Germany Enacts Landmark Dual Citizenship Law: A New Era Begins
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Berlin is set to put into effect a key law on June 27, enabling millions of foreigners residing in Germany to obtain German citizenship without renouncing their original nationality. |
Today marks a significant milestone for Germany as the new dual citizenship law officially takes effect. The legislation, aimed at modernizing the country's nationality laws, introduces several key changes designed to make acquiring and retaining German citizenship more accessible.
One of the most notable changes is the elimination of restrictions on holding dual citizenship. Previously, German citizens who acquired a foreign nationality without a retention permit risked losing their German citizenship. Under the new law, these restrictions are lifted, allowing individuals to hold multiple citizenships without the need for special permits. This change is expected to attract more foreign talent and facilitate the integration of immigrants into German society by making the naturalization process more straightforward.
The law also reduces the residency requirement for naturalization from eight years to five years, and in special cases, such as for "exceptionally well-integrated" individuals, the requirement is reduced to three years. Additionally, foreign children born in Germany will be granted citizenship if one parent has resided in the country for at least five years and holds permanent residency.
These reforms aim to increase the uptake of German citizenship, which has historically been lower than the EU average, and make Germany a more attractive destination for international talent.