Why Are So Many Americans Suddenly Getting GERMAN Citizenship Right Now? 🇩🇪

[@PassportTwo]

Get a free quote from Expats Overseas today! 🔥👉 expatsoverseas.com/?

[@iven1837]

Hi @PassportTwo, perhaps that is a recomodation for a future video topic: paying child support as a german father living in Germany to a US american mother that are living in the US. I can tell you on a personal perspective it is absolutely crazy how it can possibly get and brings you also as a normal german employee with a normal income easy near or over to the poverty line in Germany. Thanks Iven

[@germaniatv1870]

Because the German Government is giving away German Citizenship like Hot-Buns and the Germans dont like it. Sorry. I hope you understand that the German public has a huge problem with giving away citizenship like this. We have Turks living here for over 30 years and they dont get Citizenship, newcomers do... Sorry, im not down with that. I lived in America, i had a permanent visa, i never asked for Citizenship.

[@goodone5590]

Come to Austria! Its better heare!

[@germaniatv1870]

@@goodone5590 Austria has 83.871 km² Land. Austria wants 100.000 Refugees. You dont have the space to invite the people like you would have 9 Million km² settling-space. People get Citizenship right now because the German Government is handing it out like hot-buns, which is very strange.

[@goodone5590]

@@germaniatv1870 we want immigrants just not islamic ones

[@matt47110815]

Murica won't see another Tax Dollar frome me! Nu uh! 😄 I am German, lived nearly 25 years in the US. Initially i considered becoming an US Citizen (and in doing so would have lost my EU/German Citizenship), but that desire faded as the years progressed and Murica changed. When Covid hit, and i actually needed assistance - i was left hanging, leading to my conclusion, that i get crap for my taxes paid in the US. I am happy to be back in Germany. 😊

[@PassportTwo]

Welcome back to Germany! Was it the fact that you would have had to have given up your German citizenship initially that made you question if you actually wanted American citizenship or something else? I wonder if the new law coming into place allowing you to keep both would have been law back then if you would have gone ahead and gone ahead and gotten it and then how you would feel about it now?

[@hone-i1d]

@@PassportTwo You actually loose your German passport if you apply for another citizenship except an EU/Swiss one. That way Sandra Bullock, who is basically German, lost her German citizenship when becoming 18.

[@franhunne8929]

@@hone-i1d Not anymore - the new citizenship law changes that!

[@rivenoak]

@@hone-i1d nope, Sandra renounced actively. she was entitled to dual citizenship by birth due to her parents

[@orange13]

you - anyone with a German passport - can file for a "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung". with this document, you can become a US citizen without giving up your German one. all you have to do is showing that you still have ties back to Germany and that not becoming a US citizen has a negative impact on your live or career. Once approved, the Genehmigung is valid for 2 years in which you can become US citizen without giving up the German passport.

[@musicofnote1]

Did this in 2013. Renounced my US citizenship after having become Swiss in 2004. No regrets.

[@Locomaid]

Same!

[@raketensven3127]

Swiss passport is in any way superior to the german. (I'm german)

[@tic-tacdrin-drinn1505]

Like Tina Turner...

[@ThePhantom712]

Looks like some one has money.

[@hikingviking859]

Switzerland 20 years later is not the same!

[@christinehorsley]

A problem is that “Rente” (German retirement benefit = Social Security) is not considered “earned income” by the IRS, and therefore my husband and I, as retirees with only “Rente” as sole income, cannot take the FEIE (foreign earned income exclusion) which we took during our years of regular employment in Germany. (I am German, my husband is a US citizen, in order for me to use the FEIE, we had to file joint taxes and also declare me to be a “resident alien” even though I was no longer a resident in the USA.) Another problem - as regards the avoidance of double taxation - is that the USA and Germany have different exclusions, therefore you cannot simply show the IRS how much tax you paid in Germany and have that offset against your USA tax liability 1:1 Lastly, using such a special tax consulting firm for expats (and there are quite a few) is rather expensive, and as retirees with very limited income, like us, we can’t afford it and have to “muddle” through by ourselves, year after each cursed tax year … it is simply a punishment, especially when we consider that up to now we never owed a single tax dollar to the IRS (we’re not well off entrepreneurs), but are forced to fill out the cursed form 1040 etc every darn year. And of course do the FBAR reporting, which was special fun a few years ago when our bank merged with another bank and we all got new IBAN numbers in February … so for that year we had double the number of bank accounts to report 😬 I have been begging my husband to apply for German citizenship now that it’s possible (being over 65 he neither has to prove his German language skills nor take the citizenship test !!!), so that - once he’s to old to make the once every 10 years trip to Frankfurt to get his U.S. passport renewed - he’ll have at least a German passport & Personalausweis, but so far he’s been reluctant.

[@petersfluege]

The land of the free....

[@erichbreckoff3405]

If income is pension only you can talk with german tax about closing your tax account. If they agree you would only have to report back if you plan on working or do something that changes your status.

