Apply for naturalization and dual citizenship 2024
Dual citizenship - many people dream of it. And with good reason: with dual citizenship, you are a fully-fledged citizen in two countries at the same time, with all the associated rights. Anyone who has not already received it by birth can only obtain dual citizenship through naturalization. A new naturalization law passed by the Bundestag in January 2024 changes the legal situation in several key areas. Here we explain everything you need to know about obtaining dual citizenship through naturalization in 2024.
Dual citizenship - what is it?
Most people are citizens of a particular country. However, in our globalized world, it is becoming increasingly common for people to be citizens of two or more countries at the same time. This is called dual citizenship or multiple citizenship. Such dual citizenship or multiple citizenship can be obtained in Germany in two different ways: Either by birth or by naturalization.
In the following, we briefly explain the requirements for obtaining dual citizenship by birth before explaining in detail how you can benefit from the possibility of dual citizenship through naturalization.
Dual citizenship by birth
Children born in Germany to foreign parents receive German citizenship if one of their parents has been legally resident in Germany for at least five years. This is known as the ius soli principle (= place of birth principle). In many countries, however, the ius sanguinis principle (= principle of descent) applies, according to which a child automatically receives the nationality of its parents. It can happen that these two principles coincide - then a child receives dual citizenship from birth.
Dual citizenship through naturalization
However, dual citizenship through naturalization is much more common than this case. In this case, the naturalization applicant is granted German citizenship and is allowed to keep their previous passport at the same time. However, a whole series of requirements must be met for naturalization: Among other things, you must have been legally resident in Germany for several years (generally at least five years, but a reduction to up to three years is possible), generally have a permanent residence permit such as a settlement permit, be committed to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law, be able to provide for the livelihood of yourself and your family and be able to demonstrate sufficient language skills and knowledge of the legal and social order. You can find detailed information on this and all other requirements on our main page on naturalization.
Under the old legal situation, you also generally had to give up your previous nationality in order to become a German citizen. This was intended to prevent multiple nationalities. But this is now a thing of the past: at the beginning of 2024, the German Bundestag passed a new law on naturalization that makes multiple nationality and thus dual citizenship the new standard for naturalization. Once the law comes into force on 27 June 2024, no one will have to renounce their previous citizenship in order to be naturalized in Germany.
This rule is an enormous relief for many people who have lived in Germany for a long time and would like to be naturalized here without wanting to renounce the nationality of their country of origin. They can now all apply for dual citizenship - provided that the law of their country of origin also permits multiple citizenship. This is not a problem for citizens of Turkey, the USA or Canada. In countries such as China, India, Japan or South Korea, however, there are rules according to which their citizenship automatically expires if you are naturalized in another country. You can find a detailed list of all countries in which there are comparable rules that prevent dual citizenship here.
Advantages and risks of dual citizenship
Dual nationality, whether by birth or naturalization, has many advantages. It allows free entry into both countries at any time without being subject to any restrictions. In addition, people who obtain dual citizenship in Germany benefit from freedom of travel throughout the European Union and the Schengen area, as well as visa-free entry to many countries around the world, which is made possible by the German passport. With dual nationality, you also enjoy all the other rights that other nationals are entitled to, but in two countries at the same time. Unrestricted access to the labor market and to state institutions such as universities, the right to vote, the opportunity to choose your place of residence at will, and protection through state social systems - you enjoy all these benefits not just in one country, but in two. And by becoming a naturalized citizen, you can even ensure that your close family enjoys the same benefits.
In addition to all these advantages, dual citizenship can also have some disadvantages. This is because citizenship not only gives you rights, but also obligations. For example, both countries whose passport you have may require you to pay taxes. There is also the possibility that you or your family members may be required to perform compulsory military service, even if you no longer live in the country in question. However, these aspects can usually be foreseen and avoided, so that overall the advantages of dual citizenship should clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
Advantages also for Germans
However, the possibility of dual citizenship does not only offer advantages for foreigners who wish to apply for naturalization in Germany. Germans who emigrate to other countries and wish to obtain their citizenship, whether through naturalization, marriage or other means, will also benefit from the change in the law. They will no longer have to apply for a retention permit once the new Naturalization Act comes into force on 27 June 2024. This will save them a lot of time, bureaucracy and uncertainty and allow them to benefit from the advantages of dual citizenship without any complications.
Apply for dual citizenship through naturalization
Would you like to apply for dual citizenship yourself? First, we recommend that you take our free naturalization check to make sure that you meet all the requirements for obtaining dual citizenship through naturalization in Germany.
