Dual Citizenship Germany 2026: What Changed After the Reform

Before the reform, the StAG followed the principle of loss or renunciation: those acquiring German citizenship generally had to give up their previous citizenship. The former § 12 StAG allowed multiple citizenship only as an exception — for example for EU citizens, recognized refugees, and hardship cases. With the reform, renunciation was abolished as the rule: § 10 StAG no longer requires giving up the previous citizenship, and the old exception provisions § 12, § 25 (loss upon acquiring a foreign citizenship), and § 27 StAG were repealed without replacement (weggefallen). The result:

"Multiple citizenship is accepted" — it has been the general rule since the reform.

This ends a citizenship doctrine in Germany that dates back to the Reich and Citizenship Act of 1913. With the reform, naturalization applicants generally no longer have to renounce their previous citizenship. This applies regardless of whether the country of origin is an EU member, has a multiple citizenship agreement with Germany, or is considered a third country.

The Act amending the Nationality Act and other provisions of October 27, 2025 (referred to during the legislative process as the "Sixth Act to Amend Nationality Law"; in force since October 30, 2025) did not reverse the multiple citizenship rule. However, it introduced two important modifications:

§ 35a StAG — Waiting period for deception. Anyone who makes false or incomplete statements in the naturalization process and thereby obtains naturalization can, upon discovery, be subject to a ten-year waiting period before reapplying. The article Waiting period § 35a StAG describes which constellations specifically trigger the waiting period.

Deletion of the 3-year special rule. The 2024 reform introduced, on a temporary basis, a 3-year track for special integration achievements (in force from June 27, 2024 to October 29, 2025). This special rule was deleted again as of October 30, 2025 — what remains is the 5-year standard period as the uniform threshold, with exceptions for spouse naturalization under § 9 StAG.

The multiple citizenship rule itself remained untouched by the 2025 reform. The main statement still applies: Dual citizenship is regularly possible.

Turkey

Turkish citizens retain their Turkish passport when naturalizing as Germans in 2026. The Çıkma-İzin-Belgesi process through the consulate is no longer required. Those naturalized before 2024 with Çıkma-İzin-Belgesi hold the Mavi Kart or are entitled to it — the article Mavi Kart and Naturalization details Mavi Kart constellations.

Ukraine

Ukrainian citizens retain their Ukrainian passport in 2026. Even before 2024, multiple citizenship was generally recognized for Ukrainian applicants — based on the BMI circular of September 6, 2022, which established war-related consular inaccessibility. With the general multiple citizenship rule, the special justification is obsolete in 2026. Specific application steps for Ukrainian citizens are described in the article Naturalization for Ukrainian Citizens.

Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran has no simplified release from citizenship; Iranian citizenship generally remains under Iranian law even when acquiring foreign citizenship. With the German reform of 2024, multiple citizenship is now regularly recognized — the previous special path (multiple citizenship approval due to Iranian release impossibility) is no longer needed.

Iranian-German dual nationals should note that Iranian law affects certain areas of life (inheritance law, family status law, military service for male applicants of military age). Consular information from the Iranian Consulate General may be useful in individual cases.

Syria

Syrian citizens retain their Syrian passport in 2026. War-related consular inaccessibility was also a practical reason for recognizing multiple citizenship before 2024; with the general reform, the special justification is obsolete in 2026. Those who wish to avoid contact with the Syrian consulate due to asylum recognition are exempt from the passport procurement obligation anyway.

Russia

Russian citizens retain their Russian passport. Russia generally recognizes dual citizenship, with reporting obligations to Russian authorities. Those naturalizing in Germany while remaining Russian citizens should check the Russian reporting obligation (according to Russian Federal Law No. 142-FZ); in practice, reporting is done during a personal visit to the Russian consulate or via online platform.

EU States

EU citizens (e.g., Italians, Poles, Spaniards, Greeks, Portuguese) retained their citizenship even before 2024 — § 12 StAG had a special regulation for them. After the reform, this special basis is no longer needed; the general multiple citizenship rule also covers EU citizens.

USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Other Third Countries

Here too, the previous citizenship is retained. The respective countries of origin have different practices regarding multiple citizenship; the German side no longer requires renunciation as a prerequisite in 2026.

Acquisition of German citizenship by birth (§ 4 StAG). Children born in Germany since June 27, 2024, whose parents (at least one parent) have been legally residing in Germany for five years, automatically acquire German citizenship — without application and without renouncing other citizenships. The option model, under which such children had to choose between citizenships from age 18, was abolished in 2014.

The other requirements § 10 StAG. Accepting multiple citizenship does not mean that the threshold for naturalization by entitlement has fallen. The five-year residence period, secured livelihood, B1 language level, naturalization test, criminal record-free status, declaration and loyalty declaration — all these requirements remain unchanged.

Security retention. Anyone who belongs to a terrorist organization or has participated in antisemitic or racist acts will not be naturalized, regardless of multiple citizenship. These blocking grounds are anchored in § 10 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 1 StAG (declaration clause) and were even tightened by the reform.

Germans who have children abroad regularly pass on German citizenship. If the child additionally acquires the citizenship of the place of birth (e.g., USA: ius soli), multiple citizenship situations arise. These constellations are not directly affected by the 2024 German reform — they existed before. Parents may need to apply for a passport for the child at the Consulate General to document German citizenship.

Municipal naturalization authorities have adapted to the new legal situation in 2026. Application forms have been adjusted, staff trained. In practice, applicants find:

• No more renunciation step. The previous step "applying for release from previous citizenship at the responsible consulate" has been eliminated.
• Multiple citizenship is not separately documented. Presenting the existing passport is sufficient.
• Multiple citizenship does not appear in the German passport. The German passport documents German citizenship — the second citizenship is not noted there.

After naturalization, dual nationals should check with the Federal Central Tax Office whether tax obligations arise from the second citizenship (e.g., US citizens must declare worldwide income in the USA — FATCA implications).

Do I have to inform my country of origin after naturalization that I am now German?

This depends on the country of origin. Russia, India, and some other states have reporting obligations for their citizens; others (Turkey, Ukraine, Iran) have no general reporting obligations. Consular information from the responsible Consulate General may be useful in individual cases.

Can I still regularly visit my country of origin after naturalization in 2026?

Yes, with the passport of the country of origin or with the German passport (if visa-free). Some states expect their multiple citizens to enter with the domestic passport — not relevant for entries to third countries.

Does multiple citizenship affect military service?

In Germany there is no military service (suspended 2011, formally still legally existent). In other states, military service may exist that also applies to dual citizens — examples are Turkey, Iran, Israel, Russia, South Korea. Male dual nationals should clarify this with the consulate of their country of origin.

Can I renounce German citizenship again in 2026?

Yes. § 17 ff. StAG provides for the renunciation procedure. Anyone who wishes to give up German citizenship for personal reasons submits an application to the Federal Office of Administration; the procedure usually takes several months.

Are there professions in 2026 where dual citizenship is an obstacle?

In security-sensitive areas (BND, Office for the Protection of the Constitution, some Bundeswehr functions), multiple citizenship can lead to intensified security checks. For most activities — including in public service — dual citizenship is not an obstacle in 2026.

Does multiple citizenship affect social benefits?

No. Social benefits (Bürgergeld, housing allowance, child benefit) are granted based on lawful residence in Germany, not on citizenship. Multiple citizenship has no effect here in 2026.

Those who have submitted their application and are now waiting for the decision — typical processing time 6 to 36 months depending on the municipality — can use the civitas. application tracker to monitor the processing time of the responsible authority, plan deadline responses, and have official letters automatically translated. Track application →

Further Articles:

• Dual Citizenship
• Citizenship Act (StAG)
• Mavi Kart and Naturalization
• Naturalization for Ukrainian Citizens

Legal Notice: This article describes the legal situation in Germany after the StARModG of 22.03.2024 and the Act amending the Nationality Act and other provisions of 27.10.2025. It does not replace legal advice in individual cases. civitas. is a private application assistance service and not an authority. Effects of multiple citizenship on the law of the country of origin (military service, reporting obligations, inheritance law) must be clarified with the responsible consulate.