[@christinehorsley]

@@erichbreckoff3405 It doesn’t work that way. 80% of my “Rente” is the taxable part. But so far, my husband and I only had to pay 218 Euros total income tax for the year 2021, we had to pay zero for 2022. I haven’t done 2023 yet, but I also believe we won’t have to pay much, if any. So why would I bother with the German Finanzamt. Doing our German tax reporting is EASY. Both my husband and I get a deduction for disability, those kind of disabilities aren’t recognized by the IRS however. In Germany we also have a “Freibetrag” of over 800 Euros yearly for interests received, for the IRS all interest over 10 Dollars are taxable … We can take other deductions in Germany also, which we can’t claim for the US 1040 Forms … like our expenses for health insurance, labor costs for building upkeep, for the building cleaning & gardening services … So our problem is not the GERMAN income tax reporting, our problem is the US income tax reporting …

[@charleswinterfeld5107]

I have lived 8 years in Germany and have tried to get a permanent residency as an American retiree. I am over 65, but the Amt still requires the B1 German language certificate end test. Please tell me who you contacted who said this is not required?

[@christinehorsley]

@@charleswinterfeld5107 I’m trying to reply but encountered some problem and my response is gone … so I’ll try again. I made a MISTAKE when I said it applies to people over 65. The simplified procedure (no language proficiency certificate, no “Wissenstest” applies to people over 67 !!! (My husband is over 67.) A condition that must be met is that one must have been a legal resident for a certain number of years. (My husband has had the Aufenthaltstitel resp Niederlassungserlaubnis for roughly 30 years now.) This is part of the new German Citizenship law which will come into effect on June 26th, 2024. In a bit less than 3 weeks. It was publicized by the Deutschlandfunk. And I read it in a government website, I think it was NRW, but I can’t find it now. I found some information in English on the below website, read where it says “… older people and children will also benefit from the new law …” www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/2024-germany-all-changes-you-need-know-about

[@baramuth71]

I think every American who lives and works here has recognized the advantages of living here. And why should I still live in a country (USA) when I have to work much more there, have far fewer vacations, where I have to pay far more for my health, plus the doctor and the hospital. Where I have to run the risk of being mugged or even shot by some lunatic on the street. Where my cost of living has risen to infinity. Where my food contains chemicals and harmful additives. No, you don't want that. And then live in a country where you can have it better. Not everything is perfect, but in contrast to the USA it is.

[@marrykurie48]

Tell that to "Feli from Germany"...

[@dadl13]

@@marrykurie48 I don't think that she's oblivious to these facts. I believe she just lives in a nice neighbourhood where you aren't confronted with these issues.

[@Opa_Andre]

@@marrykurie48 In one of her older Q&A videos she got that question and stated that for now she wants to stay in the US but she won't live there forever. IIRC she mentioned moving back when being in the next phase of her life like when having own kids etc.

[@berndbrakemeier1418]

@@marrykurie48 Ist ihre Entscheidung, oder?

[@the_babbleboom]

i can tell you why, because americans that grew up in the USA carry all the issues with them that created all the US specific problems, and i do not want you to bring this crap here.

[@robwilliams2410]

Great roundup! 👍🏼 I’m a former American citizen who became a naturalized German citizen more than ten years ago. I have been watching the enthusiasm from numerous American KZbinrs in Germany for their new ability to become German citizens without renouncing their American citizenship. That leaves me a bit puzzled for exactly the reasons described in your video. I have an interesting story about the way I was able to become a former American citizen without having to pay the renunciation fee. 🙂

[@PascalGienger]

If you renounce US citizenship it can become very hard when you e.g. have parents or siblings in the US. You will be a tourist with all the restrictions. Ans stays over 90 days mean getting the appropriate visa etc.

[@robwilliams2410]

@@PascalGienger Yeah, I’m quite aware of that. As much as it might surprise you, I gave careful consideration about the implications of giving up American citizenship before doing so. I was eligible for German citizenship for several years before I made my decision.

[@Truman5555]

​@robwilliams2410 Ifbyou haven't paid the fee, you haven't fully renounced. Your just a dual citizen now, and the US may one day show up and demand money.

[@robwilliams2410]

@@Truman5555 No, that is not true. Mind you that I never said that what I did was renunciation. There literally is no fee associated with what I did because it wasn’t renunciation, but it produced the exact same legal result. I’ll give just one hint: what I did was described exactly in every American passport. The legal basis of my loss of citizenship is documented with the exact same level of detail. I’ve been to the exit interview, discussed this exact issue with the consul in explicit detail. Also, I have been issued my certificate of loss of citizenship from the department of State. There is more than one legal principle that can result in loss of citizenship. What I did was exactly legal, results in loss of American citizenship, just that it is not via renunciation, but a different legal path. Mind you, the law might have changed since I became a former US Citizen. Keep in mind: I’m not giving anyone legal advice. Also, you don’t know what you’re talking about.

[@MrMojo271]

@@PascalGiengerwe have millions of undocumented immigrants. I wouldn’t worry too much about overstaying your visa. Lol

[@cosycoffeee]

I’m getting German citizenship through the new Stag 5 law. My Oma couldn’t pass it down because she was a woman. Today, Germany realizes that gender discrimination is bad and they’ve made it possible for us to regain what we should have had to begin with. Excited for myself and my son. Everyone should check their family trees and see if they’re eligible for citizenship by decent. Also found out I was born an Italian citizen too lol.

[@outdooralex8158]

Congratulations do u wanna life in us Country ore wanna life in the USA?

[@KaiHenningsen]

Strange. As far as I know, all my three adopted siblings (having only one German parent) started out in life with the citizenship of their mother and not that of their father.