You must then submit an application for naturalization to the naturalization authority responsible for your place of residence, usually the local district office. A fee of 255.00 euros is payable; children who are naturalized together with you pay 51.00 euros.
How our lawyers can help you
You therefore need a large number of documents to apply for German citizenship and thus dual citizenship. The lawyers at RT & Partner who specialize in immigration law will help you keep track of everything. We make sure that your application is complete and take care of all communication with the immigration authorities for you. Meanwhile, you can turn your attention to more important things like planning your new life with two citizenships.
Our experienced lawyers take time for you, recognize and solve possible problems, and advise you competently and individually. In addition, we are familiar with the sometimes differing requirements imposed by the various German naturalization authorities. We have even created separate pages for Munich and Berlin.
Since the new law on naturalization came into force in June 2024, the already quite long processing times of around 12 months have become even longer, as many people want to take advantage of the new dual citizenship option at the same time. Lawyers can help to ensure that your application is processed appropriately quickly and that you obtain your rights. If necessary, it is also possible to file an action for failure to act.
Frequently Asked Questions on naturalization and dual citizenship (FAQ)
Where can I take the naturalization test?
In Germany, you can register for and take the naturalization test at all participating institutions. These institutions differ regionally within Germany. We have sorted all institutions by federal state for you:
Tip:
You can register for the naturalization test throughout Germany, but answer the questions of the federal state in which you live.
Dual citizenship - Which countries are included?
Good news for foreigners who would like to be naturalized in Germany: Since the summer of 2024, Germany has offered the possibility of dual citizenship. Anyone who wants to be naturalized in Germany no longer has to give up their previous citizenship - at least under German law.
However, the law of the country of origin must also allow dual citizenship. This is the case in most countries in the world, but not in all. In some countries, laws apply according to which citizenship is automatically lostif you voluntarily acquire the nationality of another country. People from these countries can acquire German citizenship through naturalization, but they cannot acquire dual citizenship.
To give you an overview, we have compiled the following list of all countries in the world countries. For each country, we have researched which regulations apply to dual citizenship under national law. So you can see at a glance the countries with which dual citizenship is possible in Germany in 2025.
Please note, however, that as lawyers admitted to practice in Germany, we can only advise on German law. German law. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the following information is up-to-date or correct. In addition, many countries have exceptions for certain groups of people (e.g. minors) or for certain situations (e.g. naturalization due to marriage to a German or dual citizenship by birth in Germany). dual citizenship by birth in Germany). Furthermore, dual citizenship is only possible with some countries if certain obligations are met. We therefore advise you to always consult a lawyer in your a lawyer in your country of origin for comprehensive information.
Interactive country table
Search the list for a country.
| Countries | Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan (officially, dual citizenship is not recognized under the Law on Citizenship; in practice, however, it is; only certain offices are incompatible with dual citizenship) | ✅ |
| Albania | ✅ |
| Algeria | ✅ |
| Angola | ✅ |
| Antigua & Barbuda | ✅ |
| Argentina (basically allows double SBS; unlike with other countries, there is no special agreement with Germany; the possibility of double SBS therefore depends entirely on German law) | ✅ |
| Armenia | ✅ |
| Australia | ✅ |
| Bangladesh (application for Dual Nationality Certificate required) | ✅ |
| Barbados | ✅ |
| Belgium (permitted since 2008, citizenship previously lost can be regained by application) | ✅ |
| Belize | ✅ |
| Benin | ✅ |
| Bolivia | ✅ |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | ✅ |
| Brazil | ✅ |
| Bulgaria | ✅ |
| Burkina Faso | ✅ |
| Burundi | ✅ |
| Chad (neither legally recognized nor prohibited) | ✅ |
| Chile | ✅ |
| Costa Rica | ✅ |
| Denmark | ✅ |
| Dominica | ✅ |
| Dominican Republic | ✅ |
| Djibouti | ✅ |
| Ecuador | ✅ |
| El Salvador (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Eswatini (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Fiji | ✅ |
