The German Federal Council approved the reform of citizenship law on 2 February 2024. This means that people in Germany can be naturalized more quickly and, under certain conditions, retain their previous citizenship. Read more about the advantages of German citizenship and the requirements for naturalization here.

1. The most important changes

  • Faster naturalization: In future, naturalization will be possible after just five years instead of the previous eight. In the case of “special integration achievements” (e.g. good performance at school or work or civic engagement), naturalization will even be possible after just three years. In future, children of foreign parents will be granted German citizenship at birth if one parent has been legally resident in Germany for five years.
  • Dual citizenship: German citizenship law previously required that the original citizenship had to be given up “in principle” before naturalization in Germany. It is now possible to keep your previous citizenship in future. In future, Germany will waive the requirement to give up the previous citizenship, so that it will be possible to hold another citizenship in addition to German citizenship. However, the requirement for this is that dual citizenship is also permitted in the country of the previous citizenship.
  • Guest workers: Those who came to the Federal Republic as guest workers or as contract workers in the GDR only have to prove their oral knowledge of German for naturalization and no longer have to take a naturalization test.
  • Commitment: In addition to a commitment to the German Basic Law, a commitment to the protection of Jewish life is now also required for naturalization.

 

2. Facts & advantages of German citizenship

In Germany, far fewer people naturalize than could probably do so: in 2021, only 2.45% of foreigners who have lived in Germany for at least ten years naturalized.

However, there are numerous advantages to (additional) German citizenship:

  • Right to vote: As a German citizen, you can help shape politics in Germany by having the right to vote.
  • Access to all professions: As a German citizen, you are free to choose your profession. The profession you choose is no longer dependent on your residence permit. In addition, you can, for example, work for the police, as a teacher, judge or public prosecutor.
  • Lifelong secure residence: As a German citizen, you will receive lifelong secure residence status in Germany without having to obtain permits from the Foreigners’ Authority. You can also work in all EU member states without having to apply for an additional residence permit.
  • Freedom to travel: As a German citizen, you can travel to 189 countries without a visa (as of January 2021). Hardly any other nationality in the world offers you this advantage.
  • State protection: As a German citizen, you are protected against removal or extradition to another country. Abroad, the German embassies are also responsible for you and offer you protection.

 

If you have any questions about our services or need assistance with applying for a residence permit for Germany or a visa for Germany, please do not hesitate to contact us. We support you in applying for all types of visas and residence permits for Germany.

We will be happy to discuss the other requirements for obtaining German citizenship and the documents required for the application with you in a (free) personal consultation. Book a demo here!

 

VISALABS – Visa for Germany