[@Asara-k7e]

I have German ancestry from my mother's side? So I would have to show ancestors from Germany? How far back is allowed if that is even possible?

[@BQD_Central]

@@Asara-k7e That's how it is in the old world. Citizenship is passed down by the parents, not just that you were born on the soil. And it depends. The Russo-Germans were allowed until the mid 90s to apply for citizenship. But since back then reasonable people were in power, they limited it to a certain amount. This is normal EVERYWHERE except the US, you know?

[@ardwetha]

German Citizenship/Passport can have some advantages while traveling, because it's one of the most valuable, with access, or on arrival Visas, in like most of the countries world wide. I guess it's around 193.

[@Mamaki1987]

I heard that you have to pay taxes as a US citizen even when you live abroad. I always found that mindboggeling considering how the US started (you explained that wonderfully). Yes, you can go to Mallorca as a family. I wouldn't go in July or August because it is way too hot. But other than that: Mallorca is way more than idiots drinking themselves into a stupor. I would also recommend renting a car and get an hotel or whatever a bit outside of the main stream aeras. My mother has been living there for about 20 years now and I love visiting her. Oh and don't drink the tabwater there. You can brush your teeth and shower no problem but don't drink it because it is basically sea water with the salt removed.

[@Anson_AKB]

I can confirm this about Mallorca: decades ago i was there with my parents when i already was a bit older and we spent two nice weeks there, exploring all the different areas of the island and the beautifull landscapes, one week with guided bus tours and one with a rented car ... as long as you don't do "party/drinking holidays" eg at Ballermann or other such "german or british hotspots" along one of its coasts, it was very well suited for families. on the other hand, exploring an island and local food, wine and culture instead of "lazy beach holidays" (in one of many european destinations) might not be what children expect, depending a lot on their age.

[@dexterspeights3484]

German Passport has no citizenship-based taxation like US Passport and you have access to all EU countries which is a big bonus!

[@unknownuser6625]

I didn't file a US tax return for my first five or six years in Germany and didn't have a problem because if your income is not too high, they don't double-tax you. There is also no penalty for filing the return late if you don't owe anything. So I caught up with my returns a few years ago... I need to go back and file the last four or five years now that I think about it. Also, I accidentally went on vacation to Majorca for the week between Christmas and New Years a few years back (accidentally, because I was trying to book a package for Palma de Gran Canaria and didn't realize what I was doing when I booked a package for Palma de Majorca). During the off season I would say its ok for a family if you just want to see the sites and walk or hike in cool but not freezing weather. At least two thirds of the restaurants and venues are closed, though. I could tell that it's probably too much of a party zoo for a family during the high season. The drug dealers outnumber the tourists in some parts of Palma during the off season. And it feels kinda funny, but the Spanish drug dealers will automatically assume that you are German and will try to approach you in German on the street. Most people actually approach you in German.

[@Alias_Anybody]

Why does this sound like a hostage situation? The IRS being on their butt would be somewhat reasonable if you could at least get rid of the US citizenship freely and easily.

[@QuentinPlant]

A friend of mine was an "accidental American" because his parents worked in Boston for a year when he was born, had both US + German citizenship through his childhood. But when he was called up for military service, he had to give up his US citizenship. That was in the early 80s , don't know how it would be today.

[@SalLy-ec9cn]

Dear Donnie, Thank you for all so videos about the differences between the States and Germany. I'm native born German, and I really enjoy learning about how things are done in the US. Also, we're glad to have you!

[@PassportTwo]

These are the kinds of comments that make it all worth it! Thank you! 😊

[@Niederrheiner74]

Mallorca is a good destination for families as long as you go to the right places ;-) The island has so much more to offer than just beach parties and drinking yourself into a coma. On another topic let me just confirm that FATCA is definitely a pain in the rear. I work for a bank, and the introduction of that crazy reporting system definiteiy didn't make our lives or the lives of our customers easier. It always amazes me that all the world thinks Germany is the champion of bureaucracy, but I guess the US is a tough contender in that field :-)

[@PassportTwo]

Haha, thanks for your inside scoop that FATCA really is as annoying to foreigners without US-citizenship as well 😂

[@manub.3847]

Oh, yes, I can only agree with you. And apart from the US-based information, there are also crazy cases in which a German lives in another EU country (border commuter) and works for a German company. And then you as a banker feel stupid because you ask the customer several times to submit various, special documents. ;) Or if you move within the EU, you also need a deregistration confirmation from country a and registration confirmation from country b, in addition to the tax ID numbers.

[@PascalGienger]

When it comes to bureaucracy, USCIS comes into my mind. Yes, they still transport paper files(!) between their offices...

[@tobiasabt8398]

@@PascalGienger What?! Don't they have fax machines? 😉

[@axllii]

I suspect you've never been to India. In my experience, India is the undisputed world champion of bureaucracy (anyone who've sent stuff or travelled for work to India, knows what I mean)

[@rednebdnim]

Actually most European countries tax according to the place of employer residence with additional consideration of the main location of employment. For instance a French Person working for a German Company in their office in Germany will pay income taxes in Germany, even thiugh they might still live in France. An outside sales person for the same Company, mainly employed in France will have to pay income tax in France, eben possibly split income taxes between Germany and France, depending on the actually place where their salary is earned.