| Finland | ✅ |
| France | ✅ |
| Gabon | ✅ |
| Gambia (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Ghana | ✅ |
| Grenada | ✅ |
| Greece | ✅ |
| Guatemala | ✅ |
| Guinea-Bissau | ✅ |
| Haiti | ✅ |
| Honduras (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Iraq | ✅ |
| Ireland | ✅ |
| Iceland | ✅ |
| Israel | ✅ |
| Italy | ✅ |
| Jamaica | ✅ |
| Yemen | ✅ |
| Jordan | ✅ |
| Cambodia | ✅ |
| Canada | ✅ |
| Cape Verde | ✅ |
| Kenya | ✅ |
| Kyrgyzstan | ✅ |
| Kiribati (only for citizens of I-Kiribati descent) | ✅ |
| Colombia | ✅ |
| Kosovo | ✅ |
| Croatia | ✅ |
| Cuba | ✅ |
| Lesotho | ✅ |
| Latvia | ✅ |
| Lebanon | ✅ |
| Liechtenstein | ✅ |
| Luxembourg | ✅ |
| Malawi (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Maldives | ✅ |
| Mali | ✅ |
| Malta | ✅ |
| Morocco | ✅ |
| Mauritius (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Mexico (only for native-born citizens or children of Mexican parents born in Germany) | ✅ |
| Micronesia | ✅ |
| Moldova | ✅ |
| Mongolia | ✅ |
| Mozambique | ✅ |
| Namibia (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Nauru | ✅ |
| New Zealand | ✅ |
| Nicaragua (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Niger | ✅ |
| Nigeria (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| North Macedonia | ✅ |
| Norway | ✅ |
| East Timor (Timor-Leste) | ✅ |
| Pakistan | ✅ |
| Palestine | ✅ |
| Palau | ✅ |
| Panama (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Papua New Guinea | ✅ |
| Peru | ✅ |
| Philippines (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Poland | ✅ |
| Portugal | ✅ |
| Republic of Congo | ✅ |
| Rwanda | ✅ |
| Romania | ✅ |
| Russia | ✅ |
| Solomon Islands | ✅ |
| Samoa | ✅ |
| São Tomé & Príncipe (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Sweden | ✅ |
| Switzerland | ✅ |
| Senegal (tolerates dual citizenship in practice, but officially only recognizes Senegalese citizenship) | ✅ |
| Serbia | ✅ |
| Seychelles | ✅ |
| Sierra Leone | ✅ |
| Zimbabwe (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Slovenia | ✅ |
| Somalia | ✅ |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | ✅ |
| St. Lucia | ✅ |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | ✅ |
| Sudan | ✅ |
| South Sudan | ✅ |
| Syria | ✅ |
| Taiwan (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Thailand | ✅ |
| Togo (only for native citizens) | ✅ |
| Tonga | ✅ |
| Trinidad & Tobago (only for citizens by birth or descent) | ✅ |
| Czech Republic | ✅ |
| Tunisia | ✅ |
| Turkey | ✅ |
| Tuvalu | ✅ |
| Uganda | ✅ |
| Hungary | ✅ |
| Uruguay | ✅ |
| Vanuatu | ✅ |
| Venezuela | ✅ |
| United States of America (USA) | ✅ |
| United Kingdom (UK) | ✅ |
| Vietnam | ✅ |
| Cyprus | ✅ |
| Egypt (dual citizenship is only permitted with the permission of the Ministry of the Interior; in practice, however, the lack of permission often has no consequences) | ❌ |
| Andorra | ❌ |
| Equatorial Guinea | ❌ |
| Azerbaijan | ❌ |
| Ethiopia | ❌ |
| Bahamas | ❌ |
| Bahrain | ❌ |
| Bhutan | ❌ |
| Botswana | ❌ |
| Brunei | ❌ |
| China | ❌ |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD) | ❌ |
| Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) | ❌ |
| Eritrea | ❌ |
| Estonia (not legally permitted, but native Estonians are not deprived of their citizenship in practice) | ❌ |
| Georgia (unless Georgian citizenship has been granted by presidential decree) | ❌ |
| Guinea | ❌ |
| Guyana | ❌ |
| India | ❌ |
| Indonesia | ❌ |
| Iran (does not recognize dual citizenship, but does not automatically forfeit Iranian citizenship) | ❌ |
| Japan | ❌ |
| Cameroon | ❌ |
| Kazakhstan | ❌ |
| Qatar | ❌ |
| Comoros (loss of native citizenship prohibited by the constitution; however, loss of citizenship in case of voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship simply regulated by law) | ✅ |
| Kuwait | ❌ |
| Laos | ❌ |
| Liberia | ✅ |
| Libya | ❌ |
| Lithuania | ❌ |
| Madagascar | ❌ |
| Malaysia | ❌ |
| Marshall Islands (only with the permission of the Cabinet) | ❌ |
| Mauritania | ❌ |
| Monaco | ❌ |
| Montenegro | ❌ |
| Myanmar | ❌ |
| Nepal | ❌ |
| Netherlands | ❌ |
| North Korea | ❌ |
| Oman (except with permission by royal decree of the Sultan) | ❌ |
| Austria | ❌ |
| Zambia | ✅ |
| San Marino | ❌ |
| Saudi Arabia (except with the permission of the Prime Minister) | ❌ |
| Singapore | ❌ |
| Slovakia | ❌ |
| Spain | ❌ |
| Sri Lanka (application for retention required) | ❌ |
| South Africa (except with a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs) | ❌ |
| South Korea (Republic of Korea) | ❌ |
| Suriname | ❌ |
| Tajikistan | ❌ |
| Tanzania | ❌ |
| Turkmenistan | ✅ |
| Ukraine (Ukrainian citizenship can be revoked ex officio upon naturalization in Germany, but this rarely happens in practice) | ❌ |
| Uzbekistan | ❌ |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | ❌ |
| Central African Republic | ❌ |
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my naturalization application?
