Germany now permits dual citizenship following a landmark legal reform in 2024. This is a major development for Indian nationals who previously had to give up their Indian passport to become German citizens.
The Key Change: Dual Citizenship Is Now Allowed
Before 2024, naturalisation in Germany almost always required giving up your original citizenship. Indian nationals who had built their lives here faced a difficult choice. The new law removes this barrier — you can now hold both an Indian and German passport.
Reduced Residency Requirement
The standard residency requirement for naturalisation remains 8 years, but it can be reduced to 5 years for applicants with "special integration achievements" — which includes volunteering, professional achievements, or exceptional language skills.
What You Still Need
You must demonstrate B1 German language proficiency, financial self-sufficiency (no Bürgergeld/social welfare), a clean criminal record, and successful completion of a citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest). The test covers German history, law, and society.