[@olafschluter706]

Wow, that is all new to me (as a german). Multi-nationality has issues most do not know about (like our fellows born by turkish parents in Germany needing to serve turkish military before being allowed to become german citizens (it's an requirement to get rid of your turkish citizenship) , when they never been to Turkey in any point of time to begin with (aside of visiting relatives of their parents during holidays)). But if you are joining our community as a citizen - welcome to the club.

[@larissakrause5620]

I think if you go to the right places Mallorca can be a wonderfull family vacation. As a kid my family and I often went to Mallorca and it was always beautiful. We stayed away from the party zones.😊

[@mweh3936]

For your random question: Use the fact that your kid is not in school yet and go to Mallorca in late summer or early autumn, lilke end of September. Then it won't be so full there, the prices are lower and the temperatures are very nice, both for the sea and the air. Don't go to the touristic hotspot Palma de Mallorca - I like the east shore. You can rent a car for the money you save by avoiding Palma.

[@holger_p]

The same rules at around the same time (2010) were introduced in Germany also, to reduce tax fraud, especially in switzerland. Since then, you don't have to report the income of you assets yourself any more - no the Bank has to report, and they have to pay the taxes (25%) for it automaticly. The tax rate is mostly lower than before, but the taxes arriving is now higher than before, cause fraud became more complicated.

[@PascalGienger]

This only applies to countries considered to be a "tax haven" for Germany. Switzerland is on the list. In the US case it is the way round. Most countries in Europe (other than Switzerland) have significant higher taxes than the US, so for most of those US citizens in Europe it is a bureaucratic nightmare for them AND the IRS but are not obligated to pay a single dollar. In fact, a huge majority in Europe fall into this group.

[@McGhinch]

Trip to Mallorca for a family? Why not? Mallorca is a lot more than "Ballermann".

[@Marco-zt6fz]

Ballermann is the worst place to visit in Mallorca. The Island is awesome and have a lots of to offer.

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Go to Menorca instead, I've heard it's better.

[@82mabli]

this. Mallorca is beautiful, I really thought "no, I don't want to go to this party island" when I got invited to come, but it's so much more.

[@franhunne8929]

We sometimes call Mallorca our 17th Bundesland (as a joke, purely as a joke, do not get your pants in knot, dear Spaniards). As a family just avoid the party centers and go to more quiet beaches. I am sure your travel agency can help you with the right place for a family, with some child daycare so you get a few minutes without child, or a babysitter service if you want to go to the restaurant alone (though Spanish people are very, very child friendly and your not quite so little bundle of joy will be received there friendly).

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Either that or go to Menorca instead which is the neighbouring island.

[@grandegracia]

Hungary also has citizenship based taxation, but combined with residence based taxation. Essentially, Hungarian citizens legally obligated to pay taxes (quite high, around 36%) on their foreign earned income unless they live in one of the maybe 73 countries with which Hungary has a tax agreement, or unless they are dual citizens. And as far as I know, because of the political tensions, the US just revoked this taxation agreement, so US citizens living in Hungary and Hungarian citizens living in the US now legally have to file taxes in both countries.

[@Morris1000100]

As a compliance officer I was responsible for QI / Fatca Agreements - US tax-bullshit we in Germany agreed to. Nothing good came out of it except a shitload of bureaucracy.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

We Europeans were actually kinda lucky that the US voted for Trump when they did. Any less inept US president wouldn't have killed off TTIP when he did, because that was basically the EU sucking up to the US. And then he tried demanding a lot of the stuff he would have gotten with TTIP some time later. TTIP would have been far more of a headache for us than any agreement in existence by now.

[@maryammohamud5308]

Same process in Canada, so annoying that as a Canadian who lives in the US I am obligated to file taxes in both Countries

[@QuentinPlant]

Mallorca - yes, but not to bigger touristy places (and not during the summer, when a small child can't enjoy everything due to sun and heat). There's still lots of beauty on that island.

[@jimidando]

I actually did a lot of family trips to Mallorca and even Ibiza and Menorca once. You just gotta stay clear of the Ballermann zones.

[@johnson.n.a.fog1]

I love this channel höhö. Oh yeah, of course Mallorca is family friendly, dude. When i was a lad in the 90s, i was there a couple of times. But it was more like a typical German vacation. Staying at the hotel, at the pool, until noon. Going for some sight seeing or just to the city center or to the beach afterwards. Eating at some restaurant in the evening. At least back then you really saw those infamous towel reservations and some cheerful and loud neighbours on the hotel balconies sometimes though. But it`s really more than just Ballermann.

[@HarleyAssi]

I gave my opinion on your German vs. american schooling system. Late to the party but I hope to help you out with some insider experiences on the 3 schools system.

[@hone-i1d]

We have been on all 3 Balearic islands. Mallorca is popular for groups and party people, Ibiza for disco people and freaks. Menorca is best suited for families with very young children. There are also many megalithic villages and taulas, which are unique to Menorca. The two smaller islands have also an advantage over Mallorca: If there is bad weather or a jellyfish invasion at your home beach you can drive with a rented car in half an hour to the opposite beaches of the islands where everything is fine.

