Quick Answer — Yes, Germany Now Allows Dual Citizenship (Effective 27 June 2024)
Germany broadly permits multiple citizenship from 27 June 2024, when the Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts (StARModG, BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 43) entered into force. The new §12 StAG makes multiple citizenship the general rule upon naturalisation — no renunciation of your original nationality is required for any applicant of any nationality. The prior requirement to surrender your home-country passport before receiving a German Einbürgerungsurkunde has been abolished. The Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (retention permit) is no longer needed for prospective naturalisations. EU/EEA citizens were already exempt under the old law — the reform brings non-EU applicants onto the same footing.
Effective 27 June 2024: no Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (retention permit) is required for any naturalisation applicant. The Einbürgerungsbehörde can no longer condition your German citizenship on proof of foreign passport surrender. This applies to all nationalities — US, UK, Indian, Turkish, Pakistani, Chinese, and all others. Pending applications submitted before 27 June 2024 also benefit from the new rules.
What the 2024 Reform Actually Changed — §12 StAG Before vs After
Before 27 June 2024, §12 StAG contained a narrow list of exceptions to the default renunciation requirement: EU/EEA citizens, recognised refugees, stateless persons, and cases of unreasonable hardship (e.g. where the home country refused to release the applicant from citizenship). Everyone else had to renounce. The old §25 StAG also provided for automatic loss of German citizenship upon voluntary foreign naturalisation. Both provisions have been fundamentally reversed. Under the new §12 StAG, multiple citizenship is the default and no statutory exception is needed. The old §25 StAG auto-loss rule has been repealed prospectively — Germans naturalising abroad after 27 June 2024 no longer lose their German citizenship automatically.
| Aspect | Before 27 June 2024 | After 27 June 2024 (StARModG) |
|---|---|---|
| Renunciation upon naturalising in Germany | Required for most non-EU applicants (§12 StAG old) | No longer required — multiple citizenship is default (§12 StAG new) |
| EU/EEA applicants | Exempt from renunciation (old §12 narrow exception) | Same — already exempt; no change |
| German naturalising abroad (§25 StAG old) | Automatic loss of German citizenship | Automatic loss rule repealed prospectively |
| Beibehaltungsgenehmigung | Required to retain German citizenship when naturalising abroad | No longer required for future naturalisations |
| Pending applications (before 27 June 2024) | Renunciation typically required | Benefit from new rules if decision not yet issued |
US-Germany Dual Citizenship — The Complete Picture
For US citizens naturalising in Germany, two legal systems must be considered simultaneously. On the German side, the new §12 StAG removes all restrictions — a US citizen naturalising as German no longer needs to surrender their US passport. On the US side, INA §349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that US citizenship is only lost through a voluntary act performed with the specific intent to relinquish US nationality. The US Supreme Court confirmed in Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) that involuntary loss of US citizenship is unconstitutional. Naturalising in Germany to live and work there does not constitute intent to relinquish US citizenship. Both the US State Department and the German foreign ministry confirm the lawful dual holding.
- German law side: §12 StAG (new) — no renunciation required; multiple citizenship is default
- US law side: INA §349 — voluntary act + intent to relinquish required for citizenship loss; naturalising in Germany does not trigger this
- Afroyim v. Rusk (1967): US Supreme Court — involuntary citizenship loss is unconstitutional
- US tax obligations: US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residence; FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) obligations persist for US-German dual nationals
- US-Germany Double Taxation Agreement (1989): mitigates double taxation but does not eliminate US filing obligations
- Moreno proposal (December 2025): legislative noise; Germany is not on any US adversary state list; proposal had no legal effect; US-German dual citizenship is settled law
Four Routes to German Citizenship — Dual Citizenship Available for All
Since 27 June 2024, dual citizenship is available regardless of which route you use to obtain German citizenship. Whether you naturalise under the standard 5-year track, the 3-year fast-track, by descent, or by marriage, you may retain your existing nationality. The routes differ significantly in requirements, timelines, and prerequisites.
