Dual citizenship and faster naturalization
New law comes into force on June 27, 2024
It has been long awaited, but now it is finally certain: the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law (StARModG) will come into force on 27 June 2024 . After the Bundestag and Bundesrat passed the law, it was signed by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on March 27, 2024. It will come into force three months after this promulgation - i.e. on June 27, 2024. We explain what exactly will change as a result of the law and what you need to bear in mind if you want to naturalize under the new legal situation.
Your contact
Shahroch Taleqani
Dual citizenship for all is coming
Probably the most important change first: when the new Citizenship Act comes into force on 27 June 2024, multiple citizenship will become the new standard for naturalizations. Until now, you had to give up your old citizenship if you wanted to be naturalized in Germany. The background to this was that the legislator wanted to avoid multiple nationalities and potential conflicts of interest. The new law removes the requirement to give up your current citizenship. Anyone who wishes to be naturalized from 27 June can then keep their current passport and obtain dual citizenship or multiple citizenship.
The only requirement for dual citizenship is that the nationality law of the country of origin also provides for the possibility of multiple citizenship. This is the case in many countries, such as Turkey, the USA, Canada, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. However, some other countries, such as India, China, South Korea or Uganda, stipulate that citizens who are granted citizenship of another country automatically lose their nationality. You can find out which other countries have similar rules here.
No more retention permit
Enabling multiple citizenship under German law also has advantages for German emigrants. From June 27, 2024 , they will no longer have to choose between giving up their German citizenship or applying to keep their German passport in a lengthy procedure if they wish to be naturalized abroad.
Naturalization becomes possible earlier
The second major change to the new Citizenship Act concerns the question of how long you have to have lived in Germany to be eligible for naturalization. Until now, this so-called minimum period of residence has been eight years. On June 27, 2024, when the new law comes into force, it will be reduced to just five years. In addition, it will still be possible to reduce this minimum period of residence by up to a further two years if you can prove special integration achievements and German language skills at C1 level. This means that naturalization is possible at best after just three years of residence in Germany.
Other important changes
But that's not all - the new law on citizenship brings even more innovations. It also makes it easier for children born in Germany to foreign parents to acquire German citizenship. Previously, these children could only acquire German citizenship automatically by birth if one of their parents had lived in Germany for at least eight years. This minimum period will also be reduced from eight to five years in June.
In some places, however, the new law also makes the requirements for naturalization stricter. From the end of June 2024, it will no longer be possible to rely on the fact that you had to receive social benefits through no fault of your own - for example due to illness or inability to work - when determining whether your livelihood is secured. Even those who are not responsible for receiving benefits can then only hope for discretionary naturalization in accordance with Section 8 StAG. However, once the new law comes into force, there will be an automatic presumption that people who have been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last two years have a secure livelihood. You can read more about the changes to the determination of a secure livelihood here.
Also new: In addition to the commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law, applicants for naturalization must in future also acknowledge Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime. In addition, people who live in so-called polygamous marriages, i.e. are married to more than one other person, or who express disregard for the equality of men and women through their behavior, will no longer be able to apply for naturalization from 27 June 2024.
We have compiled a detailed overview of all upcoming changes to citizenship law as well as further information on dual citizenship and naturalization after just five years for you here.
Dual citizenship - What you need to consider
So a lot is changing in citizenship law - and many things are becoming easier for people who would like to be naturalized in Germany. If you are thinking about becoming a German citizen, we recommend our naturalization check. You can use it to check whether you meet the requirements under the new legal situation.
If you have already submitted your application for naturalization, you may also be able to benefit from dual citizenship. However, it is important to note that the new law will not come into force until June 27, 2024. Before this date, Germany's fundamental stance against dual citizenship will remain unchanged. Our lawyers will be happy to assist you and advise you on how to proceed.
In summary, it can be said that the general possibility of multiple citizenship and the reduction of the residence period from eight to five years make naturalization in Germany much more attractive. It is therefore expected that many people will apply for naturalization in the coming months. As a result, the already regularly very long processing times of the authorities will in all likelihood be significantly longer. We therefore recommend that you seek legal assistance. We will check whether you meet all naturalization requirements, ensure that your application is complete and thus give you the best possible chance of success. We will also take care of all communication with the authorities for you quickly and efficiently.
Questions and answers - FAQ on dual citizenship:
With which nationality is dual nationality not possible in Germany?
However, if you wish to obtain dual citizenship, this must also be in accordance with the nationality law of your country of origin be possible. Some countries stipulate that your citizenship is automatically lost if you are naturalized in another country.
These countries are:
- Ethiopia
- Belize
- Bhutan
- China
- Ivory Coast (Cote d' Ivoire)
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Honduras, if Honduran citizenship was acquired through naturalization
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Cameroon
- Kazakhstan
- Comoros, if the person concerned has reached the age of 21.
- Congo, Democratic Republic (COD)
- Cuba
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Mauritania
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Papua New Guinea, if the person concerned has reached the age of 18
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Zimbabwe, if the person concerned has reached the age of 21 (is of legal age)
- Sri Lanka
- South Africa, if the person concerned has reached the age of 18
- South Korea (Republic of Korea)
- Suriname
- Tanzania, if the person concerned has reached the age of 18
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my naturalization application?
It usually takes up to 12 months for a decision to be made on an application for naturalization. The new Naturalization Act has also been in force since 27 June 2024. It is therefore to be expected that the number of naturalization applications will increase significantly. As a result, processing times are also likely to increase by several months. If the authorities do not make a decision on your application for too long, it may be advisable to file an action for failure to act. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on this.
Do you still have to take a naturalization test under the new Citizenship Act?
