Multiple nationality: German rules and consequences in the country of origin

We explain the German rules on multiple nationality and distinguish them from the consequences requiring separate clarification in your previous home state. Since the 2024 reform, German naturalisation law has generally allowed this combination. That, however, only settles the German side of the question. Whether another nationality continues and what rights or obligations arise from it are determined by the other country concerned. Reliable planning therefore requires separate consideration of acquisition, documents and practical consequences.

Since 27 June 2024, applicants for naturalisation have generally no longer had to give up their previous nationality under German law. The former general principle of avoiding multiple nationality has been abolished. This applies not only to nationals of particular countries or people for whom obtaining release from their nationality is especially difficult. The former distinction between relinquishment as the rule and numerous exceptions is therefore no longer the right starting point for naturalisations today.

Likewise, acquiring another nationality on application has no longer, by itself, caused the loss of German nationality since that date. German permission to retain nationality is no longer required for this purpose. The change therefore affects both people becoming German and existing German nationals who are subsequently naturalised abroad. The Federal Foreign Office explains the reform and its application over time.

The reform does not exempt applicants from the other naturalisation requirements. Previous nationalities must still be stated correctly and established to the extent required. Multiple nationality is permitted; this does not make incorrect information about your identity or nationality irrelevant. Security checks, language requirements and the relevant route to acquisition also remain separate issues.

Each country generally determines for itself who holds its nationality and when it is acquired or lost. Germany can therefore decide that a foreign nationality does not prevent German naturalisation. It cannot, however, require the other country to continue granting its nationality after that naturalisation.

The law of the country of origin may follow various models. Naturalisation abroad may have no further consequences, require prior permission, trigger a notification obligation or lead to loss of nationality. Sometimes the rules differ depending on whether the additional nationality is acquired at birth or on application. Different provisions may also apply to minors and adults.

For separate advice on the law of your home state, we help organise the relevant facts: existing nationality, age, how it was acquired and the planned German acquisition by naturalisation. Without these details, the answer often remains too general. In complex family circumstances, the nationality of parents or a spouse may also be relevant.

Relevant points of contact include, in particular, the competent authorities or diplomatic missions of the other country and, where appropriate, lawyers with expertise in its law. As far as possible, you need specific official legal provisions, rather than simply statements on social media. Written information is helpful on whether permission is necessary, what deadline applies and what happens if a required declaration is not made.

We identify the questions that need answering for a clear separate assessment:

For people with protection status, contact with the authorities of their country of origin may raise additional questions. Before such contact, we assess protection interests; a general checklist does not replace that assessment. The status that still exists, the specific reason for contact and possible dangers are decisive. This issue is addressed separately under recognised refugees and people with other protection status.

The reform does not automatically restore every German nationality previously lost. Anyone who acquired a foreign nationality on application before it entered into force must have that earlier event examined under the law applicable at the time. This includes any exceptions that applied then and any permission to retain German nationality that was granted. Possession of a German passport today does not, by itself, conclusively resolve this historical question.

The dates of the foreign application and actual acquisition, the nationalities held at the time and any permissions granted are particularly important. A foreign passport may have been issued considerably later than the acquisition. Its issue date is therefore not always the relevant date. The foreign naturalisation certificate or official confirmation of the date of acquisition is more suitable evidence.

Before a new naturalisation application, we assess whether an earlier loss of German nationality was legally effective. Where it also involved loss of EU citizenship, a proportionality assessment omitted at the time may need to be carried out retrospectively. The article on determining an existing nationality explains the significance of this assessment and § 30 StAG. Only a loss that actually remains effective gives rise to the separate question of renaturalisation. The reform does not restore nationality across the board; any assessment that must be carried out retrospectively also requires an individual evaluation.

The former obligation to choose a nationality under German law was abolished on 27 June 2024. Young people who acquired several nationalities at birth therefore no longer have to choose one of them under that former German rule simply because they reach adulthood. We assess older letters concerning pending nationality-choice procedures against the reform.

This does not mean, however, that the same rules apply to all children worldwide. Another country may impose its own requirements for retaining, registering or documenting its nationality. Nor can nationality by descent be inferred in every country from a parent's nationality alone without further requirements. Every legal system involved must be examined.