| Route | Legal basis | Residence required | Language | Dual citizenship | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard naturalisation | §10 StAG | 5 years lawful habitual residence | B1 CEFR minimum | Yes — since 27 June 2024 | 12–24 months from application |
| 3-year fast-track | §10(3) StAG | 3 years + exceptional integration | C1 CEFR recommended / B1 minimum | Yes | 12–18 months from application |
| By descent | §4 StAG (ius sanguinis) | No residence required | No language test | Yes — never required renunciation | 6–18 months (descent); 12–24 months (§15 restoration) |
| By marriage | §9 StAG | 3 years lawful residence + 2 years married to German citizen | B1 CEFR | Yes — since 27 June 2024 | 12–18 months from application |
Countries That Still Restrict Dual Citizenship on Their Own Side
Germany's 2024 reform removes Germany's restriction on multiple citizenship — but it cannot override the domestic nationality laws of other countries. If your home country does not permit dual citizenship, Germany's new permissiveness does not resolve the conflict: your home country may automatically strip you of its citizenship when you naturalise as German. This affects particularly large diaspora communities from India, China, and Pakistan.
| Country | Dual citizenship position | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Permitted — INA §349; Afroyim v. Rusk | US-German dual citizenship fully available; US tax obligations persist |
| United Kingdom | Generally permitted | UK-German dual citizenship fully available post-Brexit |
| India | Not permitted — Indian Citizenship Act 1955; automatic loss upon foreign naturalisation | Indian citizenship lost upon German naturalisation; OCI card available but is not citizenship |
| China | Not permitted — Nationality Law of the PRC | Chinese citizenship lost upon German naturalisation; Chinese government does not recognise dual holding |
| Pakistan | Dual citizenship with Germany not on permitted list | Pakistani citizenship may be at risk; legal advice strongly recommended before proceeding |
| Brazil, France, Israel, Australia, Canada | Generally permitted | Dual citizenship with Germany available; verify current position with home country embassy |
Former Germans Who Lost Citizenship Before 27 June 2024 — §13 StAG Re-Naturalisation
The 2024 reform operates prospectively — it does not automatically restore German citizenship to persons who lost it under the old §25 StAG by voluntarily naturalising in another country before 27 June 2024. If you renounced German citizenship or lost it through foreign naturalisation before the reform, your citizenship was not automatically restored on 27 June 2024. The remedy is §13 StAG Wiedereinbürgerung (re-naturalisation of former Germans), which is a discretionary process — not a statutory entitlement — with processing times of 18–30 months. Applications are made at the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) in Cologne for persons living abroad.
CRITICAL DISTINCTION: The 2024 StARModG reform did NOT restore citizenship to Germans who lost it before 27 June 2024 under old §25 StAG. If you took US or UK citizenship in 2018 and lost your German passport as a result, you must apply for re-naturalisation under §13 StAG (Wiedereinbürgerung). This is a discretionary process, not a statutory entitlement. Do not assume your citizenship was automatically reinstated — it was not. We assess §13 eligibility as part of a free desk consultation.
Practical Consequences of Holding Two Passports
German citizenship confers full EU citizenship under Article 20 TFEU: the right to live, work, establish businesses, and vote in all 27 EU member states without a visa or work permit. German passport holders enjoy Schengen Area freedom of movement and EU consular protection in over 160 countries where Germany has no embassy of its own. German military conscription has been suspended since 2011 (§17 WehrPflG) — there is no current military service obligation. Tax residency is determined by physical presence and habitual abode (§§8–9 AO), not by passport — a German-American dual national living in New York pays US taxes, not German taxes.
- German passport: EU citizenship + freedom of movement across all 27 EU member states (Article 20 TFEU)
- Schengen Area: visa-free travel; no border controls between 26 Schengen states
- EU consular protection: any EU member state's embassy or consulate assists German citizens where Germany has no representation
- Military service: German conscription suspended since 2011 — no current obligation for dual citizens
- Tax residency: determined by residence (§§8–9 AO), not citizenship; Germany does not tax non-resident citizens
- Which passport to use: enter Germany and EU on German passport; enter the US on US passport (CBP expects US citizens to use US documents at US ports of entry)
Application Process — Naturalising in Germany While Retaining Your Existing Passport
The standard naturalisation process (§10 StAG) begins at the Einbürgerungsbehörde of your city of residence. In Düsseldorf the authority is at Stadthaus, Burgplatz 1. our firm's case data shows typical Düsseldorf processing of 12–18 months from application submission to Einbürgerungsurkunde issuance. Berlin and Hamburg processing currently runs 18–30 months. The fee is €255 per adult and €51 per minor naturalising simultaneously (§38 StAG). The Einbürgerungstest (33 questions, 17 correct of 33 to pass, from a published pool of 300 questions) and B1 German language certificate remain required for all §10 StAG applicants.
