Germany Dual Citizenship

Typically, Germany doesn’t allow dual citizenship, yet German nationality law recently changed, enabling more individuals to qualify for dual citizenship.

This means that now, children born to at least one German citizen may be able to qualify for multiple nationalities, but some who meet the qualifying criteria can hold German dual citizenship.

These changes, which will likely go into effect in Spring 2024, will permit non-EU naturalized Germans and children born in Germany to foreign parents to be able to hold multiple nationalities. This gets rid of the requirement for these individuals to choose between existing citizenship and German citizenship.

Proposed changes aim to simplify the process of acquiring citizenship in the following ways:

• A reduction in the number of years of continuous residency that is required for an individual to apply for citizenship from 8 to 5 or even 3 years for those who show exceptional integration in education, language at a C1 level, volunteering, or via work.
• A relaxation in the language requirements for those aged over 67 and those who have faced hardships.
• Granting children who were born in Germany to foreign parents automatic citizenship on the condition that their parents have lived in Germany for at least five years.

Page Contents

• Germany Dual Citizenship: Multiple Nationality Overview
• Does Germany Allow Dual Citizenship With U.S.?
• How To Apply For Dual Citizenship In Germany
• Requirements For Obtaining Dual Citizenship In Germany
• Documents Needed To Apply
• Processing Time and Cost for Getting Dual Citizenship In Germany?
• Benefits Of Dual Citizenship In Germany
• Challenges When Applying For German Dual Citizenship
• Tax Implications For US Citizens With Dual Citizens
• How Can Total Law Help?
• FAQs

Germany does allow for dual citizenship with the US. The country allows for dual citizenship both ways, where US citizens obtain German citizenship and vice versa.

Individuals from the US applying for German dual citizenship should be aware, however, that obtaining dual nationality between Germany and the US may have tax obligations that should be thoroughly considered before applying.

An individual can apply for dual citizenship in Germany if they obtain their German citizenship through one of the following routes:

• Citizenship by birth.
• Citizenship by declaration (wherein the applicant’s ancestor was German).
• Citizenship by naturalization.
• Citizenship by retaining citizenship.

Due to a new citizenship law expected to pass in Germany in 2024, many are applying for citizenship now, hoping that in the time it takes to process the application, the new law will be in place. However, it is best to wait until the law has been passed.

However, once the new law has been passed and has taken effect, the process to apply for dual citizenship in Germany will include the following steps:

1. Ensuring that you, the applicant, meet all of the necessary citizenship requirements.
2. Passing the German Test for Immigrants. If you are applying for citizenship by naturalization, this would require DTZ instead.
3. Gather together all the necessary documents for your application.
4. Submit the application form and supporting documents in person at the office where you obtained your application form.
5. Receive approval or rejection. This will typically take 18 to 24 months.

After an applicant has obtained German citizenship, they will receive a certificate of nationality that serves as proof, which they can then use to apply for a passport showing their citizenship. With German dual citizenship, the applicant will have all the same protections, rights, and obligations as all other German nationals do.

The requirements for dual citizenship in Germany differ depending on the route you take to obtaining dual citizenship. An individual can apply for citizenship in Germany if they already have permanent residence in the country and if they fit the following criteria:

• The individual has lived in Germany for at least 8 years of residence legally (this will change in 2024).
• The applicant has been married to a German citizen for a minimum of 3 years.
• The applicant is stateless.
• The applicant has the right to citizenship by birth.
• The applicant is an EU or Swiss national.

It is important to note that citizenship law in Germany will be changing in 2024, and thus it is important to understand the implications of these changes on any potential applications.

In current German citizenship law, however, multiple nationalities are rare but can result from several specific situations, such as the following:

• Children born to a non-German and German parent or to parents who have dual nationality will acquire the nationalities of the parents at birth due to the principle of descent.
• Ethnic German repatriates and family members who are admitted with them can acquire German citizenship when issued a repatriates certificate by Section 7 of the Nationality Act, so they need not give up previous citizenship. If it is also allowed by their country of origin, their children may then acquire German citizenship and the citizenship of their parents.
• In some cases, a German citizen can apply for dual nationality, which allows them to retain their current and German citizenship.

Those who manage to obtain multiple nationalities for one of these reasons will generally pass this on to their children. German law allows children to retain multiple nationalities permanently.

The documents you will require for your application depend entirely on the specifics of your situation. However, these documents can generally include the following:

• Your US passport and your national ID card.
• Your German residence card.
• The completed application form.
• If applying via ancestry, then proof your ancestors have German citizenship includes:
  • Previous German passports.
  • Refugee documents.
  • Family books.
  • Birth certificates.
  • Marriage certificates.
• Proof of proficiency in the German language.
• Evidence that the applicant has financial stability.
• A certificate of completion in the German citizenship by naturalization test known as DTZ if applied via naturalization.
• Proof that the applicant has submitted the fee payment. This will differ for adults and children.

The costs that are associated with applying for German Dual Citizenship will be dependent on how the individual applies; the route to application will impact fees. However, as of the time of writing (December 2023), the fees are as follows:

• There is no fee for citizenship by descent applications (declaration).
• There is a fee of €255 for citizenship through naturalization application for adults.
• There is a fee of €51 for citizenship through naturalization application for minors.
• There is a €255 fee for citizenship retention permit applications.

Applicants should also be aware that several indirect costs are incurred as a result of making the application; these are the applicant’s responsibility.

Additionally, the processing time of a German citizenship application will depend on the fluctuations in demand at the office that is processing the application. Processing times are also impacted by eligibility. Typically, on average, the process will take up to two years from start to finish, but it can be longer or shorter.

Having German citizenship alongside your current citizenship does have plenty of advantages.

German dual citizenship enables the applicant to study, live, work, and travel in the country and other EU countries. As a citizen of Germany, the applicant can also establish a company, start a business, or invest without any restrictions.

A German passport also makes international travel easier for those who may have professions that require staying abroad. These individuals can travel to over 170 countries without a visa and can use consular services across the world as well.

There are other advantages for those who are studying. It is possible to receive an excellent academic education at German universities without incurring significant financial expenses, as many would in other countries.

As a US citizen, there are only two primary ways that you can obtain a German passport: by naturalization and by descent. There are other ways; however, these are less common and can be more complicated, such as citizenship by marriage.

The application process for German citizenship is not easy either and can be very complex for those who are not familiar with the system. This, in itself, poses a challenge.

There are also several downsides to dual nationality between the US and Germany, including:

• Double taxation.
• Double military service.
• Difficulty being employed in government positions.
• Double legal obligations.

Applicants should ensure they are aware of all the challenges they may face in their application to become a dual citizen, as well as the downfalls of dual nationality law.