show your current passport. Maybe get a new NE when you get your next passport and then you're under this new regime.

[bethannbitt]

Upon realizing that under the new current laws, that after only 5 rather than 8 years here and being in possession of a NE, I can now apply for German citizenship, I've begun to seriously consider the option. Why? Cuz I can! And, cuz at the moment its EZ PZ to be a dual citizen, which can change on a dime in the not so distant future. And, it's currently a crazy world! So perhaps more options are better than fewer?

Maybe I am barking up a wrong tree. Perhaps I am being swayed by stress and turmoil. IDK. Any other American out there thinking on this? For me, there's no harm in thinking. I can contact the person I need to know immediately via email to get it going. But I'm the type who generally thinks long and hard before making a major decision and then says "I did my best with the info I had at the time. Leave the rest to the universe."

I feel well informed on how residing in Germany affects both income and inheritance taxes while I reside here, as well as what tweaks citizenship would impose on my current situation. I have an excellent German CPA that I discussed this with back in 2020 and I've just reviewed our correspondence. In any case, I am snug as a bug in my little corner of the world and wanna live out my days here.

[Nixon]

What would tax/inheritance wise change if you would get a German citizenship too?
I would probably apply for it too, If my German was not an obstacle for me to get a citizenship.

[kaffeemitmilch]

Upon realizing that under the new current laws, that after only 5 rather than 8 years here and being in possession of a NE, I can now apply for German citizenship, I've begun to seriously consider the option. Why? Cuz I can! And, cuz at the moment its EZ PZ to be a dual citizen, which can change on a dime in the not so distant future. And, it's currently a crazy world! So perhaps more options are better than fewer?

Maybe I am barking up a wrong tree. Perhaps I am being swayed by stress and turmoil. IDK. Any other American out there thinking on this? For me, there's no harm in thinking. I can contact the person I need to know immediately via email to get it going. But I'm the type who generally thinks long and hard before making a major decision and then says "I did my best with the info I had at the time. Leave the rest to the universe."

I feel well informed on how residing in Germany affects both income and inheritance taxes while I reside here, as well as what tweaks citizenship would impose on my current situation. I have an excellent German CPA that I discussed this with back in 2020 and I've just reviewed our correspondence. In any case, I am snug as a bug in my little corner of the world and wanna live out my days here.

As you're in a small town, it will probably also take a very short time to get it, so go for it!

[bethannbitt]

Upon realizing that under the new current laws, that after only 5 rather than 8 years here and being in possession of a NE, I can now apply for German citizenship, I've begun to seriously consider the option. Why? Cuz I can! And, cuz at the moment its EZ PZ to be a dual citizen, which can change on a dime in the not so distant future. And, it's currently a crazy world! So perhaps more options are better than fewer?

Maybe I am barking up a wrong tree. Perhaps I am being swayed by stress and turmoil. IDK. Any other American out there thinking on this? For me, there's no harm in thinking. I can contact the person I need to know immediately via email to get it going. But I'm the type who generally thinks long and hard before making a major decision and then says "I did my best with the info I had at the time. Leave the rest to the universe."

I feel well informed on how residing in Germany affects both income and inheritance taxes while I reside here, as well as what tweaks citizenship would impose on my current situation. I have an excellent German CPA that I discussed this with back in 2020 and I've just reviewed our correspondence. In any case, I am snug as a bug in my little corner of the world and wanna live out my days here.

As you're in a small town, it will probably also take a very short time to get it, so go for it!

[bethannbitt]

Thx for the support! Gonna begin my online application this week. Registered in late February for the first available spot for the "Leben in DE" test, May 19th. For my NE I was allowed to skip taking a TELC B-1 test by demonstrating language proficiency in other ways (many DaF B2-C1 Vhs courses, help kids at a grade school with German and math homework, member of several local clubs, ...). I'm not afraid of the hurdle, but I wanna skate by without it if possible cuz I'm a very busy, well integrated, Oma. I'll keep ya posted.

[kaffeemitmilch]

Thx for the support! Gonna begin my online application this week. Registered in late February for the first available spot for the "Leben in DE" test, May 19th. For my NE I was allowed to skip taking a TELC B-1 test by demonstrating language proficiency in other ways (many DaF B2-C1 Vhs courses, help kids at a grade school with German and math homework, member of several local clubs, ...). I'm not afraid of the hurdle, but I wanna skate by without it if possible cuz I'm a very busy, well integrated, Oma. I'll keep ya posted.

They didn't ask me for either for my NE, but I needed both for citizenship, FWIW. I crammed for 3 days for the TELC test and got a Sehr Gut. I'd never learned German formally. I basically converted my informally learned Dutch into German. So, I'm sure it'd be easier for you. For the other test, there are questions you can just memorize.

[bethannbitt]

Did you apply online and then they said you must take a TELC B-1 in order to proceed or were you told somehow in advance? It simply isn't clear to me whether this is negotiable or not. If it's not then I've gotta search and find a way to sign up for a B1 test somewhere.

[kaffeemitmilch]

Did you apply online and then they said you must take a TELC B-1 in order to proceed or were you told somehow in advance? It simply isn't clear to me whether this is negotiable or not. If it's not then I've gotta search and find a way to sign up for a B1 test somewhere.

Oh, there was no online application. Are you sure you're in Germany? Hehe.

This was in 2016. I emailed them asking for an appointment, and mentioned that for my first residence permit they hadn't required any language test from me, nor had they asked me to take / offered a subsidized integration course, even though I'd asked them for a voucher. They responded with the documents needed, which were very few, and there was no language or any other test on the list. Apparently my broken Dutch/German had been sufficient to prove I could get by here.

Anyway, if they asked you to take the test, best take it.

[bethannbitt]

I did the NE stuff in the fall totally online. The pandemic had a few positive effects. During yesterday morning’s Ladies Group Walk I learned that a retired gal I was walking & chatting with used to work with my assigned case worker at the Landratsamt. That friend said “E-mail her, tell her I said hello , and set up an in-person appt to discuss what you need. When she chats with you she’ll realize that you are B2+ and integrated and may waive the test.” Otherwise I’ll just take one. We have a saying here: “Konstanz ist ein Dorf!”. Updates to come.