The Ultimate Guide to the Duties of a German Citizen

Are you thinking about becoming a German citizen but aren’t sure about the roles and responsibilities that come with it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this comprehensive list of the duties of a German citizen. 

What do we mean by the duties of a German citizen?

So, first things first, when we speak about the duties of a German citizen, we don’t mean physical acts or chores. For instance, compulsory military service in Germany was canceled back in 2011, so there aren’t any formal, physical duties or responsibilities that come with German citizenship.

These are more responsibilities and values that Germany likes to instill in their citizens to create a peaceful democratic society. They’re directly related to the rights you receive as a German citizen. Many of them are similar to the rights and responsibilities of many Western democracies, so a few of them might just seem like common sense. 

What are the differences between duties and rights?

At the core of it all, the differences between duties and rights are pretty simple. Your rights are what’s given to you as a German citizen. Things like the right to life, the right to religious tolerance, the right to be who you are, and all of those kinds of things.

Your duties as a German citizen are the way in which you respect the rights and bring them to life in your everyday goings-on. For example, take the right to life, your duty as a German citizen is to respect the right to life and not use violence on anyone. It’s pretty straightforward and you’ll see how they match up in the next section.

What are the duties of a German citizen?

Okay, so what actually are the duties of a German citizen? Let’s dive into the different duties and how they work in a more practical way. As I said, many of these are common sense or rules of society around the world, but let’s be honest, sometimes they need to be repeated!

german flag in front of government building

Treat everyone with respect

This should be a no-brainer but it’s not always the way. The right that’s attached to this particular duty is “Human dignity shall not be violated”. What this means in layman’s terms is that it doesn’t matter who you are, every human being has the right to be treated like a human being.

Your duty as a German citizen is to treat everyone like a human being. This sounds like common sense, but with what’s going on in the world, some people have a tendency to forget this!

Everyone can develop their personality freely

Under German law, everyone has the right to be who they want to be and to develop their personality freely without anyone else trying to stop them. As a German citizen, it’s your duty to become who you are, have your own personality, and not violate anyone else’s freedom of expression or personality.

Everyone’s got the right to develop their own personality in German at their own pace! Be who you are and don’t infringe anyone else’s right to do the same!

Respect the right to life and not use violence

Again, this is another pretty straightforward duty. As everyone has the right to life in Germany, it’s your duty as a citizen to not use violence to injure or threaten this right.

A lot of these duties also tie into the basic laws of Germany, so obviously if you kill or injure someone on purpose there are legal consequences. So, not only is it a duty of a German citizen, it’s also a law that you absolutely have to follow. 

Respect all people equally under the law

This means that all people have equal rights, so you should treat everyone equally. This is another one that sounds like common sense, but it’s your duty as a German citizen to respect all people equally in accordance with German law.

It doesn’t matter what their age is, what their socio-economic status, professional position, or anything – everyone has equal rights and should be treated as such! It’s not a difficult duty to get your head around, it’s pretty basic stuff here. 

statue of lady justice

No one can be treated as a possession

So, everyone has freedom of choice and self-determination in Germany. What that means is that you have the freedom to make your own decisions without being influenced or pressured by anyone else. As a result, your duty as a German citizen is to not treat anyone like a possession.

You cannot own anyone or pressure anyone into doing something that they don’t want to do. This goes hand-in-hand with the right to your own personality. Having autonomy of self is super important and that’s why it’s so prevalent in these various rights, duties, and responsibilities. 

You cannot discriminate against anyone based on: sex, origin, race, language, homeland, religious or political beliefs, or disability. 

Discrimination laws are present in German law, but it’s also a requirement of being a German citizen. As a German citizen, you have the right to live free from discrimination based on the following:

  • Sex
  • Origin
  • Race
  • Language
  • Homeland
  • Beliefs
  • Religious opinions
  • Political opinions
  • Disability

So, it stands to reason that the duty of a German citizen would be to not discriminate against anyone based on the above categories. Well, that’s exactly how it works! No one should discriminate against you and in return, you shouldn’t be discriminating against anyone else. It’s as simple as that!  

You can’t force anyone to believe what you want

As you have the right to believe in what you want, it’s your duty as a German citizen to be tolerant and let other people have their own beliefs. The bottom line is that you can’t force anyone to believe what you want them to believe.

Forcing your beliefs on others is not okay and is not tolerated in German society. Everyone’s allowed their own beliefs, including you, so allow everyone to have their own values and belief system.

Accept that other people can express their opinions and beliefs freely and tolerate this. 

This one is quite a contentious one due to the free speech debates that are happening all around the world, but it’s your right as a German citizen to express your opinions and beliefs freely, as you see fit. Of course, you cannot discriminate or push beliefs on people while you’re expressing yourself, but you are allowed to voice your opinion.

As you’re allowed to freely express your opinions and beliefs freely, it’s your duty as a German citizen to be tolerant of different points of view. The reasoning behind this is the thought that debate and differences make for a more vibrant democracy. Understanding and tolerating other points of view increases our worldview and opens up our perspectives. 