- Step 1: Confirm eligibility — 5-year residence clock, B1 German certificate, Einbürgerungstest certificate, financial self-sufficiency, clean Führungszeugnis Belegart O
- Step 2: Gather documents — passport, all Aufenthaltstitel, Meldebescheinigungen for 5 years, language certificate, Einbürgerungstest certificate, 12 months' payslips or Steuerbescheide, health insurance certificate
- Step 3: Book appointment at Einbürgerungsbehörde — Düsseldorf: Stadthaus, Burgplatz 1; waiting times 4–12 weeks
- Step 4: Submit application; sign Bekenntnis-Erklärung (commitment to Basic Law); pay €255 per adult
- Step 5: Processing 12–18 months (Düsseldorf, our case data); 18–30 months in Berlin
- Step 6: Einbürgerungsurkunde (citizenship certificate) issued at Einbürgerungsfeier; apply for Personalausweis and Reisepass at Bürgeramt
Common Denial Reasons and How Our Firm Prevents Them
Naturalisation applications are denied at a higher rate than applicants expect. The most common grounds are: Bürgergeld (SGB II) or Sozialhilfe receipt in the preceding 24 months (§10(1) Nr.3 StAG) — unless caused by circumstances beyond the applicant's control; criminal convictions exceeding the 90 Tagessätze threshold (§10(1) Nr.5 StAG); language certificate from an unrecognised provider; and interruptions in the 5-year residency clock caused by absences exceeding 6 months in a calendar year. A rejected application can be challenged by Widerspruch within 1 month, and by Klage at the Verwaltungsgericht if the Widerspruch is unsuccessful. We review all eligibility conditions before submission to prevent denial.
- Bürgergeld receipt: disqualifier under §10(1) Nr.3 StAG unless caused by circumstances beyond control; We assess whether the §10(1) S.3 exception applies
- Criminal record: >90 Tagessätze for intentional offence or any suspended custodial sentence — disqualifying; foreign convictions assessed for German-law equivalency
- Unrecognised language certificate: only Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, DSD, TestDaF, and German school/university qualifications accepted
- Residency gap: absences >6 months in a calendar year interrupt the continuity clock — document all absences meticulously
- Remedy for denial: Widerspruch within 1 month; Verwaltungsklage at Verwaltungsgericht if Widerspruch rejected
How We Handle Your Dual Citizenship Case
German Company Formation (Graf-Adolf-Strasse 41, 40215 Düsseldorf; established 2007) is a German lawyers firm recognised by M&A International and ITR World Tax. Our citizenship team handles the full spectrum of dual citizenship mandates: eligibility assessment across the 5-year, 3-year, descent, and §13 re-naturalisation tracks; US-Germany dual citizenship with cross-border tax overlay (INA §349 + FBAR/FATCA + US-DE DTA); representation at the Düsseldorf Einbürgerungsbehörde; and combined citizenship plus company formation packages for entrepreneur clients who want German citizenship as a gateway to GmbH formation and EU market access. We offer a fixed-fee engagement with a clear timeline commitment.
- Free 30-minute eligibility assessment: 5-year vs 3-year track; descent vs §13 re-naturalisation; home-country dual citizenship risk assessment
- US-Germany dual citizenship: German law + US immigration law (INA §349) + US tax compliance (FBAR, FATCA, US-DE DTA) in one engagement
- Düsseldorf Einbürgerungsbehörde: our attorney attends the appointment with you; no bureaucratic surprises
- Combined package: citizenship + GmbH formation for entrepreneurs using dual citizenship as a gateway to EU business
- Contact: Graf-Adolf-Strasse 41, 40215 Düsseldorf | +49 176 26888856 | info@germancompanyformation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Germany allow dual citizenship in 2026?
Yes. Germany has broadly permitted multiple citizenship since 27 June 2024, when the Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts (StARModG, BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 43) entered into force. Under the new §12 StAG, multiple citizenship is the default rule upon naturalisation — no renunciation of your existing passport is required for any applicant of any nationality. This is a permanent statutory change, not a temporary measure.
Can a US citizen hold both German and American citizenship?
Yes, from both sides of the equation. German law (new §12 StAG effective 27 June 2024) requires no renunciation of the US passport. US law (INA §349; Afroyim v. Rusk, 1967) does not automatically strip US citizenship upon naturalisation in another country — only a voluntary act with specific intent to relinquish US citizenship can cause its loss. US-German dual citizenship is lawfully available and actively held by many thousands of dual nationals.
Do German-American dual nationals have to pay US taxes?
