Does Germany offer refugees a path to citizenship?
<p>Refugees have been flooding into Germany.  Under German law do these refugees have a path to citizenship?  Or if their situation is temporary would they be expected to leave the country when asked?</p>

<p>German asylum law is codified in the "<a href="http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/index.html">Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet</a>" (English translation: <a href="http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/index.html">"Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory Residence Act"</a>), or short AufenthG. The paragraphs in this answer all apply to this law unless noted otherwise. This is a very, very long and complex law and the explanations here are grossly oversimplified. I am not a lawyer. This is all my personal interpretation of the laws as a layman. When you want to know it exactly, please read the full law or ask a lawyer to explain it.</p>

<p>A foreigner who requests asylum in Germany has permission to stay in the country until their request for asylum has been processed (§25).</p>

<p>When the request is denied (for example, because they come from a country considered safe or because there is insufficient evidence that they are in danger in their home-country), they become illegal immigrants and will have to leave the country as soon as possible (§50), if necessary by force (§58). The foreigner can even be imprisoned until a deportation is possible (§62).</p>

<p>When the request is accepted, they get a time-limited permission to stay in the country for up to 3 years (§26) which can be extended for another 2 years afterwards. During that extension process it is reconfirmed if they still are in danger in their home-country. When the situation has changed, the extension might not get granted and they have to leave the country. </p>

<p>When the asylum extension was granted, the refugee can apply for a permanent settlement permit. Such a permit allows the foreigner to stay in Germany indefinitely. However, this does not make them a German citizen yet. </p>

<p>To become a German citizen with full access to social security, a German passport, voting rights etc., a foreigner needs not only a permanent settlement permit but also to go through the process of "Einbürgerung" (naturalization) according to § 10 <a href="http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/rustag/BJNR005830913.html">Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz</a> (<a href="http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stag/englisch_stag.html">Nationality Act</a>). There are several personal requirements for this, like living in Germany for several years, having a permanent employment, not committing any crimes and also passing a written citizenship test.</p>

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