German dual citizenship in 2026: what changed in the law since 2024
On 27 June 2024, Germany turned the page on almost a hundred years of restrictive migration policy. The Act to Modernise Nationality Law (StARModG) came into force on that date and, with it, the obligation to renounce one's country of origin passport in order to become a German citizen ceased to exist.
Those who were blocked by this decision no longer need to choose between one thing and the other. Foreigners with legal residence in Germany can apply for naturalisation and keep their country of origin document, without any special authorisation request. Germany has adopted dual and even multiple citizenship as the rule, not the exception.
What changed with the 2024 reform
Before the StARModG, the general rule required formal renunciation of the previous citizenship. There were some exceptions, but the process was bureaucratic and, in practice, discouraged many people.
With the reform, the main points changed as follows:
- Dual citizenship is the norm: there is no longer any need to renounce the country of origin passport. This applies both to foreigners who naturalise in Germany and to Germans who acquire another citizenship.
- Reduced residence time: the standard requirement dropped from eight to five years of continuous legal residence.
- End of the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung: the "citizenship retention permit", previously required to avoid automatic loss of German citizenship, has been discontinued.
- Reformulated naturalisation test: the questions now include deeper topics on Germany's historical responsibility. The candidate must formally declare adherence to the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) and acknowledge the equality of rights.
The residence registration in Germany remains the mandatory starting point for every path towards naturalisation. Without a valid Anmeldung, no time calculation is recognised. The project begins long before that: those planning their study exchange in Germany will find the complete path through visa and residency in the study and work in Germany programme.
What are the current requirements for naturalisation
Naturalisation in 2026 follows the standard set by the StARModG. The main requirements, according to the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees), are:
- Five years of legal and habitual residence in Germany
- Ability to support oneself without relying on public social benefits
- Proficiency in German at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
- Passing the citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest)
- Declaration of adherence to the democratic and liberal order of the Basic Law
- Absence of relevant criminal conviction
An exchange programme in Germany with a student visa and residence permit completed with a recognised document can count towards the total.
The condition is that the stay is legal and continuous throughout the entire period.
Is there a faster route?
The original reform provided for naturalisation in three years for candidates with exceptional integration. The criteria included German at C1 level, a track record of relevant voluntary work and outstanding professional performance.
This three-year fast track was closed after October 2025, according to the German immigration law firm se-legal.de. The standard five-year path is now the only one available to the vast majority of applicants.
How residence time is counted
Not every period spent in Germany counts the same way for naturalisation. The BAMF considers legal and habitual residence to be that registered with an active Anmeldung and a valid residence permit.
What counts:
- Aufenthaltserlaubnis for work, study or vocational training purposes
- Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence)
- Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU
What does not count:
- Tourist visa and short-stay Schengen visits
- Periods of irregular stay, before regularisation
Those who arrived on a tourist visa and later regularised their situation can only count time from the date of regularisation, not from their arrival.
Which residence permit starts the clock?
Permanent residence in Berlin is frequently the step immediately preceding naturalisation. It demonstrates to the Einwohnermeldeamt that the ties to the country are stable and long-term.
An exchange programme in Germany lasting twelve to twenty-four months, with the appropriate visa and an active Anmeldung, already starts accumulating valid time towards future naturalisation.
The Leben in Deutschland test: what to expect
The citizenship test is a formal part of the process. Made up of 33 multiple-choice questions drawn at random from an official bank of 310 questions, it requires at least 17 correct answers to pass. The questions cover:
- German history and historical responsibility
- The political system and how institutions work
- Fundamental rights and constitutional values
- Practical life: traffic laws, workers' rights, the healthcare system
Preparation for the Einbürgerungstest starts with the most recurring question formats and familiarisation with the required political and historical vocabulary.
The pass rate is high for those who prepare in advance. Most candidates pass on the first attempt with three to four weeks of study using the BAMF's official question bank.
Documents required for the application
The process is conducted with the Einbürgerungsbehörde of the municipality of residence. The standard documentation required includes:
- Valid country of origin passport
- Current German residence permit
- Proof of income and financial self-sufficiency (employment contracts, tax declarations, bank statements)
- Criminal record clearance certificate from the country of origin and Germany
- German language proficiency certificate at B1 level or above
- Proof of passing the Einbürgerungstest
The visa to study and work in Germany in 2026 is frequently the first formal document in this journey.
Arriving with the right document from the start saves years of bureaucratic rework later.
Dual citizenship in practice: what changes in everyday life
Having two active passports brings concrete advantages. With the German passport, the holder gains:
- Access to more than 180 countries without a visa, according to the Henley Passport Index
- The right to work and reside in any European Union country without additional authorisation
- Access to German consular services abroad
- The right to vote in German elections, including elections to the European Parliament
The country of origin passport remains active and can be renewed normally. There is no legal conflict between the two documents. Germany has explicitly recognised dual nationality since the StARModG came into force in June 2024.
The Be Easy study and work in Germany programme accompanies the project from the choice of the initial visa through to planning the next residency steps.
Processing backlogs in 2026
There is a significant backlog at the Einbürgerungsbehörden in large cities. In Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, appointments can take six to twelve months.
Three practical measures reduce this waiting time:
- Start the process early, before completing the five years
- Gather all documentation before the appointment
- Check whether the municipality accepts digital filing via StA-Online
The requirements for living legally in Germany include important distinctions between the residence permits that count towards naturalisation and those that do not.
This detail directly affects the planning of those structuring a long-term path.
Frequently asked questions about German dual citizenship in 2026
Do I need to give up my current passport to become a German citizen?
No. Since 27 June 2024, Germany allows dual and multiple citizenship without requiring renunciation of the country of origin passport. The StARModG eliminated that obligation for all cases of naturalisation based on legal residence in the country.
How many years do I need to live in Germany to apply for naturalisation?
The standard requirement in 2026 is five years of continuous legal residence, with an active Anmeldung and a valid residence permit throughout that period. The three-year fast track, which existed for candidates with exceptional integration, was closed after October 2025.
Does exchange time on a student visa count towards naturalisation?
Yes, provided the student holds a residence permit recognised by the BAMF, such as the Aufenthaltserlaubnis for study purposes, and an active Anmeldung throughout the period. Stays on a short-stay Schengen visa or tourist visa do not count.
What German level is required for naturalisation?
The minimum required level is B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference. The candidate must prove proficiency with a BAMF-recognised certificate. The fast track required C1, but that track has been closed, making B1 the standard threshold for almost all applicants in 2026.
What is the Einbürgerungstest and how do I prepare for it?
The Einbürgerungstest has 33 questions drawn from an official bank of 310 questions on German history, the political system, fundamental rights and practical life in the country. 17 correct answers are required to pass. The complete question bank is public and available on the BAMF website, which allows direct preparation with the actual exam material.
Be Easy: boutique international consulting
Be Easy supports professionals and families who want to build a solid path in Germany, from the initial visa to long-term residence planning. If you are mapping the route to naturalisation and want to understand how to structure each phase safely, we have the right curation for that. Speak with a dedicated senior consultant and get in touch with us.
