The new German citizenship law

On 27 June 2024, the Act on the Modernisation of Citizenship Law will come into force in Germany. This law will essentially make it easier to naturalise as a German citizen and allow multiple citizenship.

Previously, you had to have lived in Germany for at least eight years to be able to apply for naturalisation; under the new citizenship law, five years will be sufficient, and naturalisation will even be possible after three years in the case of special integration achievements. Furthermore, when naturalising as a German citizen, you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship. The same applies to German nationals who wish to acquire a second citizenship; they are also permitted multiple citizenship and no longer need a retention permit.

From now on, children born in Germany to foreign parents can automatically acquire German citizenship and also retain their parents' citizenship if at least one parent has lived in Germany for more than five years and has a permanent right of residence. The option regulation no longer applies, i.e. children no longer have to decide between the German and foreign citizenship of their parents after reaching the age of 21.

Furthermore, proof of oral language skills is required for naturalisation, and a naturalisation test is no longer required.

However, the new law does not apply retroactively, meaning that children of foreign parents born in Germany before 27 June 2024, for example, will not automatically receive German citizenship. Furthermore, there are no changes or simplifications for foreigners who previously lived in Germany but have returned to their country of origin or moved to another country.

Autor: Senem Kathrin Güçlüer