[@RustyDust101]

While Germany's passports has dropped from rank 2 to sharing rank 3 with Spain when it comes to power, it's still not a slouch. As such the power of the passport shouldn't really be a consideration... or rather, it would be an upgrade from the US passport's rank. Because quite a few passports share ranks before reaching rank 6. Yeah, $2400 is an insane amount to pay just to get rid of essentially forced taxation without representation. The problem is that even then you have to refile all your bank info with your local banks so they don't continue sending info to the data kraken of the IRS. Considering that the USA is currently devolving into a corrupt system of at least a two-tier legal system (because that system has long since left the position of 'justice'), politicians reaching their positions by nepotism not by skill, tax dollars being spent on arming the already strongest armed forces on this planet while effectively ignoring healthcare, welfare, housing, infrastructure, policing, integration, prison system reform,... the list just seems to go on and on and on... The question is why the number of expats living in other countries looking at rescinding their US citizenship is still so low? That's my random question of the week: why do so many Americans retain their citizenship? Pride, sluggishness, patriotism? Another reason? Because I can't see a lot of other benefits from the US citizenship.

[@DavidWilliams-qr5yj]

If no family ties to a country. It's VERY expensive and difficult to gain new citizenship. Also, lots of Americans lack knowledge about foreign countries. Usa is the 2nd most traveled country in the world. They just do not leave the US. In their defense , the US is the 4th largest country in the world and can take days to get from one place to another. I'm American, and after 8 years of living outside the US. I've come to the realization that many Americans are an ignorant bunch 🙄

[@SenorJuan2023]

I'm convinced the main reason for America's overreach on taxes isn't about the money. It's about wanting to know the entire life history of its citizens. SCARY

[@praiodansmagicbox4094]

Mallorca? Yes ... just make sure you see the inside of the Island apart from the touristic centers! Beautiful island!

[@Kivas_Fajo]

I would recommend Mallorca for a family vacation, but you need to skip Palma de Mallorca. Go somewhere else there, it has plenty of opportunities. But you have to fly instead of driving. With little kids that could be kind of stressful, though it is a rather short flight of only about 2 hours. Why not the Côte d’Azur in France or Croatia/Dalmatia? You can drive it by car and you'll need no rental then. You'll also see much more of Europe on the way down South...

[@tonchrysoprase8654]

No taxation without representation is a weird notion to us DC residents. If the residents of the capital can’t get representation, good luck to our expat friends.

[@mr67927]

If a person (American) never files, then the government will never know “you exist”. It’s super simple. Don’t ask for help and you won’t be seen. Don’t rely on those you don’t like simple. Don’t complain.

[@delappedesigns]

Danke für diese Art von Videos! Bei uns hier läuft wirklich eine Menge falsch und es gibt viel zu tun, aber solche Videos lassen es mich doch immer wieder wertschätzen, als Deutscher geboren worden zu sein.

[@billdirtadventures6321]

My wife is a German dual citizen (USA) and I am American. I’m confused about what is taxable income if we move to Germany when we retire for 6+ months of the year…only social security / pension or all your investments (401k, ira, Roth IRA, dividends)? Does anyone know or have experience?

[@gregalonzo747]

I am a retired to Austria. Primarily because my wife is Austrian. However, we did stay in some other countries beforehand. While I agree that our tax laws oftentimes don't make sense, it's not enough to make me give up my citizenship. There are definitely ways of not being required to pay. All countries have ridiculous bureaucratic nonsense in one form or another. BTW, check out German pensions, they rank 15th in Europe. Iceland is #1 with Switzerland #5 and Austria #6. The sad part is if you want to visit the States you will have to apply for a visa and we know how difficult that can be. Luck to you.

[@knutritter461]

Mallorca has a beautiful scenery outside those binge-drinking locations!

[@ernestmccutcheon9576]

Hey Donnie, you forgot to mention the Exit tax! I applied for German Citizenship 2 weeks ago, but will retain my US Citizenship because of the exit tax.

[@KarlKarpfen]

Trip to Mallorca? It depends on the style of vacation you typically do. Mallorca is essentially a desert island with an inhabited coastline. Due to the size, the coastline is quite diverse, but if you aren't the family for days at the beach, I would recommend other spots around the western Mediterranean, as there are more non-beach things to see.

[@dennisburkle4276]

So a trip to mallorca as a family is great especially if you are going to the Northside of the island... Pretty landscapes, friendly people and good food

[@MrAmhara]

The US does not have jurisdiction over foreign banks but those foreign banks don’t want to lose access to the Federal Reserve System or have their assets frozen and or seized.

[@Nick-di9cf]

Mallorca is an amazing location for a family holiday, just don't go the "Ballermann". But it's a really beautiful island

[@marie9814]

Im always here for the curt scenes :D

[@PassportTwo]

I'm glad someone appreciates them! 😂

[@winterlinde5395]

How can I show that I got to the end of the video when I don’t know anything about Mallorca?

[@aghib3376]

Thank you for this informative video

[@shimone6116]

I run a company in Singapore and this ridiculous tax issues are he reason why we offered special assistance for some of our american employees when we became aware of it. Makes german bureaucracy seem to be no big deal - especially if you have a well paid job and spread your private pension plan as you should. As for Mallorca - it is a really great island to visit - just stay away from the Ballerman and english tourists regions. Take f.e. residence in the north and just make short trips to Palma if you want to visit the city.

