Dual citizenship in Germany: the rules since 2024
Redaktion · 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
In short
Since 27 June 2024 Germany generally allows dual citizenship: when you naturalise you no longer have to give up your previous passport, and Germans no longer lose their citizenship when they take another one. Whether your country of origin lets you keep its citizenship, however, is decided by its own law.
What changed?
| Until 26 June 2024 | Since 27 June 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation | Previous citizenship usually had to be given up | Previous citizenship may be kept |
| Germans taking a second citizenship | German citizenship lost, unless with a retention permit | No loss, no retention permit needed |
| Children of foreign parents born in Germany | Option duty: choose one citizenship later | Option duty abolished |
| Minimum residence for naturalisation | 8 years | 5 years |
Naturalisation: keep your passport
If you naturalise, you no longer have to give up your current citizenship. The other requirements stay: five years' residence, German at B1, the citizenship test and an income without Bürgergeld. The full list is in German citizenship requirements 2026.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, naturalisations reached a record in 2025, and the office names exactly this reform as one reason. More in German naturalisations 2025: a record.
What does your home country say?
Germany no longer asks you to give up your old citizenship. Whether you may keep it, however, depends on the law of your country of origin. Some states withdraw their citizenship when someone takes another. Ask your country's embassy or consulate before you naturalise.
Children born in Germany
A child of foreign parents becomes German at birth in Germany if one parent has lived here lawfully for five years and holds a permanent right of residence (§ 4(3) StAG). The child also keeps the parents' citizenship. The former duty to choose one later no longer exists.
Does it apply retroactively?
No. The law contains no retroactive rules for events before 27 June 2024. If you lost German citizenship earlier, you may be able to regain it by naturalisation under § 13 StAG.
Frequently asked questions
Is dual citizenship allowed in Germany?
Yes, generally since 27 June 2024. When you naturalise you may keep your previous citizenship, and Germans no longer lose theirs when they take another.
Do I have to give up my passport when I become German?
Not under German law any more. Whether your country of origin lets you keep its citizenship depends on its own law.
Does the option duty still exist?
No. Since 27 June 2024, children of foreign parents born in Germany no longer have to choose one citizenship.
I lost my German citizenship before 2024. Do I get it back automatically?
No, the law is not retroactive. But you may be able to regain it by naturalisation under § 13 StAG.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office: nationality law, important changes (27.06.2024), checked 9 October 2026
- German Nationality Act (StAG), section 4, checked 9 October 2026
- Federal Statistical Office (Destatis): 332,500 naturalisations in 2025, press release no. 186, checked 9 October 2026
