Does Germany Allow Dual Citizenship? Current Rules

Does Germany allow dual citizenship?

The answer just got a whole lot better. After decades of restrictive policies that forced most naturalization applicants to renounce their original nationality, Germany overhauled its citizenship laws in 2024, and the changes are massive for globally-minded professionals.

For digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals eyeing European expansion, this is huge news. Germany now permits dual citizenship for naturalization applicants, eliminating the painful choice between keeping your birth passport and gaining access to one of Europe’s largest economies.

Does Germany allow dual citizenship under the new rules?

Yes, but understanding who qualifies, what the requirements are, and how this impacts your strategic citizenship planning requires digging into the details.

EU citizens have always had this advantage, but now non-EU nationals can finally maintain their original citizenship while becoming German.

The benefits are compelling: visa-free access to 194 destinations, the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, access to Germany’s robust economy and social systems, plus maintaining ties to your home country.

This guide breaks down Germany’s new dual citizenship rules, who benefits most from the changes, naturalization requirements, and whether pursuing German citizenship makes sense for your situation.

Table Of Contents:

• The Big News: Germany’s New Citizenship Law in 2024
  • No More Giving Up Your Old Passport
  • A Faster Path to a German Passport
  • Good News for Children Born in Germany
• Who Exactly Qualifies Under the New Rules?
• Key Requirements You Need to Meet
• What This Means for You Practically
  • If You’re Living in Germany
  • If You’re a German Living Abroad
• The Application Process: A Quick Overview
• Conclusion

The Big News: Germany’s New Citizenship Law in 2024

For years, if you wanted to become a German citizen through naturalization, you usually had to renounce your previous citizenship. It was a heart-wrenching choice for many, forcing them to sever a legal tie to the country where they were born and raised.

But that difficult choice is now a thing of the past for most applicants. Germany now fully accepts and allows dual citizenship, marking a significant change in its national identity and its relationship with its immigrant communities.

Let’s break down exactly what has changed and how you can now hold dual citizenship.

No More Giving Up Your Old Passport

This is the most important takeaway from the new law. You no longer have to give up your original citizenship to become German. This applies to everyone, regardless of where you come from.

This change also applies to German citizens who want to naturalize elsewhere. They no longer need to apply for a special retention permit to keep their German citizenship. This gives German nationals abroad much more flexibility.

A Faster Path to a German Passport

The waiting period to apply for citizenship has also been shortened. The previous residency requirement was to live legally in Germany for eight years. That has now been reduced to just five years of legal residence.

Even better, there’s an accelerated path. If you can show exceptional integration, you can submit your application after only three years.

“Exceptional integration” means you’ve gone above and beyond to become part of German society. This could include demonstrating excellent German language skills at a C1 level, which is near fluency. It could also involve outstanding achievements in your career or studies, or significant volunteer work with a German organization. The goal is to reward those who have deeply invested in their life in Germany.

Good News for Children Born in Germany

The naturalization rules for children born in Germany to a foreign German parent have also improved. Under the new law, a child gets automatic citizenship at birth if at least one parent has been a legal resident in Germany for five years and holds a permanent residence permit. This is down from the previous requirement of eight years.

These children can also keep their parents’ citizenship without any restrictions. They will no longer have to choose between their German nationality and their parents’ nationality when they become adults. This old requirement, known as the “option obligation,” used to apply in many cases but is no longer a concern for citizenship for children.

Who Exactly Qualifies Under the New Rules?

This new law opens doors for a wide range of people with connections to Germany. The reform makes becoming a German citizen much more attainable for many, whether you’re a long-term resident or have German ancestry.

So who is eligible?

• Foreign Nationals in Germany: If you are living and working in Germany, you can now apply for German naturalization after just five years. And you won’t have to give up your original passport, making German dual citizenship a reality.
• Germans Living Abroad: If you are a German citizen living in another country, you can now take on the citizenship of your new home. You no longer have to fear automatically losing your German nationality.
• Descendants of Victims of Nazi Persecution: Germany has long had provisions to restore citizenship to those stripped of it by the Nazi regime and their descendants. This new law simplifies things further and reaffirms the right to hold another citizenship alongside the restored German one, honoring human rights principles.
• The “Guest Worker” Generation: The law specifically acknowledges the contributions of the “guest worker” generation that arrived in Germany decades ago. For them, the language requirement is relaxed; they only need to prove they can communicate verbally in German in daily life, forgoing a written test. This acknowledges their lifelong contributions to the country.

