Almost all naturalized citizens retain their previous nationality
For many people, the possibility of dual citizenship is a key reason for applying forNaturalization Germany. This is also reflected in recent figures from the Mediendienst Integration. According to these figures, an estimated three to six million people with dual citizenship currently live in Germany.
A clear trend is also evident among new naturalizations: More than 80 percent of people who have been naturalized since 2024 have retained their previous nationality in addition to their German citizenship. Only a relatively small proportion hold Naturalization German citizenship following Naturalization .
There are various reasons why not all naturalized citizens hold dual citizenship. Some individuals were Naturalization prior to their Naturalization . In other cases, the country of origin does not permit dual citizenship, or only under certain conditions.
Dual citizenship possible since 2024
Dual citizenship has been permitted in Germany since the reform of the nationality law in June 2024. Since then, the rule has been that those who naturalize are generally no longer required to renounce their previous nationality.
This has led to a significant increase in naturalizations: In 2024, approximately 292,000 people were naturalized —more than ever before. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, nearly 80 percent of them were allowed to retain their previous citizenship.
However, dual citizenship is not entirely new in Germany. Even before the 2024 reform, it was already possible in certain cases. For example:
- if the country of origin did not permit renunciation of citizenship or allowed it only under very difficult or unreasonable conditions,
- if a child has acquired German citizenship from one parent and foreign citizenship from the other parent,
- if a child of foreign parents was born in Germany and met the legal requirements for acquiring German citizenship,
- when nationals of another EU member state or Switzerland have been naturalized in Germany. As a rule, they were not required to renounce their previous nationality even before the reform.
What are the requirements for dual citizenship?
Anyone who wishes to obtain German citizenship in addition to their own nationality must apply for naturalization. To do so, applicants must meet several important requirements.
As a general rule, you must have been living legally and habitually in Germany for at least five years. You must also provide proof of your identity and nationality. You must have sufficient knowledge of German, be able to support yourself financially, and demonstrate an understanding of the legal and social system in Germany.
Added to this is a commitment to the free democratic basic order. Since the 2024 reform, a commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility has also played an important role.
Which countries allow dual citizenship?
Whether dual citizenship is actually possible depends not only on German law. The law of the country of origin is also decisive—that is, whether the country of origin allows the previous citizenship to remain in effect when a person acquires German citizenship.
Many countries now allow dual citizenship either unconditionally or under certain conditions. In Europe, for example, multiple citizenship is possible in 36 countries:
Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Vatican City, United Kingdom, Cyprus
Outside of Europe, too, many countries allow dual citizenship, including:
Africa
Egypt, Angola, Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Kenya, Comoros, Rep. Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tonga, Chad, Uganda
Asia
Afghanistan, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, East Timor, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam
North and Central America
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the United States
South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Oceania
Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Which countries do not allow dual citizenship (or allow it only under certain conditions)?
Not all countries allow dual citizenship. In some countries, obtaining a German passportmay result in the automatic loss of one’s previous citizenship. Other countries, however, permit dual citizenship only in exceptional cases or do not fully recognize it under the law.
Europe
Andorra, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, the Netherlands, Austria, San Marino, Slovakia
Africa
Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Senegal, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Central African Republic
Asia
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Uzbekistan
North America, Central America, and South America
Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname
Oceania
Papua New Guinea
It is therefore important for those seeking naturalization to understand that German law alone is not sufficient. Anyone who wishes to retain their current citizenship should Naturalization , before Naturalization , what consequences acquiring German citizenship will have in their country of origin.
Conclusion: What does this mean for people who want to become naturalized citizens?
As of 2024, anyone applying for German citizenship may retain their previous citizenship under German law. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check the regulations of your country of origin well in advance. This is because whether you can actually retain your previous citizenship depends not only on German law, but also on the regulations of your country of origin.
The latest figures show that many people seeking naturalization are taking advantage of the option of dual citizenship. This allows them to acquire German citizenship without having to give up their ties to their country of origin. This benefits not only those who naturalize in Germany, but also German citizens who wish to acquire another citizenship abroad.
