The new Naturalization Act was published in the Federal Law Gazette on 26.03.2024 and comes into force on 26.06.2024. Find out the most important things about the new law and how you can be naturalized after 5 years or 3 years. We answer all your questions about the changes to the law and what it means for you.
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Current update on the new Naturalization Act of 04.04.2024
The new Naturalization Act was published in the Federal Law Gazette on 26.03.2024! It therefore comes into force on 26.06.2024!
Current updates on the new Naturalization Act 2024 from 02.02.2024
The new Naturalization Act was passed by the Federal Council on 02.02.2024! Lawyer Fabian Graske commented on the adoption in the livestream, which you can watch here:
Here are the most important points you should know:
Introduction of dual citizenship: The previous regulation, which required the renunciation of the citizenship of the home country (§ 10 para. 4 StAG), will be abolished. In future, it will be possible to obtain German citizenship regardless of origin (e.g. Turkish, Syrian, Ukrainian, Afghan, Iraqi) without having to renounce the original citizenship.
Shortening the period of residence for Naturalization: The required period of legal residence in Germany will be reduced from 8 years to 5 years. This is intended to increase the attractiveness of German citizenship and contribute to solving the shortage of skilled workers.
Accelerated Naturalization for special achievements: People who have made special integration achievements (e.g. voluntary work, above-average performance at school and at work, C1 language certificate) can be naturalized after just 3 years.
Longer waiting times expected: Despite the simplifications, longer waiting times are to be expected, as an increased number of naturalization applications and an overload of naturalization authorities are expected. It is recommended that applications are submitted early and that legal support is sought if necessary in order to speed up the process.
What happens next?
If you would like to know whether you can already be naturalized under the new law, take our free test.
Naturalization: new laws! What is changing?
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Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is one of the key changes in the new law. Find out more here about what will change for you and how you can be naturalized with dual citizenship under the new law!
With the newly planned naturalization law, you can also be naturalized after 5 years. You can find out more about exactly how this works and what you need to bring with you so that Naturalization works after 5 years here!
Under certain conditions, Naturalization is also available after just 3 years. You can find out exactly which conditions you need to fulfill and what exactly you need to do here!
The new law does not only have positive aspects! It can have extreme consequences for Naturalization with even longer waiting times. You can find out why this is the case and why the new law is not only positive for your Naturalization here!
We have developed a test with the rules of the new naturalization law. Take our free test and find out now whether you will be eligible for Naturalization when the new law comes into force!
The current law still applies. Take our current test and find out whether you already meet the requirements for Naturalization ! Our legal experts will then get in touch with you and advise you!
Check the requirements for Naturalization and Settlement permit now
Take our free test and find out whether you already meet the requirements for Naturalization ! Our legal experts will then get in touch with you and advise you!
The governing parties agreed on the new law in May 2023. In January of this year, the law was passed in the Bundestag. The new Naturalization Act is therefore expected to come into force on 01.06.2024 or 01.07.2024.
Currently, the minimum period of residence for Naturalization is 8 years. This is set to change with the new Naturalization Act. The same requirements will apply as before, but Naturalization can be applied for after 5 years of legal residence if all other requirements are met.
The new law simplifies the path to Naturalization. Naturalization is to be possible after 5 years instead of the previous 8 years. This would shorten the legal period of residence. Those who can prove that they have a high level of professional qualifications, are involved in voluntary work and demonstrate special integration achievements can be naturalized after just 3 years. The ban on dual citizenship in Section 10 (4) StAG would be completely removed. This means that dual citizenship would then be legally permitted.
As positive as the plans for the new Naturalization Act are. This does not make Naturalization any faster. The new Naturalization Act is likely to result in even more applications. The authorities are already overwhelmed. This overload will continue to increase. There will also be more appeals for failure to act. Without legal support such as that provided by Migrando, we do not believe that Naturalization can be achieved in less than 4 years. Therefore: Apply for Naturalization as soon as possible, with the support of Migrando is the fastest way!