Key Requirements You Need to Meet

While the door to German citizenship is much wider, it’s not entirely wide open. You still have to prove that you are ready to be a part of German life. The core requirements for naturalization are still in place, which ensures that new German citizens are well-integrated and self-sufficient.

The application process involves gathering specific documentation and meeting clear benchmarks. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to demonstrate to the German authorities.

1. Legal Residency: You need to have lived in Germany legally for the required period. This is now five years for most applicants, or three in cases of special integration. Your residency permit history will be reviewed.
2. Language Skills: Proving you can speak the German language is a must. The standard requirement is a B1 level certificate on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This intermediate level means you can handle most day-to-day situations and conversations.
3. Financial Stability: You have to show that you can support yourself and your dependents without relying on social welfare payments. The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) provides clear guidelines on this. Proof of income and employment is also essential.
4. The Integration Test: You will need to pass the citizenship test, widely known as the “Einbürgerungstest.” It consists of 33 multiple-choice questions about German laws, history, and social norms. You must answer at least 17 correctly to pass.
5. Commitment to the German Constitution: You must formally declare your allegiance to Germany’s free democratic constitutional order. The new law is also stricter on this point, explicitly stating that people who have committed antisemitic or racist acts are barred from naturalization.
6. A Clean Criminal Record: You cannot have any serious criminal convictions. Minor infractions are generally not a barrier, but anything significant will disqualify your application for German citizenship. A thorough background check is part of the process.

What This Means for You Practically

So, you’ve heard the technical details, but what does this really mean for your life and your plans?

The impact of these changes is massive, whether you are planning your future inside Germany or have ties to the country from abroad. The new law makes a huge difference on a personal level and opens up new career opportunities.

If You’re Living in Germany

If you’ve built a life in Germany, this new law could be life-changing. You no longer have to feel like you’re just a long-term guest. You can become a full citizen with the right to vote and the freedom of movement throughout the EU.

Most importantly, you don’t have to sever your ties with your home country. This emotional weight of giving up a part of your identity is gone. You can be both German and American, German and Canadian, or German and Brazilian, with all the rights and privileges that come with holding passports from both nations.

The citizenship benefits extend to education and property ownership. For anyone on a planned naturalization track, these changes are incredibly welcome.

If You’re a German Living Abroad

For Germans who have moved away, this law brings incredible peace of mind. You might have been holding off on getting citizenship in your new home because you couldn’t bear the thought of losing your German passport. Now you can acquire citizenship in another country without that worry.

You might have children born abroad and want them to share your German heritage. Now, you have the freedom to fully commit to your new country of residence by becoming a citizen there, all while retaining your rights as a German. This dual status protects your ability to return to Germany or the EU anytime, a security that is more valuable than ever.

You can pursue American citizenship, for example, while remaining a proud German. It simplifies life for countless German nationals living and working overseas. Be sure to check with the local German embassy for consular services related to your new status.

The Application Process: A Quick Overview

So, you’ve confirmed your German citizenship eligibility and are ready to go. What does the process actually look like?

While the law is new and more welcoming, the application process is still thorough, detailed, and requires a lot of paperwork.

First, you’ll want to contact your local naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde). This is usually part of your city or district administration. They can give you the correct application forms and a specific list of the documents you will need to collect, like birth certificates and proof of income.

Once you submit application materials, you wait. Processing times can vary widely depending on where you live and the complexity of your case, so patience is needed.

Conclusion

The final answer to the question “does Germany allow dual citizenship” is now a clear and resounding “yes.”

The new law is more than just a legal change. It shows Germany values its immigrants and wants them to be full members of society without forcing them to cut ties to their past.

This major shift in the citizenship law acknowledges that in our interconnected world, identity is not a zero-sum game. German dual citizenship is now a reality for many who wish to discover Germany on a deeper level. You can add a new chapter to your story without erasing the old ones.