[@Atilolzz]

Kinda funny how Germany hands out citizenships like free candy Nothing bad could ever happen from this :)

[@cicada9471]

I bet that birthrate is so low they have to. What's funny to me is that people leave the US but still depend on the US. Their tax dollars will come to us either way and they can't stop it.

[@sebschl7546]

Its just not the case.

[@kerim.s8801]

@@cicada9471 They dont have to. They have to make better laws for germans to have more children and not give illiterate people from the south citizenships.

[@fredrickroll06]

How happy I am that I renounced my

[@SCGMLB]

Ah, but the US government will say that US citizens who live abroad DO have representation. You are (supposed to be) allowed to continue to vote for the senators and representative from your last place of residence in the US (or your parents' last place of residence if you are a US citizen by descent).

[@XY-uc1tw]

compare to Germany, tax are in US very low anyway. If Americans move to Germany, they are getting huge profit from healthcare and social state, without paying system many years...eventually they misusage these systems for their benefits

[@mathewvanostin7118]

Whats actualy hilarious is that you pay almost same ammount of tax in usa then germany 😆 Its just usa tax money cause toward military gears, special geopolitical agencies, and money gift to foreign countries to influence them 😂

[@Spielkind104]

I‘ve never been to Mallorca but it doesn’t sound like a place for younger children.

[@J.Crime123]

Yeah when you open a bank Account (in person) they ask you if you need to pay taxes to the US. Its just one checkbox so people can just say no. And thats it.

[@Schuft242]

Singapore does charge this "membership tax", as a singaporian friend put it.

[@conniebruckner8190]

RQotW : yes, if you go to the less popular side of the island. It is beautiful there. BTW, what happens if one renounces and cannot pay? or...doesn't pay?

[@PassportTwo]

you can't officially renounce without paying 😅 No pay, no play. You just stay an American citizen and thus keeping the tax obligation. 😊

[@rivenoak]

@@PassportTwo IRS may ask gov to cancel your US passport in time. in any case: you should avoid USA like bubonic plague immediately and cut all ties with relatives and friends unless they can travel abroad and meet you there.

[@PavelPavlov-x9m]

I believe Green Card Holders are also taxed by American Government nomatter where they are. Is that True? Also there is an interesting topic of double taxation agreements and totalisation agreements

[@chkoha6462]

Vacation on Mallorca?Sure,been there three times now.take a rental car and explore the Island.The mountains of the Sierra Tramuntana are great. Or choose a Finca as a place to stay,somewhere inland..

[@Opa_Andre]

Mallorca is nice, even for families. Depending on your own preferences you could choose either the eastern part (more beaches), western part (more cliff's / hills) or the northern part of the island. As a family with very little kids I'd just avoid to book my hotel in the south close to Palma. The south / southwest is more the area for the british party / drinking folks and the south / southeast is the German party area (especially the area from Balenario 5 to Balenario 6 (called Ballermann 6) up to the Megapark (big party hall) as well as some other areas closeby like Schinkenstrasse... So while avoiding to book your hotel in that specific area you can have a good time as a family. And by renting a car you could do a trip to those areas as well as within a few hours you can be at any place from any other place on the island.

[@KokkiePiet]

So, do you speak German? /me is also an expat living in Germany, and I do, I think its very important.

[@PassportTwo]

Ja, ich habe C1 erreicht

[@petracastro6021]

If you generate income in Spain you also have to pay taxes in Spain - even if you're a resident of another country. But we can't get double taxed in the EU.

[@COPKALA]

Well also I have to know whether taxation law in my country of citizenship changes. Even if I do not have to file 'now' a tax declaration, I might have to do it next year. I am European but I do not live in my country of origin.

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

Renouncing citizenship is not the answer; lobbying to end the taxation based on citizenship is. There is a lobbying group trying to do exactly that in Washington D.C. You should research this, see where they are at, how far they have to go, what's currently in the way, and make a video on it.

[@gerdforster883]

There are, btw, exceptions to the rule that any child born on US soil becomes a US citizens. For example, children of foreign diplomats born in the US during their parents stay as part of the diplomatic mission are excluded. Which can turn into another issue altogether. Your place of birth is recorded in your passport, and it is illegal to enter the US on a foreign passport if you also have an american one. So lets say Mr. and Mrs Schmidt - after returning to Germany from their stint at the German embassy in Washington - decide to visit their american friends. They take their little Fritz along, who just happens to have been born there during their time in DC. Now little Fritz has a german children's passport, with his place of birth Washington DC in it. Almost noone in US immigration knows of the exemption to ius soli he falls under, and because he never was a US citizen, there is no record of a renunciation of citizen, either. I think you can see what I'm getting at...

[@dedeegal]

geht mein Audio-Setup gerade kaputt... oder hast du da mehrfach im Video die Audio-Settings verändert? Das hörte sich zeitweilig gerade etwas sehr komisch an.... ständig wechselnd... !? Und zu deiner "Malle-Frage"...: klar! Es muss ja nicht "Ballermann" sein. "Alcudia" (im Norden der Insel) ist die Ecke für die "nicht-Koma-Säufer". Also tauglich für Familien mit Kindern. Andererseits war ich nur einmal vor über 20 Jahren da. Aber da war es gut und relativ günstig.

[@HalfEye79]

A cousin of mine was born, while my uncle and his wife were stationed in the US. I a way, he is an accidental American. But now he lives and works in Texas. @Mallorca: I don't know. I never was there.

