Originally Posted by
roundtheworld
Two passports are no longer uncommon. Usually you have to proof your need. The UK are very happy to issue two, Germany is warming up to the idea, but if oyu live in Germany it will be more difficult, than living abroad .. Embassies usually understand those needs better.
I don't think it's just a case of embassies understanding those needs better.
If you're a German living in Germany you normally have two official ID documents - your national ID card (Personalausweis), and your passport. The ID can be used for travel within the EU.
If you're a German living abroad you normally only have one official ID document - your passport. This means that you're a lot more dependent on it, and if you have to send it off (e.g., to get a visa) you are trapped in your country of residence and if there is a family emergency back home you're stuck.
I have met Germans with two passports, so I know it's possible - but they were all living outside Germany. For UK nationals, as a previous poster said, having a spare passport is fairly normal (my partner has always had two)