Naturalization in Berlin: Which countries allow dual citizenship?

Globalization has fundamentally changed the world of work. For top international talent, highly qualified academics, and expats, relocating across national borders has long been part of career planning. Young professionals and established specialists coming to Germany often bring not only economic potential but also a family . In metropolitan areas like Berlin, HR departments and employers regularly face the challenge of retaining foreign talent long-term. A crucial milestone for this long-term integration is naturalization. For years, the question of whether this necessitates severing ties to the home country was a major obstacle in the global competition for top talent . However, since the comprehensive modernization of citizenship law, the situation has changed dramatically, opening up entirely new perspectives for corporate immigration, secondments , and the corresponding family reunification .

How has the legal situation regarding dual citizenship changed in Germany?

With the entry into force of the new Nationality Act in June 2024, the German legislature underwent a historic paradigm shift. Dual citizenship has since been generally permitted in Germany. Anyone wishing to acquire German citizenship no longer has to relinquish their previous citizenship under German law. This fundamental change is enshrined in Section 12 of the Nationality Act (StAG), which has largely abolished the previous requirement to avoid multiple citizenships. For our law firm, this means a considerable simplification in advising high-net-worth individuals, investors, and academic professionals . The statistical data from the Media Service Integration and the Federal Statistical Office impressively demonstrate the success of this reform. In 2024, approximately 292,000 people were naturalized in Germany – a record high. Well over 80 percent of those newly naturalized take advantage of the opportunity and retain their original passport . This leaves only a small fraction of the people who, according to the procedure, exclusively possess German citizenship.

Which countries allow dual citizenship for their citizens living abroad?

German legislation, however, is only one side of the coin. Whether dual citizenship can ultimately be granted depends largely on the laws of the country of origin. Many countries of origin allow the holder to retain their original citizenship when acquiring foreign citizenship, either without restrictions or under certain conditions. In Europe , this applies to the vast majority of countries. For example, someone from France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland, Romania, or Turkey can apply for a German passport without having to fear losing their original citizenship. Dual citizenship is also widespread outside of Europe . Major immigration and emigration countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most South American countries like Brazil and Argentina allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship. For HR departments involved in international recruiting, this represents a significant advantage when seeking to attract skilled workers from these regions to the German labor market for the long term.

In which countries does naturalization in Germany lead to the loss of one's original citizenship?

Caution is advised, however, if the skilled workers or students come from countries that strictly reject dual citizenship or impose extremely narrow exceptions. In these countries, acquiring German citizenship risks the automatic loss of their previous citizenship. In Asia, this affects economically significant countries such as China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Indonesia. Indian skilled workers or Japanese managers seeking German citizenship in Berlin , for example, lose their citizenship under the respective national laws. Even within Europe , there are exceptions, such as Austria, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Lithuania, which tolerate dual citizenship only in very specific circumstances. In our consulting practice, we frequently encounter situations where wealthy foreigners or highly qualified employees must carefully consider the legal and personal consequences of such a loss, particularly regarding property ownership, inheritance rights, or the possibility of future return, due to these restrictive policies of their home countries.

Conclusion: What should international professionals and employers consider now?

The liberalization of German citizenship law through the 2024 reform has significantly advanced Germany's position in the international competition for top talent. For highly qualified immigrants, expats, and their employers, the general acceptance of dual citizenship offers a historic opportunity for legal and emotional integration in Germany. However, our firm's legal practice demonstrates that the success of a naturalization process should never be considered in isolation. Since the regulations of countries of origin vary considerably and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to the automatic loss of previous citizenship, a precise, case-specific review of foreign law is essential before submitting an application in Berlin. We recommend that both companies and foreign professionals seek legal counsel early on regarding these complex issues of corporate immigration in order to fully leverage the advantages of global mobility.