Change in German citizenship law concerning applying for permission to retain German nationality in the case of persons living abroad

The German Bundestag has passed new legislation to modernise citizenship law. Under the new legislation, multiple nationality is allowed across the board as of 27 June 2024. Specifically, this means that you will no longer need to apply for permission to retain your German nationality (as was necessary post-Brexit up until that date, pursuant to section 25 of the Nationality Act) if you acquire a foreign citizenship. It is no longer necessary or even possible to apply for permission to retain your citizenship.

Anyone who acquires a foreign nationality after this law comes into force will no longer lose their German nationality.

The law was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 26 March 2024 and came into force on 27 June 2024 (three months after promulgation).

Contact form

If after reading the information on our website you still have questions about German citizenship, please answer the following questions by email via our contact form (select the topic: Citizenship enquiries).

1. When and where were you born?
2. What was the nationality of your parents at the time of your birth? Have your parents ever had or do they still have a German passport?
3. Were your parents married to each other at the time of your birth? If applicable, when and where did your parents get married? If not, has your father acknowledged paternity?
4. When and where were your parents born?
5. What was the nationality of your parents when they were born?
6. Have your parents ever acquired British (or a different) citizenship? If so, when?
7. What nationality (nationalities) did your grandparents have at the time your parents were born?
8. Were your grandparents married to each other at the time your mother/your father was born? When and where did they get married?
9. Have you, your parents or your grandparents ever applied for British (or a different) citizenship? If so, please state who was naturalised, and when, and which family members may have been included in the (parents’) application.
10. Have you, your parents or your grandparents ever performed military service in a country other than Germany? If so, when?
11. Are you or was one of your ancestors adopted? If so, who and when?