[@hrs6480]

Suddenly everyone with kids is living in Germany. You may see this as only advantage taking but we call that social scamming just a quick reminder

[@scarfedazelf6795]

I was ob Mallorca with my Family for vacation Last autumn. I do recommend it as Long as you stay Out of Palma de Mallorca and Just book in on the other Side of the Island 😊

[@PascalGienger]

I had a talk with a politician in DC, and she explained me that the money IRS collects from those living abroad would not justify the cost, the hassle, and all the surrounding bureaucracy to process. However, she said to me that this would be impossible to end, as the outcry from both sides of the spectrum would be very hefty. "TAX EVADERS!!!!" would be the spin on both sides...

[@melvinpjotr9883]

US citizens abroad are (to the vast majority) not renouncing because of taxes. If you live in a high tax country (virtually every country in Europe and most developed countries), you (generally) owe no US tax, because you pay more taxes where you live and can credit them against US taxes. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule, when the US deliberately penalizes certain investments, such as ETFs or mutual funds bought from a non-US issuer. But in most cases your US tax will be ZERO!! This will almost certainly be the case, independent of your income, if you live a high tax country such as Germany. The reason why people renounce is not, because the want to avoid US taxes. The true reason is the totally unjust, unjustified and frankly insanely brutal penalty exposure for making inadvertent mistakes in your so called "foreign information reporting". Even if your mistake was inadvertent, and even if no US tax was due, the non-willful penalties are draconic and the willful penalties ruinous (essentially a total confiscation of all your assets). The $10000 non-willful FBAR penalty is just one such penalty, among several. BTW, the penalty (for making a small mistake on your FBAR - or when filing your FBAR 100% correctly but just a day too late) is actually now around ~$15000, due to inflation adjustments. And often you must report the same thing on 2, 3 and sometimes 4 different forms, each "worth" a non-will penalty of $15000. Perversely, the penalties hit the small people the hardest: Assume you have set up a small private pension, contributing $100 per month, in order to supplement your meek state pension. No US tax was due, because you are still in the contribution phase. If you failed to report your pension properly on the four required US information forms (FBAR, 8938, 3520, 3520-A) the IRS has hit the lottery with you, allowing them to assess a whopping $60000 penalty against you - every year. If you paid into your private pension for 30 years, thats 30*$60000 = $1,800,000 penalty for failing to report just one mini "foreign pension", a pension that is not foreign to you and that might be worth 30*$1200 = $36,000. Bottom line, the US finds its totally justified, to assess draconic penalties for not timely filling out a form, that proves (if filled out correctly) that you owed no US tax!

[@beantkaur64]

I think, in Germany we have a law against double tax. Is there no such law in the US?

[@theshadow532]

Just keep your US bank account and work online with a direct deposit in the US bank. Then do a conversion transfer and call it a day

[@LIL-MAN_theOG]

this is easy for me to understand....though youre overseas, you are still an American citizen, who is getting income from YT too, which is an American company. Plus, your kids American citizen thru you, affords them the opportunity for them to get an American passport also ...hence the tax on them. Now if all of you renounce youre citizenship, then you'd prolly be free of all of this.

[@PassportTwo]

Yet, the U.S. is only one of 2 countries in the world that sees it this way and does it this way. 😂

[@mantumatlern3108]

Yes, Mallorca is a beautiful island. Just avoid this one or two spots of coma drinking and you will have nice and idyllic holidays ❤

[@spencerpetersen4092]

Policies like this are exactly why so many countries are abandoning the USD.

[@sig7049]

Easy solution: Ask yourself if you would really wanna move back to the US. And because "no", cut the ties.

[@resterAnonyme]

Not 100% accurate on 2 counts. 1. While most Americans expats will be required to file taxes in the U.S. there is also an income threshold, generally your standard deduction is that threshold(excluding married filing separately, which is $5). Often times students fall within this category. 2. The mere fact (your) children were born to Americans outside of the U.S. does not mean they automatically get U.S. citizenship. They are entitled to it but you or they need to take action to obtain it. Majorca is great for a family.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

What happens if it goes the other way around? I mean, if I were a German citizen working and living in the US half of the year, would that mean that I don't have to pay taxes at all?

[@PassportTwo]

Haha, neither country would allow that. They would look at where you spent the most time and you would pay taxes there. I highly doubt anybody could split a year exactly in half by the second to find a loophole like that 😉

[@hone-i1d]

My German employer once sent some employees for a project lasting two years to the USA. While abroad they had their normal German salary and lots of allowances all taxfree. Their stay would have ended the last of June. As the first 6 months are shorter than half a year the contract was extended into the first week of July in order to avoid paying German taxes for the first half of the year.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

@@PassportTwo The point is the US taxes citizenship-based so as a German working there you don't pay US taxes because you're not a US citizen. And when you spend more than half a year outside of Germany you don't have to pay taxes in Germany, because you don't live there. So if you live and work for more than half a year in the US you don't have to pay taxes for that year.

[@christopherandresen9790]

Mallorca (or malle how we germans call it XD) is a wonderful place for a vacation if you want to party. It is more of a party island (like non stop spring break for you americans) and tend to be more for young adults and late teenagers. A family with late teenagers could have fun there and there are places for little kids and younger teenagers to hang around but for a family with babies/young kids/young teenagers there are better places. Also it is much overprized even for a vacation place.

