But the case is different for Turks or other individuals from outside the European Union. According to the German citizenship law of 2000, they have to choose their nationality by the age of 23 or they will lose their German passports. Analysts say this is doing nothing to help the integration of the country’s seven million foreigners.

Being forced into this choice particularly affects the three-million strong Turkish community because it is the largest group of foreigners living in Germany. Facing an acute labor shortage during West Germany’s economic boom that began in the mid-1950s, Turks, among others nationalities, were invited to make up the shortfall.

They were, however, regarded as “Gastarbeiter” or guest workers who would eventually return home.

Most Turks opted to stay. And today, it’s the third generation of Turkish immigrants who are being forced to choose their identity.

Mr. Uslucan and other experts believe such a policy is hindering integration. At a time when Germany again faces a serious shortage of skilled labor, they say the government needs to adopt a much more welcoming attitude toward migrants. Under the present system, most children of foreign parents, who were born in Germany on or after Jan. 1, 2000, automatically receive German citizenship. Children can hold both the German citizenship and the citizenship of their parents.

But when this law was passed in 1999, Germany’s conservatives pushed through one major proviso: As soon as those double-nationality children grow up, they must make a choice: keeping either their German citizenship or the citizenship of their parents.