Raise and care for your children in accordance with German law

So, you can bring up and raise your children any way you like as long as you aren’t breaking any German law – that’s your right as a German citizen. There are German laws against spanking or hitting your kids, so it’s your duty as a German parent to raise, care for, and not hit your children.

This, again, should be a no-brainer, but it’s a right and a duty that every German citizen is afforded. Make sure your kids are safe and loved, that’s the bottom line here!

Ensure that your kids attend school

It’s a legal requirement that all children in Germany attend school. As a result, the state schools in Germany are completely free. It’s your duty as a German citizen to make sure that your kids go to school as required depending on their age and that they’re able to freely focus on their schoolwork while they’re at school.

Do not carry any weapons

Unlike in the US, you cannot carry weapons around in Germany. This is a result of the right to gather for peaceful protests without carrying weapons that escalate matters. So, it’s your duty to not carry any weapons of any kind around with you, especially if you’re thinking of attending a protest.

Peaceful protest is a protected right in Germany and a hugely important one. It’s your duty as a German system not to jeopardize that for you and everyone else!

You cannot open anyone’s letters

Like many other countries, Germany’s postal service is an official government department, so opening other people’s lessons is actually a crime. Even the state isn’t allowed to open your letters without explicit permission from you.

So, in turn, you can’t open anyone else’s mail and that’s your duty as long as you’re a German citizen. Your post is your own private business and you can do with it what you will!

You cannot enter someone else’s accommodation without permission

It’s a law and right in Germany that no one can enter your home without the permission of the owner or, in some cases, a judge. Given that this is a right, it’s your duty, as a German citizen not to enter anyone else’s home without permission.

Of course, this is another duty that overlaps with a law, so if you unlawfully enter another person’s house without permission you can be charged and jailed.

You have to treat state property with care

Whether it’s school buildings, parks, town halls, or even benches and railings, it’s your duty as a German citizen to take care of state property and teach it with respect. As many of the state buildings and physical property are paid for by the taxpayer, it’s basically just like taking care of your own property.

If you look after the state property, it won’t need replacing as often, which means there are more state funds to spend on other services and functions!

You have a duty to comply with asylum guidelines and procedures in an honest way

If you’re fleeing a warzone and are seeking asylum in Germany, it’s your duty to comply with the given procedures and tell the truth about your situation. Anyone fleeing war has the right to apply for asylum in Germany, but only if they follow the guidelines and measures put in place by the government and refugee agencies.

You can have to treat the “natural foundations of life”, such as air, water, and the ground, with respect and care

This might sound like an unusual duty compared to some of the others, but as a German citizen, you have to treat air, water, and earth with respect and care. Sometimes referred to as the “natural foundations of life”, these elemental factors form a healthy and happy society, so it’s your duty as a citizen to help protect them.

Think of it this way, you want to have safe drinkable water as well as safe swimming waters in your lakes and seas, so a lot of the time, it’s the responsibility of the citizens to promote environmentally friendly practices to keep pollution low and the ecosystem as healthy as it can be. Practically, this looks like recycling more often, being more eco-conscious with your water usage in the summer months, and avoiding single-use plastic where you can.

What are the rights of a German citizen?

Okay, so now we’ve gone through some of the major duties that come with being a German citizen, it’s time to quickly look at some of the rights you can have when you become a German citizen. There are plenty of great benefits when it comes to being a German citizen, but here are a few of the major ones. Let’s dive in and find out more!

German passport and visa

The right to vote

One of the main differences between a permanent resident and a German citizen is that you receive the right to vote. Whether that’s a local or national election, if you’re a citizen, you are clear to exercise your democratic right and have your say.

This means that you can voice your political opinion and vote to change the government’s priorities from time to time. With each party putting forward a manifesto and making campaign pledges before the elections, you can choose based on the causes and issues that matter most to you.

The right to freedom of movement

As a member of the 27 European Union states, German citizens can take full advantage of the EU freedom of movement rules. This means that German citizens can visit, live, study, or work in other EU countries without having to get a visa.

This is a huge benefit because it gives you flexibility for where you can live and work. Want to do your Masters degree in another EU country like The Netherlands? Well, you can. Want to hop across the border to Austria for a vacation on short notice? It’s not a problem with the right to freedom of movement.

The right of assembly and association

As a German citizen, you have the right to congregate peacefully in order to protest as well as join any club, association, or group that you see fit. The right to peaceful protest is massively important for keeping democracy in action and keeping the government in check. 

You also have the right to gather and be part of an association. Finding your people helps you to find your place in society and find like-minded people.

Whether that’s through a religious group, a sports club, political parties, trade unions, and more, you can affiliate yourself with whatever organization you like as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. 

The right of consular protection

When you’re traveling overseas, sometimes the worst can happen and you need the protection of a consulate or embassy. As a German citizen, you have to the right to go to either of these places to seek help or assistance.

There are German embassies and consulates in the vast majority of countries and major cities, so you should be covered wherever you are in the world. 

Whether you’ve lost your passport or had it stolen, there’s been a change in the political situation of the country you’re in, or there’s some kind of global pandemic, having somewhere to go in an emergency to help you get home is a really valuable resource.