[@marrykurie48]

You are just talking about the places like Palma de Malloca and so on. But there are a lot of other places on this island that are more than fit for families.

[@j.k8833]

You are incorrect in your talking point about taxation without representation. You can be a registered voter and vote in U.S. federal elections as a U.S. citizen living abroad. I vote for my Congressman every cycle by mail in ballots to Florida while living in South America. For more information contact the State Department and/or the local elections office for wherever you consider home in the U.S.

[@PassportTwo]

Yes, you are correct you can vote in elections from abroad, but that doesn’t mean you have representation. The congressmen you are voting for in Florida represent the needs of Floridians, not you. As an American living abroad, you have an entirely different living circumstance than those living in the states but the representation you are voting for isn’t going to vouch for those needs in the government when their job is to vouch for what needs to be done in Florida. To give an example, if rather than moving from Florida to South America you moved from Florida to Alabama, you would no longer vote for Florida’s representatives, rather you would vote in Alabama elections because as an Alabama resident, your needs no longer align with Florida bc you don’t live there anymore. So why would someone now in South America be any different? On top of that, if someone is an “accidental American” and was born and raised in say Poland, voting in an election for a rep where their parent last lived makes no difference to them because that representative is not going to know how to represent their needs as essentially a Polish citizen who has never been to their state. The point it, yes you can vote for representation, but that representation isn’t actually representing your needs as an American abroad. Taxation without representation.

[@j.k8833]

@@PassportTwo I appreciate your point, but I disagree. Any grievance as an American abroad can be addressed directly to one's representative who will at least listen to you. The issue of whether one's grievance will be given the same weight as a citizen that physically resides in the U.S., is no different to how representatives may prioritize certain voting blocks, demographics, or well connected interests in a district over the grievance of the average voter. That's quite another thing entirely in comparison to an 18th century colonist having to pay taxes levied without any real ability to influence or lobby against the passage of said taxes. You always have in theory the ability to consult with your constitutionally delegated representation. Whether or not a representative knows how to represent the needs of an accidental American is not substantially different to a representative not knowing how to represent the needs of a constituent from a different ethnic group or social class than their own.

[@TheSimmpleTruth]

My son is half German, how long would it take (if anyone has experience in this) for him to get the German passport from the US after applying?

[@kubustumor69420]

Does some American want an nationality excange with me?

[@Merrsharr]

Mallorca is beautiful and can be great for a family, if you stay out of Palma (except maybe a visit to the aquarium)

[@36Berlin]

Did you do some research what resident alien is? - even foreigners who only lived in the US once and didn’t fill out a special form can become subject to the US tax system for life. Another reason to renounce the US citizenship: US government has the right to have a look into all accounts the person has access to, even the professional ones at work. This caused many people to stall with their carrier as they could not get promoted because this way, the company would need to give the US government access to all this internal information

[@eisernherz3929]

getting closer to the new front? not a good idea

[@EricB256]

What happens at the border when an "accidental American" visits the US for the very 1st time? Does a risk of a large tax bill await them there?

[@tomtom2806]

Americans should think carefully about whether, as citizens of a declining eco-socialist state, they want to pay for its growing problems.

[@AlexBermann]

Mallorca is a fine family destination. Jist stay away from Ballermann and you have a beautiful island with pleasant climate.

[@charleswinterfeld5107]

SPOILER: The Finanzamt will tax all your US income at the higher German tax rates when living in Germany. That is why I would not be a citizen. US TAXES ARE MUCH LESS!

[@christianebersold829]

Appointment in September means "Einbürgerungszeremonie für US-Deutsche"

[@tomokig2655]

A trip to Maillorca... it depends. If you just go to the "Ballermann" then I would not recommend this. If you go to the rest of this island then I would recommend it.

[@Pauln71]

The German section of the European election was very disturbing

[@JonesJones-np2kq]

The US dollar is dying, and that’s coming from an American citizen. June 9 will be the last day that Saudi Arabia will conduct business with the petrodollar.

[@12villages]

Duh!! Because most Americans belong to the Germanic/saxon castes 😂 It's like asking why the Irish castes are heading back to their homeland.

[@NaneB-ny2go]

But if you got 2 citizenships you have to habe 2 valid Passports. I know the german is around 60€, and others cost way more. To answer the Mallorca quesrion: na klar! It can br beautiful, if you are not at Ballermann

[@Dodgeuser]

Don't do it. You get ridicoulus problems about taxes. And it is wrong that you don't have to pay taxes if you are outside Germany.

[@twinmama42]

RQOTW: no clue, I've never been there. The US has imho crazy taxation laws. My husband and I considered immigrating to the US and maybe becoming citizens. Looking back, I'm so happy my husband declined the job offer.

[@juliaclaire42]

I would recommend a trip to Menorca.

[@allansnape416]

I’ve just had a thought. How much tax does Boris John owe to the USA? He was born in New York and holds an American passport, just saying 😉

[@allansnape416]

Johnson I meant 🥴

[@PassportTwo]

He actually renounced his American citizenship a number of years ago 😅

[@PowerControl]

Mallorca is an incredibly beautiful island. There is enough to do for people who don’t like to party. So: yes, strong recommendation!