The costs for Naturalization remain the same. One Naturalization costs 255 euros per person and for underage children who are naturalized with their parents, 51 euros must be paid per child.
Currently, dual citizenship with Germany is only possible with EU countries and Switzerland. There are also exceptions if the citizenship of the home country cannot be transferred. These exceptions are set out in § 12 StAG. With the new Naturalization Act, everyone in Germany should have dual citizenship in the future, as the renunciation of citizenship according to § 10 para. 4 StAG and the exception § 12 StAG will no longer apply:
New naturalization law
Dual citizenship
Currently, Section 10 (4) StAG still applies as the standard. It states that a prerequisite for Naturalization is the renunciation of citizenship of the home country. Dual citizenship is only possible if the home country does not allow the renunciation for reasons of the exceptions listed in Section 12 StAG. In this case, dual citizenship is automatically acquired with Naturalization .
With the new Naturalization Act, § 10 para. 4 would no longer apply. What does this mean? If the new law comes into force, dual citizenship will be legally permitted and enshrined. It will then not matter whether you have Turkish, Syrian, Ukrainian, Afghan or Iraqi citizenship. You can then keep the citizenship of your home country and obtain German citizenship.
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New rules for Naturalization in 2024
Naturalization after 5 years
The government wants to make it easier to visit Naturalization in Germany in future. Until now, the requirement has been a legal residence in Germany for 8 years.
The government wants to reduce the legal residence period from 8 years to 5 years. This means that if you meet all the conditions, you can be naturalized with just 5 years of legal residence. The aim is to make German citizenship more attractive and, above all, to solve the problem of skilled workers. Germany will continue to need immigrants in the future who make Germany their home, work in Germany, pay taxes in Germany, pay into the German pension system and contribute to the German economy. In addition, language skills should also be made easier. The ability to communicate orally will be sufficient. Up to now, a B1 certificate has been a prerequisite.
Naturalization faster due to new law
Naturalization after 3 years
The current situation is that you can be naturalized after just 6 years if you have made special efforts to integrate. With the new naturalization law, 6 years would become 3 years. This means that with the new law, you could receive a German passport after just 3 years.
What do you have to do? Proof of voluntary work, language certificates, above-average performance at school and at work are also special integration achievements. With proof of this achievement and if you also meet all other requirements according to § 10 StAG, Naturalization will work after just 3 years. Please note: With the new Naturalization Act, § 10 para. 4 StAG no longer applies, so you don't have to think about that!
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Waiting times are getting longer!
Attention
Although the new naturalization law has positive aspects, it also has negative aspects. The waiting time will be even longer. So if you already meet all the requirements, contact us and apply for your Naturalization as quickly as possible. The number of naturalization applications will increase dramatically with the new law and this automatically means a further burden for the naturalization authorities.
The naturalization authorities are already overwhelmed by the extremely high number of applications. Now many people who came to Germany during the refugee crisis in 2015 are joining the ranks. These are millions of people. After 8 years, they have the opportunity to apply for Naturalization . We predict: Without legal support from Migrando, Naturalization will not be feasible in under 4 years. According to our many years of experience, the number of inactivity complaints will increase massively and you will then need legal support, which will make the whole naturalization process much faster!
Can you be naturalized under the new law?
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New naturalization law
Check requirements under the new law
We have developed a test with the rules of the new naturalization law. Take our free test and find out now whether you will be eligible for Naturalization when the new law comes into force!
The current law still applies. Take our current test and find out whether you already meet the requirements for Naturalization ! Our legal experts will then get in touch with you and advise you!
Check the requirements for Naturalization and Settlement permit now
Take our free test and find out whether you already meet the requirements for Naturalization ! Our legal experts will then get in touch with you and advise you!
Unfortunately, you have exceeded the allotted time. Unanswered questions are considered incorrect. You have 1 hour to complete the naturalization test.
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