At a Glance
- Update – June 27, 2024: Following further clarification from authorities, this law went into effect on June 27, 2024.
- On March 26, 2024, the legislative process for the citizenship law was completed and the law will enter into force on June 26, 2024.
- Among other changes, the law will:
- reduce the minimum period of German residence necessary for naturalization to five years (and even three years in exceptional circumstances), down from eight years.
- allow German citizens to hold multiple citizenships whereas currently, dual citizenship is possible only in rare circumstances.
- This law is expected to increase uptake of German citizenship, especially as many potential citizenship applicants are citizens of other countries and therefore currently barred from naturalizing without giving up their current citizenship. It is also likely to make Germany a more attractive labour market for foreign talent, as access to a German passport will be easier.
The situation
On March 26, 2024, the legislative process for the citizenship law was completed following the signature of the president and publication in the Federal Law Gazette. The law will enter into force on June 26, 2024. Update – June 27, 2024: Following further clarification from authorities, this law went into effect on June 27, 2024.
A closer look
As noted previously, the new law makes the following changes (among others) to German citizenship law:
- Shorter naturalization periods. Generally, the minimum period of German residence necessary for naturalization will be reduced to five years (down from the current eight years). Additionally, in the special cases of an 'exceptionally well-integrated' individual, the minimum period will be reduced to three years.
- Multiple citizenships. German citizens will be able to hold multiple citizenships as a matter of course. Currently, except in rare circumstances, German citizens cannot hold multiple citizenships.
- Relaxed naturalization for children. Foreign national children born in Germany will be granted German citizenship by birth if at least one of their parents has habitually resided in Germany for at least five years and holds permanent residency. Currently, this is only possible if the habitually-resident parent had resided in Germany for eight years.
Impact
This law is expected to increase uptake of German citizenship, especially as many potential citizenship applicants are citizens of other countries and therefore currently barred from naturalizing without giving up their current citizenship. It is also likely to make Germany a more attractive labour market for foreign talent, as access to the powerful German passport will be easier.
Background
These reforms seek to increase the uptake of citizenship in Germany – which is currently below the EU average.
Looking ahead
Due to shorter naturalization periods as well as the end of the ban of dual citizenship, a significant increase of applications is expected which will slow down government processing times for naturalizations.
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