# Going back home...to Germany..... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671 "2001-04-28T21:17:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/1 "2001-04-28T21:17:07Z")
… to live out the rest of my years is my fondest wish. I was born there of an American father and German mother, but we left to come to Georgia when I was 11 - old enough to know I was “leaving home”. I have been here since 1960 and been in the work force since 65. I am a naturalized American (had to, so that I could join the USAF during the Viet Nam years) and will retire in 14 years. (I’ll let _y’all_ do the math:D) Nowadays, Germany is all about keeping people out, not letting them back in, and the German Consulate has been of no help to me. (Apparently, just wanting to retire there is not reason enough for them). So I’m asking y’all, (the TEEMSTERS) what you would recommend I do? Renounce my American Citizenship? What then about my Social Security? Although not really my choice, having been an American has been “berry, berry gut for me”, and I do not want to leave under those circumstances. I would just preferliving out the golden years with family and friends back in the “Fatherland”. I await with great anticipation your answers. Danke! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/2 "2001-04-28T21:28:45Z")
Depending on what skills you have, you possibly could get a work permit or visa for another EU country. Work there long enough to obtain that country’s citizenship, and then you’re free to live in Germany, or any other EU country you want. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/3 "2001-04-28T21:40:33Z")
…as a respiratory therapist do not translate into a work skill in Germany. Q ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2001, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/4 "2001-04-28T21:42:30Z")
Try Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2001, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/5 "2001-04-28T22:24:23Z")
You may be eligible for a German passport, which would allow you to live and work anywhere in the European Union. See [http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/passport990222.html](http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/passport990222.html) I would suggest you talk with a lawyer who is familiar with German immigration law. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2001, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-back-home-to-germany/63671/6 "2001-04-29T00:03:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > \*\*Work there long enough to obtain that country’s citizenship, and . \*\* Well, that’s a problem too. I once tried that in Germany with a work visa and the company that employed me went bankrupt and I was unable to find other work in order to remain and had to return to the states. Whether in Germany or Ireland, that kind of situation is just too “iffy” for me to risk again. But thanks for your suggestion. Q