For German children born abroad, the so-called generational cut-off under § 4(4) StAG may be important. Under certain conditions, an application to register the birth within one year is decisive. This issue concerns the child's acquisition of German nationality and must be distinguished from a later choice between several nationalities.

A dual national cannot simply choose to rely only on their other passport when dealing with a country whose nationality they hold. Many countries treat them primarily or exclusively as their own national within their territory. This can matter at border controls and in relation to registration obligations, civil status matters and obligations towards the state.

For travel, the other country of nationality may require use of its own passport. On the German side, German passport rules must also be observed. It may therefore be necessary to carry two documents. There is no contradiction in this: both countries classify the traveller under their respective laws. It is important that booking details and the different proofs of identity reliably match.

We distinguish possession of an existing passport from the legal continuation of nationality. If a country provides for the loss of its nationality upon naturalisation abroad, continued use of its passport may also be unlawful. Conversely, nationality may continue even though the corresponding passport has expired. Documents follow the status, but do not replace an assessment of it.

Germany can provide consular assistance to its nationals abroad. In a country whose nationality they also hold, however, the possibilities may be significantly restricted. That country's authorities may treat the person as their own national and limit access by German missions. The Federal Foreign Office highlights this difficulty particularly in cases involving the detention of people with multiple nationalities.

This does not mean that German nationality is worth less within Germany. The issue is the practical and legal scope for action in dealings with another sovereign state. An embassy cannot instruct that country's courts, guarantee release or replace local laws with German law.

For travel planning, we direct you to current country-specific travel and safety advice, especially information for dual nationals. A previous entry without problems is no assurance for every later trip. If specific proceedings are outstanding or military obligations exist, an individual assessment before travel is particularly important. The general scope of consular assistance is explained in the article on EU citizenship and consular protection.

Another nationality may give rise to military service obligations under foreign law. Whether service performed in another country is recognised, whether deferment is possible or whether an agreement applies depends on the specific combination of countries. There is no general rule that residence in Germany removes every foreign obligation.

§ 28 StAG must be considered separately. Under this provision, voluntarily joining the armed forces of another country whose nationality the person holds without the required consent may, in particular, lead to loss of German nationality. The law contains additional conditions and exceptions, particularly for minors and cases where statelessness would result. Compulsory conscription by a state is not automatically the same situation as a voluntary commitment.

Before voluntary military activity, we assess possible consequences for German nationality by examining the consent position and the unit's exact status. Permission to hold several nationalities is not blanket permission for every form of military activity. Equally, it would be wrong to describe every instance of military service abroad as automatically causing loss of nationality.

Two nationalities do not automatically mean that every item of income is taxed twice. German income tax is generally linked in particular to residence, habitual residence or certain domestic income. Other countries may provide additional connecting factors. Double taxation agreements and specific national rules must therefore be considered separately; the number of passports alone does not answer the tax question.

Property, inheritance and family law may also depend on nationality, habitual residence or the location of an asset. For property in your previous home state, we identify the need for separate local advice before any possible loss of nationality. Conversely, German naturalisation does not remove existing family obligations or debts.

We organise the nationality-law issues with you and identify which further questions about status, documents, duties and deadlines require clarification with the competent bodies. For life in Germany, people with multiple nationalities remain German nationals with the corresponding rights. The overview of completing naturalisation explains the practical steps after acquisition.

Anyone who uses only their German passport has not thereby automatically given up their other nationality. To relinquish it voluntarily, you first need to establish whether the other country provides a release or renunciation procedure and what evidence it requires of the German nationality already acquired. A German authority does not receive this declaration on the other country's behalf. We identify the need to clarify separately the effects on residence, work and property rights in the other state. No reliable general assurance can be given without examining the specific country's law.

If you wish to give up the other nationality voluntarily, its own procedural rules must therefore be examined. The required declaration, the competent body and the point when it takes legal effect are decisive. Any possible effects on minor children must also be clarified beforehand. We explain why the release or loss certificate needs permanent retention. It may later explain why older certificates state a different nationality from current registers. Where multiple nationality continues, we consider acquisition evidence from both states, especially for your children's nationality questions.