On May 19, 2023, The German Department of the Interior (Bundesinnenministerium – BMI) published a proposal for a reform of the nationality law (Citizenship Act – Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz – StAG). If passed in parliament, the new law will significantly change the rules on naturalization in Germany. It will make the acquisition of German citizenship much easier […]
On August 20, 2021, a new law became effective in Germany that opens the door for many persons with a German parent or grand parent, to become German citizens. A number of discriminatory rules previously prevented certain persons with a German mother, father, or grand parent from becoming a German citizen at birth. For example, […]
You have lived in Germany for a number of years and would like to become a German citizen? Here are the requirements in a nutshell: Legal residence in Germany You must have lived in Germany for the approprate length of time: 8 years, or7 years with completed integration course, or6 years with better German skills […]
Are you planning on starting a business in Germany or the United States? We can give you comprehensive advice, from helping you find the best business form, to handling the entire formation process, to providing counsel and advice to your business as it continues to grow and expand. Starting a business is a process. It […]
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are required to file and pay American taxes no matter where they live. This means, Americans living in Germany still need to file their taxes with the IRS. (The only way out of this is to renounce U.S. citizenship, a decision which should not be taken lightly, but is something […]
You have recently started a new business in Germany and you are excited that you have found your first customers. Now you want to go ahead and issue your first invoices. Before you do so, make sure you have included all legally required information. Section 14 of the German Value Added Tax Act (Umsatzsteuergesetz, UStG) […]
The formation and registration of a Limited Liability Company (Gesellschaft mit mit beschränkter haftung – GmbH), the standard business entity in Germany, is a tedious and and time-consuming endeavor compared with the formation procedures in other European countries. Estonia, for example, offers online company registration to be completed within a matter of days. Not so […]
Thinking about setting up a corporation in Germany? There are several key decisions you will want to consider, including how you want your company to be organized, what type of liability you are comfortable with, as well as how much and what kind of investments you anticipate. This article covers three of the most basic […]
Germany’s economy is booming and the country is in desperate need of skilled professionals in various industries. In order to attract highly qualified individuals, Germany introduced the Blue Card EU for Germany in 2012, (based on a European Union Directive, 2009/50 EG). The Blue Card EU for Germany is a residence and work permit that […]