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SZ-Legal - Legal advice for private individuals and companies worldwide
Dual citizenship - legally sound advice from immigration lawyers
As a specialist lawyer for immigration law, I am happy to assist you with any questions you may have regarding immigration, residence, company formation or obtaining German citizenship.
Dual citizenship: legally sound advice from a lawyer specializing in immigration law
The introduction of dual citizenship in Germany represents one of the most significant advances in the recent reform of citizenship law. For numerous individuals with an international background, the new legal framework finally offers the possibility of legally retaining multiple citizenships without jeopardizing their German citizenship. As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I am available to provide expert advice on all aspects of the new legislation and will examine whether and under what conditions you can benefit from the changes.
Current regulations regarding dual citizenship in Germany
To properly understand the current legal situation regarding dual citizenship, it is important to look at the previous regulations in citizenship law. Until the summer of 2024, the general principle in Germany was to avoid multiple citizenships. Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship had, in most cases, to relinquish their previous citizenship.
However, even back then there were exceptions, for example for:
- Nationals of EU member states and Switzerland,
- recognized refugees,
- as well as those granted asylum.
For most applicants for naturalization, however, renouncing their previous citizenship remained a mandatory requirement for naturalization in Germany.
Amendment to the Law on Multiple Citizenship 2024
With the Citizenship Modernization Act The legislature has effected a fundamental paradigm shift. The previous principle that those seeking naturalization had to relinquish their former citizenship has been completely replaced. The obligation to renounce one's previous citizenship has been removed from naturalization law without replacement. This has fundamentally changed German citizenship law.
Since then June 27, 2024 Therefore, the following applies:
No one is required to give up their previous citizenship in order to acquire German citizenship.
Dual citizenship is now the legal norm.
A decision between old and new citizenship is no longer necessary.
This reform opens up new perspectives for people with international ties. Naturalization in Germany has become considerably more attractive, flexible, and relevant to everyday life. This particularly benefits individuals with family ties abroad, those who work professionally in multiple countries, those who pursue economic interests across national borders, or those who plan their long-term lives between two countries.
The introduction of dual citizenship in Germany represents one of the most significant advances in the recent reform of citizenship law. For numerous individuals with an international background, the new legal framework finally offers the opportunity to legally retain multiple citizenships without jeopardizing their German citizenship. As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I am available to provide expert advice on all aspects of the new legislation and will examine whether and under what conditions you can benefit from these changes.
Advantages of dual citizenship: legal, personal, and economic benefits
The dual citizenship Dual citizenship offers numerous advantages that extend beyond simply possessing two passports. For individuals with an international background, it primarily means greater legal security, expanded personal and professional opportunities, and tangible improvements in daily life. As an immigration lawyer, I provide comprehensive advice on the individual opportunities and options that arise from holding multiple citizenships.
Expanded political participation
Holders of multiple citizenships benefit from significantly expanded political rights. They have the opportunity to participate in national and municipal elections in both countries. Often, they also have the right to vote at the European or regional level, provided this is permitted by their respective citizenship. In many cases, they can even hold political office. Dual citizenship thus enables dual political participation – a considerable advantage in democratic systems.
Complete freedom of movement and residence
A particularly significant advantage is the unrestricted freedom of movement in two countries. Nationals can enter, live, work, or study at any time without visa requirements or other immigration restrictions.
For German citizens, the following also applies:
– unrestricted freedom of movement throughout the EU internal market,
– as well as free entry and residence in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
In practice, this means more career options, uncomplicated family visits, less administrative burden and a high degree of international mobility.
Stronger legal protection and protective rights
Individuals with multiple nationalities enjoy extended protections and fundamental rights. These include, among other things, access to positions protected by citizenship, enhanced social security entitlements, and consular protection from multiple states. These diverse legal positions can be crucial, particularly in international crises or complex family law matters.
Freedom of contract in inheritance law
An often underestimated advantage concerns international inheritance law. According to Article 22 of the European Succession Regulation, individuals with more than one nationality can specify which national inheritance law should apply upon their death. This creates considerable flexibility in estate planning, ensures legal certainty for heirs, and enables strategic planning of cross-border estates. This is a decisive factor for many of my clients, particularly when it comes to real estate or assets located abroad.
The specific implications of dual citizenship depend largely on your country of origin, your family situation, and your career plans. As an immigration lawyer, I will examine your personal options and show you which advantages you can directly leverage.
