What exactly is the CDU calling for?
CDU politician Günter Krings has called for an amendment to the Nationality Act. This call comes in light of recent figures from the Integration Media Service, which show that the majority of newly naturalized citizens retain their previous nationality in addition to their German citizenship.
Krings takes a critical view of this trend. Speaking to the AFP news agency, he said, “The fact that so many new naturalizations are leading to dual citizenship is not a positive development.” In his view, action is therefore needed.
The CDU politician proposes expanding the legal provisions governing the loss of German citizenship. Specifically, he calls for making it easier for individuals with dual citizenship to lose their German citizenship in certain cases.
In this context, Krings refers in particular to individuals who commit Naturalization crimes after being Naturalization . In such cases, he believes there is a public interest in making it easier to revoke German citizenship.
In Krings’ view, the current legal provisions are insufficient. He criticizes: “The existing grounds for revoking a German passport are simply not enough. Why should someone be able to lose their German passport if they commit acts of terrorism abroad—but not within Germany?”
Under what circumstances may German citizenship be revoked?
The revocation of German citizenship following Naturalization is strictly regulated by law. The legal basis for this is found in Section 35 of the Nationality Act (StAG).
Accordingly, Naturalization may be Naturalization if it was obtained through fraud, threats, or bribery. This also applies if a person knowingly provided false information or concealed important facts during the naturalization process.
In principle, Naturalization revoked up to ten years after the naturalization certificate is issued.
In addition, German citizenship may be revoked in other cases. For example, this is possible if a person voluntarily joins the armed forces of another country of which they are also a citizen. Participation in combat operations carried out by a terrorist organization abroad can also result in the loss of German citizenship.
Could dual citizens find it easier to lose their German passports in the future?
There is currently no provision of the kind that Günter Krings is calling for. Under current law, committing a serious crime in Germany does not automatically result in the loss of German citizenship.
In order to implement the CDU politician’s proposal, the Nationality Act would have to be amended. This would require a specific bill and a majority in the Bundestag.
For example, specific changes could be made under which individuals with dual citizenship could lose their German citizenship if they commit serious crimes or acts of terrorism.
However, no such bill has been introduced at this time. It therefore remains to be seen whether this political initiative will actually result in a change in the law.
What does this mean for people with dual citizenship?
For people with dual citizenship, nothing is changing at this time. Dual citizenship remains permitted in principle, and the existing rules regarding the loss of German citizenship continue to apply unchanged.
The proposal put forward by CDU politician Günter Krings is, for now, merely a political suggestion. However, there is currently no concrete draft legislation.
The legal provisions resulting from the 2024 citizenship reform continue to apply to individuals who are currently seeking naturalization. Under these provisions, individuals may Naturalization retain their previous citizenship upon Naturalization .
