Dual citizenship & naturalization
Important changes from the end of June 2024
When it comes to naturalization figures, Germany has long been below the European average. More than twelve million people live in Germany without German citizenship - almost half of them have been here for more than ten years. The reasons why these people do not apply for naturalization are multi-layered and complex. However, the fact that Germany has generally opposed the possibility of dual citizenship up to now certainly plays a role.
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Julia Robl
The German government has now also recognized that there is a need for action and has presented a draft bill, which was passed by the Bundestag on 19 January 2024. The bill also passed the Bundesrat on February 2, 2024. Three months after its promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette, the new law with the adopted amendments came into force on June 27, 2024. In the table below, we explain in detail how the legal situation has changed as a result of the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law.
Amendment 1: Admission of dual citizenship
Old legal situation:
German nationality law has always taken the view that multiple nationalities should be prevented. For example, it was previously a prerequisite for naturalization that the person wishing to naturalize had to give up their original nationality in exchange for receiving a German passport.
However, there have already been some exceptions, such as for citizens of other EU countries or Switzerland, as well as for people from countries that do not allow them to renounce their citizenship. As a result of these exceptions, around 70 percent of all naturalization applicants are already allowed to keep their original passport.
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
Nevertheless, the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law completely abolishes the requirement to renounce one's previous citizenship in order to naturalize. The path to dual citizenship is now open to anyone wishing to naturalize.
However, it is important to note that, in addition to the legal situation in Germany, the nationality law of the home country must always be observed. If, for example, the latter stipulates that acquiring citizenship of another country automatically extinguishes one's own citizenship, it is not possible to obtain two citizenships under the new legal situation in Germany. In particular, the citizenship of the following countries is lost by law upon naturalization in Germany:
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- 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 (does not apply to native Namibian citizens)
- 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
Nevertheless, allowing multiple citizenship will enable many people, for example from Turkey, the USA, Canada, Nigeria (only for native-born citizens) or the United Kingdom, to have dual citizenship in the future.
In addition, the new law simplifies the naturalization procedure: the naturalization applicant no longer has to go through a lengthy procedure to be released from their current citizenship.
Amendment 2: Naturalization possible earlier
Old legal situation:
Under the old legal situation, in order to be eligible for naturalization, you had to have been legally resident in Germany for an uninterrupted period of eight years.
However, there was an exception for naturalization applicants who have successfully completed an integration course. For them, the required period of residence was reduced from eight to seven years. If, in addition, special integration achievements in the form of particularly good school, vocational or professional qualifications, German language skills at level B2 or voluntary work could be proven, the minimum period of residence was even reduced to six years.
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
The new legal situation also provides for a certain minimum period of residence. However, this will be reduced by a whole three years and will only be five years in future.
The possibility of shortening this period by up to a further two years through certain special achievements remains. However, the details of the regulations on these reductions are changing. The new Modernization Act no longer stipulates that successful participation in an integration course automatically shortens the duration of residence by one year. Instead, in future it can be shortened in one step by up to two years to just three years if there are special integration achievements, for example in work, school or voluntary work, and if language skills at C1 level can be proven.
Amendment 3: Nationality by birth
Old legal situation:
Until now, children born in Germany to foreign parents have also been able to acquire German citizenship through the so-called ius soli principle (= place of birth principle). The prerequisite for this was that at least one of their parents had been living legally in Germany for eight years and had a permanent residence permit, such as a settlement permit.
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
The Citizenship Modernization Act not only retains this option, but actually makes the requirements easier. For example, the minimum period of residence of one of the parents has been reduced from eight to five years.
Amendment 4: Securing livelihoods
Old legal situation:
Anyone wishing to be naturalized in Germany must be able to support themselves and their family members (if any).
Under the old legal situation, however, receiving state aid did not prevent a claim to naturalization if the person seeking naturalization was not responsible for it. In other words, anyone who found themselves in a situation in which they were dependent on state aid through no fault of their own could still be naturalized as normal
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
Even under the new legal situation, it must be possible to earn a living independently and without state aid.
However, the exemption for people who were dependent on such benefits through no fault of their own has been removed by the new law. In its place, there are now a number of exceptions in which the requirement of a secure livelihood is waived altogether. Among other things, these apply to naturalization applicants who have been in full-time employment for at least 20 months in the last two years. Anyone bringing up a child with a spouse who can provide evidence of the same 20 months of employment also does not need to provide evidence of a secure livelihood. And last but not least, people who came to Germany as guest workers and their spouses can also apply for naturalization despite receiving social benefits, provided that they are not responsible for receiving these benefits themselves.
In future, people who wish to be naturalized despite not having sufficient means of subsistence will have to apply for discretionary naturalization in accordance with Section 8 StAG. However, the old legal situation will continue to apply to applications submitted by 23 August 2023, provided this is more favorable for the applicants.
Amendment 5: Commitment to the free democratic basic order
Old legal situation:
In the past, anyone wishing to be naturalized in Germany had to declare their commitment to the free and democratic basic order of the Basic Law and declare that they do not pursue any unconstitutional aspirations.
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
In addition to these declarations of faith, the new legal situation means that in future there will be a further requirement: only those who "acknowledge Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime and its consequences, in particular for the protection of Jewish life, as well as the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging a war of aggression" will be naturalized.
Amendment 6: Further obstacles
Old legal situation:
According to the old legal situation, § 11 StAG ruled out naturalization if there was a serious interest in deportation or if there were factual indications that the naturalization applicant behaves or has behaved in any way contrary to their commitment to the free democratic basic order .
New legal situation (since June 27, 2024):
The new law tightens the possibilities for the state to deny naturalization according to § 11 StAG. In future, naturalization will be ruled out if there are factual indications that a person's commitment to the free democratic basic order, Nazi injustice and peace between peoples is false.
Likewise, naturalization is no longer possible for people who live in polygamous marriages or whose behaviour shows that they disregard the equal rights of men and women.
Outlook
As mentioned above, the law came into force three months after its promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette, i.e. on June 27, 2024. The law now offers the opportunity for dual citizenship through the general admission of multiple nationalities.
Together with the reduction of the prescribed minimum residence period by three years, this will certainly lead to a particularly high number of applications for naturalization being received by the authorities. This in turn will only increase the already long waiting times. It may therefore be advisable to hire lawyers to ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible.
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 be naturalized if I receive social assistance?
Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship must be able to prove that they can support themselves and their dependents. to support themselves and their can support themselves. They must not be receiving benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB II or SGB XII). be received. These include, for example, unemployment benefit II, basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity and social assistance.
However, according to the new law , there are exceptionsIf you have been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months within the last 24 months, receiving state benefits is not harmful. The same applies if your spouse or registered partnerwho lives with you and a child has been in full-time employment for 20 months within the last 24 months. And also for former guest workers and contract workers and their spouses who have joined them are also exempt from receiving state benefits such as social assistance if they are not responsible for this.
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.