Dual citizenship through naturalization: new possibilities since the legal reform
The reform of Citizenship law has fundamentally redesigned naturalization in Germany. A significant step forward is the unrestricted admission of dual citizenship. For many people who have lived in Germany for years, this makes acquiring German citizenship a reality for the first time – without the previously mandatory relinquishment of their existing citizenship.
Elimination of a key obstacle to naturalization
Until the law was changed, renouncing one's previous citizenship was a mandatory requirement for most people seeking naturalization. This requirement posed a significant obstacle for many well-integrated individuals and often led to them not applying at all. The new legislation has eliminated this requirement without replacement.
Today, this means specifically:
– no longer an obligation to renounce one's previous citizenship,
– legally secure naturalization while retaining multiple citizenships,
– uniform requirements for all applicants.
Uniform rules for all applicants
Naturalization now takes place according to uniform legal standards – regardless of previous citizenship. There is no longer a legal distinction between EU citizens, refugees, or third-country nationals. The same applies to everyone: naturalization is possible without surrendering one's existing passport. This creates a high degree of legal certainty, transparency, and equal treatment.
New perspectives through dual citizenship
The new legal framework makes German citizenship truly attainable for many people for the first time. Those who will particularly benefit are people who have lived in Germany for many years, internationally active professionals, families with a multinational background, as well as the self-employed and entrepreneurs. Dual citizenship opens up new professional, economic, and personal opportunities without requiring the severing of existing family, cultural, or economic ties to the country of origin.
Take advantage of the current legal situation for your naturalization. I will check your eligibility, handle the application process, and reliably guide you until you receive your German passport – get a free, no-obligation consultation now.
Dual citizenship at birth – new opportunities for children with an international background
The reform of Citizenship law This not only affects the naturalization of adults, but also offers significant advantages for children born in Germany. In particular, the new law creates considerably more legal certainty for families with an international background when acquiring and permanently maintaining dual citizenship.
Acquisition of German citizenship by birth
Children of foreign parents can acquire German citizenship at birth according to Section 4 Paragraph 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG). The prerequisite is that one parent...
– has been living legally in Germany for at least five years and
– has an unlimited right of residence.
– has been living legally in Germany for at least five years and
– has an unlimited right of residence.
If these conditions are met, many newborn children automatically receive German citizenship in addition to the foreign citizenship of their parents.
At the same time, numerous countries grant citizenship based on the principle of descent. This means that children acquire the citizenship of their parents regardless of their place of birth. In practice, this results in many children born in Germany already possessing dual citizenship from birth.
Abolition of the obligation to choose citizenship – permanent retention of both nationalities
Under the previous legal framework, certain children with dual citizenship later had to choose between German and their foreign citizenship (the so-called option requirement). This regulation particularly affected young adults who had not grown up permanently in Germany.
The reform of citizenship law completely abolished the obligation to choose a nationality. This now means:
– Children born in Germany who hold dual citizenship,
– may retain both nationalities for life,
– regardless of whether they later grow up in Germany or abroad.
Advantages for families with an international background
The new legal situation brings significant simplifications and clear advantages:
– lasting legal certainty when retaining multiple citizenships,
– significantly fewer bureaucratic hurdles,
– no more pressure to make decisions in young adulthood,
– better mobility as well as long-term educational and future opportunities for children.
For families with international connections, the reform represents an important step towards greater predictability, equal treatment and a more practical design of citizenship law.
Grant your child all the benefits of dual citizenship. I will review your eligibility, answer any questions you may have, and reliably guide you through the entire process. Request a consultation now.
Advantages of dual citizenship for German citizens from a lawyer's perspective.
The reform of Citizenship law This brings noticeable relief for naturalization applicants and for children born in Germany. Also German nationals Many people benefit considerably from the new legal situation. For many who relocate their center of life abroad or wish to live and work there long-term, the now explicitly permitted dual citizenship represents a decisive advantage.
Elimination of the previous loss provision
Under the previous legal framework, German citizens automatically lost their citizenship if they acquired a foreign citizenship upon their own application – unless they had previously received permission to retain their German citizenship. This procedure was quite complex and involved considerable risks, posing a significant obstacle for many emigrants.
With the reform, this automatic process has been completely eliminated. Acquiring foreign citizenship no longer leads to the loss of German citizenship.
New opportunities for Germans abroad
German citizens will be able to in future
– to accept the nationality of their new country of residence,
– retain their German passport permanently,
– and this without a separate retention procedure and without risk of loss.
This offers significant advantages, particularly for individuals with permanent or long-term residence abroad. These include greater legal and residency security in their new country of origin, access to state benefits and rights in that country, opportunities for political participation, and easier access to the job market with improved career prospects. At the same time, all rights associated with German citizenship remain fully intact.