Much like insurance, it’s one of those things that’s reassuring to know that you have access to, but you hope that you’re never going to need it!

Unrestricted access to the German job market

It’s hardly news that the German job market is one of the best in the whole of Europe with a relatively low rate of unemployment. On the whole, this means that it’s much easier to find a job in Germany than it is in many other other European countries, including France and Italy. 

When you’re a German citizen, you gain unrestricted access to the German job market, as well as the job markets of the other 26 EU member states. It’s a huge bonus when it comes to finding a job that’s right for you. Whether you’re a recent graduate, looking for a higher-paying position, or just want a change of scenery, there should be plenty of options open to you in the German job market.

As Germany is one of the international banking hubs, many multinational corporations have satellite offices around the country, making the possibility of internal transfers around the world a viable option. Particularly if you’re working in banking or financial services, Germany can be a really handy place to work as you’ll be near the financial capital of Europe in Frankfurt. 

The right to become a civil servant

So, the right to become a civil servant might not sound amazing, but these are the higher positions in the government system, so if you want to make a difference in how Germany is run, realistically, you’re going to want to become a civil servant.

Known as Beamte in German, being a civil service comes with some pretty great legal protections. For example, you can only be fired from being a Beamte if you commit an actual crime. It’s unlike any other job in the private sector where you can get fired for a whole host of things before it gets to felony status.

However, you only have the right to become a civil servant if you’re a German citizen, otherwise, you can work in government as a public employee.  

Getting German citizenship

In order to have access to all these rights and duties of being a German citizen, you need to actually become a German citizen. Now, this process can take some time, especially if you’re going through the naturalization system.

Processing time alone can be anywhere up to a couple of years, so if you want to secure your German citizenship, you’re going to have to be pretty patient. Bureaucracy doesn’t speed up for anyone!

Working out if you’re eligible

First things first, you need to work out if you’re actually eligible for German citizenship. Not everyone is, so it’s important to check whether you meet the criteria or not before setting your heart on becoming a German citizen.

Naturalization

One of the most common ways to become a German citizen is by naturalization. Basically, this is the process where you’ve lived in Germany so long that you’ve soaked up all the values and practicalities of what it’s like to be a German, and are now rewarded with all the rights and duties of German citizenship. 

This is not a short-term process. You have to live in Germany for at least eight years, or seven years if you take a German integration course. Essentially, this shows that you know all about German culture, history, and language and that you’re ready to become a German citizen.

You also need to be able to speak German to at least a B1 level, have a clean criminal record, prove that you can financially support yourself and your dependents, and pass a citizenship test. As you can see, this is a lengthy process, which will require you to find a path to permanent residency before being able to apply for German citizenship.

In order to stay in Germany for eight years as a permanent resident, you need to be able to apply for visas every few years. Whether that’s through sponsored working visas, student visas, freelancing, or more, there are plenty of routes to naturalization, depending on your situation.

By descent

If you have German parents or grandparents, you might be able to secure German citizenship through your family tree. There are a lot of rules and regulations around gaining German citizenship through descent. A

s the history of Germany in the past 100 years has been fractured, to say the least, there are different rules based on when your relative was born and whether they were born in or out of wedlock. There are also rules around which of your parents were German citizens and whether that means you’re eligible or not. 

In order to apply, you’re going to need a ton of marriage and birth certificates, including family trees to tie together your paperwork with your family’s. It’s a lot of paperwork to prep and bring together, so that can take a lot of time in itself. Make sure you have time to gather it all up before you apply for citizenship and get that all-important German citizenship appointment!

By birth

If you happen to be born in Germany to at least one parent who has lived in Germany for eight years or has a permanent residence permit by the time you’re born, you can opt for German citizenship. When you reach the age of 18, you have up to five years to decide if you want to stick with your parent’s citizenship, swap to German citizenship, or – if you’re eligible – get dual citizenship.

This way of getting German citizenship is only open to children who were born after the 2nd of February 1990, so if you were born before this then this option is not going to be viable for you and naturalization is your best bet. 

By marriage

If you’re married to a German citizen, you can apply for German citizenship by marriage. This is a form of the naturalization process, but it can be a quicker timeline. 

Although you still have to meet all the criteria that come with naturalization, like speaking B1 German and completing the citizenship test, you may only have to prove that you’ve lived in Germany for three years rather than eight.

You need to be married to your German spouse for at least two years. You may have to take the German integration test before you apply as this is a quicker path to citizenship than the regular naturalization process. 

Final words on the duties of a German citizen

So, if you’re thinking about becoming a German citizen, you’re going to have a whole host of duties that come along with those perks. Although the vast majority of these duties are just common sense, it’s worth making a note of the duties of your new homeland.

Some of these duties are even tied into German laws, so maintaining them will also keep you out of jail. Fundamentally, the duties of a German citizen are there to help instill the values and responsibilities of German society.

Many of these will come as second nature or have parallels with other countries, so these duties are less about physically acting or having to sign up for service, but they’re about how you act and behave in everyday life. 

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