Even now, it usually takes up to 12 monthsuntil a decision is made on an application for naturalization. When the new law comes into force on 26 June 2024, the number of naturalization applications is expected to increase significantly will increase significantly. This will probably also increase the processing times 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 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 and South Korea, citizenship is automatically lost if you naturalize in another country.
A detailed list of 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.
Where do I have to apply for naturalization?
Where you have to apply for naturalization depends on where you live. If you are in Germany, you must apply to the naturalization authority responsible for your place of residence. You can find out which authority this is from the foreigners authority in your town or municipality or from the district or city administration. Naturalization applications from abroad, which are processed by the Federal Office of Administration, must be submitted to the responsible German mission abroad, i.e. the German embassy or a (general) consulate.
How well do I have to speak German to be naturalized?
In principle, language skills at level B1 or higher are required for naturalization. If you can prove a higher language level, you may be able to naturalize earlier. Theoretically, naturalization is also possible with a lower language level than B1. However, this still requires a certain knowledge of the language, as your integration into the German way of life must be guaranteed. In addition, there must be a public interest in you receiving German citizenship.
Do I have to give up my old citizenship in order to naturalize in Germany?
Since the new Naturalization Act came into force on 27 June 2024, those wishing to naturalize no longer have to give up their old citizenship. According to the new legal situation, anyone can obtain dual citizenship - provided the country of origin also allows it. You can find a list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship here.
Is naturalization possible after three years?
The general period of residence that must be fulfilled for naturalization is five years. It can be shortened by up to two additional years in the case of special integration achievements, for example in work, school or voluntary work. At best, naturalization is therefore possible after just three years of residence.
Is naturalization possible despite a criminal record?
In principle, you must not have a criminal record if you want to be naturalized. However, not all previous convictions are really relevant. For example, convictions or penalty orders of no more than 90 daily rates as well as convictions for prison sentences of up to three months that were suspended and not enforced are not taken into consideration. The same applies to previous convictions that are no longer listed in the Federal Central Criminal Register. You can find out more about exemption from punishment for naturalization here.
How does the naturalization test work?
The naturalization test consists of 33 multiple choice questions, of which you must answer at least 17 correctly in order to pass. It takes one hour to complete and costs 25 euros. To prepare, you can simulate the test online or view the entire catalog of all possible questions. Where exactly you can register for the test and take it varies from region to region. We have created a corresponding overview for each federal state:
In principle, you are not obliged to take the naturalization test in your home federal state. Instead, you can take the test at any test center in Germany. However, some of the questions always relate to your home federal state, even if you take the naturalization test in another federal state.
What are the advantages of German citizenship?
Freedom of movement in Europe, the possibility of visa-free entry into many other countries with one of the "strongest" passports in the world and protection by the institutions of the German state, even when traveling abroad, are just some of the many advantages of German citizenship. In addition, German citizens enjoy unrestricted access to the labor market of all EU countries, including the possibility of becoming a civil servant, as well as a lifelong right of residence in Germany and the EU, which does not expire even during longer stays abroad.
How long does it take to process a naturalization application?
The authorities often take a very long time to process a naturalization application due to the many documents involved. Processing times of several months to well over a year are the rule. Since the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law came into force on 27 June 2024, it can be assumed that waiting times will be considerably longer again because many new applications will be submitted. To help you obtain your rights more quickly, it may be advisable to file an action for failure to act. Our experienced lawyers will be happy to advise you on this. Just ask us.
How much does naturalization cost?
A fee of 255.00 euros is payable for a naturalization certificate for adults. The fee for a rejection notice is between 25.00 and 255.00 euros. A naturalization certificate for a minor child (i.e. up to the age of 18) who is naturalized together with someone else (co-naturalization) only incurs a fee of 51.00 euros.
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.