Strengthening mobility and international freedom of action
The new regulations significantly strengthen the international mobility of German citizens. They enable flexible life and career planning across national borders without the fear of losing German citizenship. The reform thus takes into account the realities of life in an increasingly globally networked society and creates a modern, practical citizenship law.
Dual citizenship opens up a wealth of new freedoms for you! As an immigration lawyer, I will examine your options, clarify potential risks, and provide you with legally sound support in acquiring an additional citizenship. Get a free, no-obligation consultation now.
What the reform of citizenship law now means for applicants
With the entry into force of the new Citizenship law In the summer of 2024, the legislature brought about a fundamental change. dual citizenship This is now the standard legal procedure, and naturalization in Germany has been significantly simplified overall. For many people, a German passport is now realistically attainable for the first time – without them having to lose their existing citizenship.
Reduced minimum stay
In addition to the widespread legalization of multiple citizenship, the minimum residency requirement for naturalization has also been shortened. Instead of the previously required eight years, five years of legal residence are now sufficient in many cases. With this adjustment, the legislature is responding to the increasing integration needs of skilled workers, families, and people permanently residing in Germany.
Simplified and more attractive naturalization procedure
The reform has made the naturalization process more transparent, legally sound, and significantly more attractive to applicants. The clearer legal requirements and the removal of previous obstacles considerably lower the barrier to applying.
An increase in naturalization applications is foreseeable.
A significant increase in naturalization applications is expected for 2025. The new legal framework is acting as a strong incentive for many applicants who have previously been hesitant. At the same time, it is already foreseeable that the naturalization authorities will be heavily burdened by the increased demand.
In practice, this can lead to longer processing times, delays in scheduling, delayed decisions, and an increased susceptibility to errors in official reviews. Against this backdrop, early and careful preparation of the naturalization application is becoming increasingly important.
The sooner I professionally prepare your application, the greater your chances of a quick decision. I will guide you from the initial review to the successful completion of your naturalization process.
Make an inquiry now
We will be happy to advise you comprehensively and personally on your concerns.
Dual citizenship: professional support from an experienced immigration lawyer
Dual citizenship opens up new professional, personal, and legal opportunities, but still presents applicants with complex legal requirements. Even after the legal reform, careful legal support remains crucial. I offer comprehensive support in the area of immigration law and will handle your application from start to finish.
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I offer you comprehensive legal support, in particular:
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Legal review of your qualifications
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Individual strategy for naturalization or dual citizenship
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Legally compliant application preparation and submission
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Compilation and review of all documents
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Direct communication with naturalization and immigration authorities
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Support with inquiries, delays and additional requests
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Advice on tax, family and inheritance law consequences
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Even in difficult situations, rejected applications or long processing times, I will consistently represent your interests.
My clients include: skilled workers, self-employed individuals, families with an international background, Germans with emigration plans, and people with complex residency status.
With my support, you benefit from legal certainty, time savings and maximum chances of success – without formal errors or unnecessary delays.
Take advantage of the new legal situation without risk. As a lawyer specializing in immigration law, I will examine your individual situation, handle your entire application process, and guide you safely to successful dual citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Since June 27, 2024, dual citizenship has been generally permitted in Germany. People who wish to become naturalized citizens are no longer required to renounce their previous citizenship. As a result, dual citizenship has become the norm.
Yes. Children who acquire multiple citizenships at birth can now retain them permanently. The previous requirement to choose one has been abolished. There is no longer any obligation to decide on a citizenship in young adulthood.
The regular minimum stay requirement is now only five years.
The processing time varies considerably and is usually between six and twenty-four months. Due to new legislation and an expected increase in applications, processing times could be extended in 2025.
Yes, tax obligations can arise in multiple countries. Additional tax advice is often recommended.
Yes. I can still issue a rejection if the requirements are insufficient, the information provided is incorrect, or there are concerns regarding safety.
Dual citizenship allows for political participation in two countries, simplifies travel and residency, improves career opportunities, and offers additional options for estate planning. I see that many people benefit from greater flexibility and legal security.
Yes, depending on the countries involved, obligations such as military service, tax duties, or differing legal systems can be significant. Legal advice allows me to identify potential conflicts early on.
In case of delays, I can request access to files, set deadlines, or examine whether an action for failure to act is possible. This often allows proceedings to be accelerated or brought forward in a binding manner.
The official fees currently amount to €255 for adults. Additional costs may apply for documents, translations, or required evidence. Legal assistance can help prevent costly mistakes.