Yes. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live — citizenship-based taxation. A German-American dual national residing in Germany must file US federal tax returns annually, report foreign bank accounts via FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if total foreign account balances exceed $10,000, and report foreign financial assets via FATCA (Form 8938). The 1989 US-Germany Double Taxation Agreement mitigates double taxation but does not eliminate US filing obligations. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (§911 IRC) may reduce the US tax on German-sourced income.
What is the 3-year fast-track to German citizenship?
The §10(3) StAG fast-track, introduced by the 2024 StARModG reform, allows naturalisation after 3 years of lawful residence instead of the standard 5 years. Qualifying criteria include: exceptional civic engagement (Ehrenamt); outstanding professional, scientific, or economic achievement; or a C1-level German language certificate. The Einbürgerungsbehörde has discretion — this is not an entitlement as the §10 standard track is. We assess whether a client's profile meets the §10(3) criteria during the eligibility consultation.
I gave up my German citizenship before 2024 — can I get it back?
Not automatically. The 2024 StARModG reform operates prospectively and did not restore citizenship lost before 27 June 2024. If you voluntarily surrendered German citizenship (or lost it by naturalising abroad under old §25 StAG) before the reform, you must apply for re-naturalisation under §13 StAG (Wiedereinbürgerung). This is a discretionary process — not a statutory entitlement — with 18–30 months processing time. Applications are made at BVA Cologne (if living abroad) or the local Einbürgerungsbehörde (if in Germany).
Which countries still prohibit their citizens from holding German citizenship?
Germany's 2024 reform removes Germany's restriction — but cannot override your home country's law. India (Indian Citizenship Act 1955) and China (Nationality Law of the PRC) provide for automatic loss of their citizenship upon naturalisation in a foreign country. Pakistan does not list Germany among the countries with which dual citizenship is permitted. These countries' own laws cause citizenship loss regardless of what German law says. OCI card (India) is an alternative to Indian citizenship but is not a passport. We advise on the home-country impact before any naturalisation application proceeds.
How long does German naturalisation take?
Processing times vary significantly by city. The Düsseldorf Einbürgerungsbehörde typically takes 12–18 months from application submission to Einbürgerungsurkunde issuance (our case data). Berlin and Hamburg currently run 18–30 months. The initial appointment waiting time adds 4–12 weeks at most major city Einbürgerungsbehörden. Total elapsed time from deciding to apply to holding a German passport is typically 14–24 months for a straightforward Düsseldorf case.
Is the Moreno proposal a risk to US-German dual nationals?
No. The Moreno proposal (introduced in the US Congress in December 2025) would have stripped US citizenship from Americans holding citizenship in countries designated as adversary states. Germany is not and was never on any US adversary state designation list, and the proposal lacked legislative support or a path to passage. US-German dual citizenship is fully settled law on both sides and is not at legal risk from this proposal.
Can I get German citizenship by descent without living in Germany?
Yes. German citizenship by descent under §4 StAG and restoration under §15 StAG require no German residence and no German language test. You apply at the German embassy in your country of residence. Once confirmed by Feststellungsbescheid, you receive a German passport that confers full EU citizenship and freedom of movement — without ever having lived in Germany.
Does Germany allow triple or multiple citizenship?
Yes. The 2024 StARModG reform permits multiple citizenship without limit on the number of nationalities held. A person may simultaneously hold German, US, UK, and other passports if the other countries involved also permit multiple citizenship. Germany imposes no maximum on the number of nationalities a German citizen may hold under German law.
What German language level do I need for citizenship?
Minimum B1 CEFR for standard naturalisation under §10 StAG. C1 CEFR strengthens a §10(3) 3-year fast-track application significantly (and is de facto expected for the exceptional-integration assessment). Recognised providers: Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, DSD. German school-leaving qualification (Hauptschulabschluss or higher), German university degree, or German vocational qualification (Ausbildung) satisfies the requirement without a separate certificate. No language test applies to citizenship by descent (§4 StAG) or §15 StAG restoration.
How much does German naturalisation cost?
€255 per adult applicant and €51 per minor naturalising simultaneously (§38 StAG). Additional costs: Führungszeugnis Belegart O (€13 from BZJ); B1 language certificate (€120–€200 from Goethe-Institut or telc); Einbürgerungstest (€25 at BAMF centre); German passport after naturalisation (€70.40 for age 24+; €37.50 under 24). Our legal fees are quoted separately on a fixed-fee basis.
Related Guides
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How to Obtain German Citizenship — Einbürgerung Guide 2026
German citizenship after 5 years of lawful residence under the 2024 reform. Multiple citizenship broadly permitted since June 2024. This guide covers requirements, the test, and the full application process.
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