Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 5 October (HL2318), what is the timescale by which migrants accepted by Germany as refugees could be granted German citizenship with the right to freedom of movement to the United Kingdom.

The granting of German citizenship is a matter for the German Government. An asylum seeker who is recognised as refugee in Germany will initially be issued a residence permit which is time-limited to three years. A refugee can subsequently apply for an unlimited settlement permit after three years residence in Germany.

Eligibility for applying for naturalisation includes the requirement to have had lawful residence in Germany for eight years. This period can be reduced to seven years if the applicant has attended a German integration course successfully and can be reduced further to six years in the case of special integration measures. Free movement rights, including travel to the UK without the requirement of a visa, can only be exercised after an applicant has been granted German citizenship.