How is Naturalization doing after 5 years with the new naturalization law?
One of the most important changes with the new Naturalization Act concerns the legal duration of residence. There will be an important change to the requirements under Section 10 StAG: you will no longer have to wait 8 years before applying for Naturalization . From now on, 5 years of legal residence will be sufficient for you.
Have you been legally resident in Germany for 5 years? Then you can apply for German citizenship at Naturalization after 5 years, provided you meet all the other requirements.
Nothing changes in the application process. You organize all documents such as naturalization test, B1 certificate proof etc. and submit your application. Your application will be processed and in the end you will be granted German citizenship.
Does dual citizenship work with the new naturalization law?
In future, dual citizenship will be possible under the new Naturalization Act. This means that you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship and the exceptions according to § 12 StAG are no longer important for you. If your home country allows dual citizenship, you can become a dual citizen in Germany at Naturalization !
How is Naturalization doing after 3 years of the new Naturalization Act?
Previously, you had to wait 6 years to be eligible for Naturalization with special integration achievements. If you can show a C1 certificate and special integration achievements, then naturalization works for anyone who has lived legally in Germany for 3 years.
Special integration services are:
- Voluntary work: Example: volunteer fire department, language tutoring in German, social work.
- School achievements: School-leaving qualifications in Germany as proof
- Professional achievements: Special achievements and merits in your work.
The application process is the same as before at Naturalization (collect and organize documents, submit the application and, after your documents have been processed, the agreement on the ceremonial awarding of the naturalization certificate).
How will guest workers benefit from the new naturalization law?
People from the guest worker generation who have lived in Germany for years benefit from simplified requirements for the naturalization test (test to prove knowledge of the legal and social order in the Federal Republic of Germany) under the new Naturalization Act (Act to Modernize the Citizenship Act, StARModG). There are also simplified language requirements for these people. The Federal Government would like to thank these people for their efforts in this way and support them with their integration in Germany.
When will the new law come into force?
The details of the new law were published by the government in the Federal Law Gazette in March 2024. It was announced there that the new law on citizenship would come into force at the end of June 2024. The date has since been set for June 27. The Bundestag had already passed the law in mid-January 2024 and voted on the changes to citizenship law.
Why was the new naturalization law passed?
With the new Naturalization Act 2024, the German government aims to make it easier to become a German citizen. This should make integration in Germany much less complicated and make Germany more attractive as a country of immigration. The aim is also to give foreigners who come to Germany a perspective and thus create planning security for these people.
What happens if I have submitted my application beforehand?
If you submitted your application before the start of the new Naturalization Act, you can still obtain German citizenship under the new regulations. The naturalization authority must process your application in accordance with the new requirements. This means, for example, that although you originally had to renounce your previous citizenship when you applied before June 27, you will benefit from the introduction of dual citizenship in Germany.
Do the other requirements for Naturalization apply?
With the exception of legal residence, dual citizenship, changes with special integration benefits and simplifications for the guest worker generation, there are no changes. You must continue to provide proof that you are able to support yourself, the Clarification of identity and the signed declaration of loyalty and the information sheet on commitment to the free democratic basic order.
What will change with the new Naturalization Act?
The Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law will simplify applications to Naturalization , but longer waiting times are also to be expected. In our experience, the naturalization authorities are already struggling to process applications. This will become even worse with the new law. Without legal support, we believe that Naturalization will not be feasible in less than 4 years in the future.
