The Act to Modernize Citizenship Law (StARModG)

The long awaited change in German citizenship is here! In what can only be described as a historic event, the German Bundestag approved significant changes to Germany’s citizenship law on January 19, 2024. The new law will become effective on June 27, 2024.

The new law provides flexibility and being in line with citizenship laws of other countries, it reflects a more modern era and acknowledges the existence of multiple nationalities. The new law leads to a transformation in the landscape of German dual citizenship law. This change is particularly significant for our clients from the US or any other non-European Union countries as they no longer need to apply for a retention certificate in order to keep their German citizenship when applying for US citizenship or other non-EU citizenship. Significant changes also apply to residents of Germany since they are no longer compelled to renounce their original citizenship when obtaining German citizenship. After June 27, 2024 residents of Germany will be able to apply for German citizenship after 5 years of residency  which is a significant reduction from the previous requirement of 8 years. In some instances, it is now possible for individuals to apply for German citizenship after 3 years.

In view of these fundamental changes, it is advisable to seek guidance from our German citizenship lawyers to fully comprehend the implications of German and dual citizenship. Our attorneys advise on all aspects of German citizenship, including gaining German citizenship by descent specifically also German citizenship by declaration, German citizenship by residency, dual citizenship, and more.