Frequently asked questions: Reform of the Nationality Law

type: Frequently asked

What are the core elements of the legislative reform?

Multiple citizenship will be allowed: in future, immigrants will no longer be required to give up their former citizenship when applying for naturalisation.

The naturalisation process will be sped up: the new legislation will allow naturalisation after five instead of eight years.

High level of integration will be rewarded: people who demonstrate a particularly high level of integration into German society will be able to become naturalised German citizens after as little as three years.

The lifetime achievements of the “guest worker” generation will be recognised: proof of spoken German language skills will be sufficient to become naturalised German citizens (applicants will not be required to take a citizenship test).

When will the new legislation enter into force?

The Federal Cabinet adopted the draft legislation on 23 August 2023. Parliamentary consultations will begin in autumn this year. The legislation is expected to be adopted in the first half of 2024.

To whom will the rules on multiple citizenship apply?

In future, everyone applying to become a naturalised German citizen will be able to retain their former citizenship without restrictions.
In addition, all German nationals who wish to acquire another citizenship will be able to retain their German citizenship automatically. They will no longer need to apply for permission to retain their German citizenship.

How many people apply for naturalisation in Germany each year?

In 2022, 168,545 people living in Germany became naturalised German citizens. This number represents only 3.1 per cent of foreign nationals who had been living in Germany for at least ten years.

You can find the naturalisation statistics of the Federal Statistical Office here.

Will people who receive social benefits be entitled to naturalisation as well?

Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship must be able to support themselves and their dependants on their own.

In order to be entitled to naturalisation, foreign nationals must not be in receipt of any benefits in accordance with Book Two or Book Twelve of Germany’s Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch, SGB).

However, there will be exceptions for three groups of people:

  • Former “guest workers” or “contract workers” if recourse to benefits in accordance with Book Two or Book Twelve of the Social Code is due to conditions beyond their control
  • Foreign nationals who have been working full-time for at last 20 months over the past 24 months
  • Spouses (or registered civil partners) of fully employed persons who are living in a family household with these persons and a minor child

Will it also be possible for applicants who have been convicted of a criminal offence to become naturalised German citizens?

Applicants must have a clean criminal record.

However, penalties for certain minor offences, including fines of up to 90 day fines and suspended sentences of up to three months’ imprisonment, are not an obstacle to naturalisation.

However, there is one exception: those who do not share the values of our free society or who act in violation of them cannot become German citizens. Immigrants who have been convicted of an antisemitic, racist or other criminal offence evidencing contempt for humanity cannot acquire German citizenship, regardless of the severity of the sentence.

Which benefits will apply for the “guest worker” generation?

In recognition of their lifetime achievements, the new legislation will make naturalisation for members of the “guest worker” generation easier. Instead of having to demonstrate written German language skills, proof that these persons are able to communicate without particular difficulty in German in daily life will be sufficient.


In addition, members of the “guest worker” generation will no longer be required to take a citizenship test. The same applies to “contract workers” in the former GDR.

Will the reform overburden the naturalisation authorities?

The legislation to modernise Germany’s nationality law will allow foreign nationals to acquire German citizenship earlier and more easily. It is likely that the number of naturalisation applications will increase once the new legislation has entered into force.

In Germany, the nationality/naturalisation authorities of the federal states are responsible for processing applications for naturalisation.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community informed the federal states (and major naturalisation authorities) at an early stage about the planned reform to give them the opportunity to prepare for the envisaged changes and comment on the draft legislation. In addition, the Federal Government is supporting state and local governments in introducing electronic processes for naturalisation applications.