YesThe new law does not change the rules for the naturalization test. However, as before, you do not have to take the test if you are at least a German school-leaving qualification (qualificationRealschule, Abitur etc.)a completed vocational training with a grade in the subject of social studies or a degree in the fields of law and social sciences, social sciences or politics naor politics.
Can I get my foreign citizenship back if I have already given it up due to naturalization in Germany?
Whether you can get back your old citizenship, which you gave up for naturalization, depends on on the Rright of your originstaates from. According to German law, from June 27, 2024, when the the new Citizenship Act comes into force, there will be nothing to stop it.
Can I keep my citizenship if I have already submitted an application or have already been granted naturalization?
The modernized Citizenship Act (StAG) came into force on 27 June 2024. Since this date, the new legal situation has applied, according to which renunciation of current citizenship is no longer required for naturalization in Germany. In principle, the new legal situation applies to you if you are issued a naturalization certificate after 27 June 2024.
Before the naturalization certificate is issued, you will first receive an assurance of naturalization, which is usually valid for 2 years. Before 27 June, when the assurance of naturalization was issued, you were asked to submit proof that you had renounced your current citizenship so that the naturalization certificate could then be issued. You had time to do this as long as the assurance of naturalization was valid.
If you have received an assurance of naturalization before 27 June 2024, you should ask for a date to be set after this date to receive your naturalization certificate without renouncing your current citizenship. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on this.
Can I apply for naturalization now if I want the provisions of the new law (dual citizenship, shorter period of residence, etc.) to apply to me?
The new law on citizenship comes into force on 27 June 2024, but the processing time for an application for naturalization is usually around 12 months. The decisive factor for your application is the legal situation at the time when the authorities make a decision. It is very likely that this will not be until after June 27. This means that you can, in principle, submit an application for naturalization now, which will then be decided according to the new legal situation. If a decision is made on your application before June 27, 2024, you will first be asked to provide proof that you have been released from your existing citizenship. If you do not do this by June 27, you will be able to benefit from the new law after this date and retain your citizenship.
However, this varies from authority to authority and also depends on how long you have been in Germany. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on your personal situation.
I have already applied for naturalization. Can I still get dual citizenship?
The question of dual citizenship depends on the legal situation at the time you receive your naturalization certificate. If you meet all the requirements, you will initially only receive an assurance of naturalization from the authorities, in which you will be asked to renounce your previous citizenship.
This assurance of naturalization is usually valid for two years. As the new law comes into force on June 27, 2024, you can then be naturalized without having to give up your previous citizenship.
When and for whom is dual citizenship permitted under the new law?
According to the new Citizenship Act, since June 27, 2024, anyone who wants to be naturalized in Germany can now retain their previous citizenship under German law.
However, the country of origin must also allow dual citizenship. In some countries, such as Austria, China, India, Uganda and South Korea, citizenship is automatically lost if you naturalize in another country.
A detailed list of all countries with which dual citizenship is not possible can be found here.
Tip: Before starting the naturalization process, always check whether the previous citizenship may be retained under foreign law. You can inquire about this at foreign missions, for example. German lawyers are generally unable to provide information on foreign legal issues.
What will be the minimum period of residence for naturalization in the future?
Since the new law on citizenship came into force on June 27, 2024, the minimum period of residence in Germany is now only five years. It can be shortened to up to three years in cases of particularly good integration.
When does a child of parents with foreign citizenship automatically receive German citizenship at birth?
Since June 27, 2024, when the new Citizenship Act came into force, children born in Germany to foreign parents automatically receive German citizenship if one parent has been living legally in Germany for more than five years and has an unlimited right of residence. For children born before June 27, 2024, this period is still eight years according to the old legal situation.
As a German citizen, do I still have to apply for a retention permit if I want to take on a foreign nationality?
According to the legal situation before June 27, 2024, you generally lost your German citizenship if you naturalized in another country. This could only be prevented by obtaining a retention permit. Since the new Citizenship Act came into force on June 27, 2024, this is no longer the case. Germany now generally allows multiple nationalities. You can find more information on this on the website of the Federal Office of Administration.
When will the new Naturalization Act come into force?
The new Naturalization Act (Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law) comes into force on June 27, 2024 in force, three months after its promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette. From then on dual citizenship in principle under German law possible for all, and will in particular the minimum period of residence to five years to five years. You can read more about the details of the new law here.
Can I check if I meet all the requirements for naturalization?
If you want to check whether your naturalization application would be successful, you can do our naturalization check. However, this check only gives you a first overview. If you still have detailed questions or are unsure, then it is best to contact our lawyers.
From when is dual citizenship possible?
The Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law was passed by the Bundestag at the end of January 2024 and has also passed the Bundesrat. It came into force on June 27, 2024, three months after it was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette. Since this date, everyone has had the option of dual citizenship under German law.
In the course of naturalization in Germany, the old citizenship was given up. Is it now possible to get it back in addition to the German citizenship?
Is it possible to have more than two citizenships?
Strictly speaking, the forthcoming law on citizenship will not allow dual citizenship, but will lift the general ban on multiple citizenship. If this ban is lifted, it will also be possible under German law to have more than two nationalities. Multiple citizenship will then be possible without further ado.
What are the requirements to become a naturalized citizen?
We have explained this in detail in our article on naturalization.
Alternatively, you can complete our Naturalization Check.
Is naturalization possible without giving up the previous citizenship in any case?
Yes, at least as far as German citizenship law is concerned. In principle, dual citizenship has been open to all foreigners, regardless of their country of origin, since June 27, 2024. However, there may be laws in the country of origin that stipulate the loss of citizenship in the event that a citizen is granted citizenship of another country. Such laws exist in countries such as China, Austria, Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands. In any case, we advise you to obtain information in the country of your previous citizenship.