New Citizenship Law To Enter Into Force In June 2024

At a Glance

• Update – June 27, 2024: Following further clarification from authorities, this law went into effect on June 27, 2024.
• On March 26, 2024, the legislative process for the citizenship law was completed and the law will enter into force on June 26, 2024.
• Among other changes, the law will:
  • reduce the minimum period of German residence necessary for naturalization to five years (and even three years in exceptional circumstances), down from eight years.
  • allow German citizens to hold multiple citizenships whereas currently, dual citizenship is possible only in rare circumstances.
• This law is expected to increase uptake of German citizenship, especially as many potential citizenship applicants are citizens of other countries and therefore currently barred from naturalizing without giving up their current citizenship. It is also likely to make Germany a more attractive labour market for foreign talent, as access to a German passport will be