Germany’s New Coalition Confirms Dual Citizenship Law Will Stay
Germany’s incoming coalition government, led by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has confirmed that the country’s dual citizenship law will remain in place. The decision, outlined in an 11-page exploratory paper released by both parties, marks a significant policy shift for the CDU, which had previously campaigned to overturn the reform.
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The dual citizenship law, which took effect on June 24, 2024, was one of the most significant immigration changes in Germany’s recent history. It allows foreigners to retain their original nationality when acquiring German citizenship and permits Germans to keep their German passport when obtaining a new one. Additionally, the law reduced the standard residency requirement for citizenship from eight years to five, and to just three years for individuals demonstrating “exceptional integration.”
CDU’s U-Turn on Citizenship Reform
Before the election, the CDU had strongly opposed the reform, calling it a "citizenship devaluation law" and pledging to repeal it. However, the party's need to form a coalition with the SPD, which has long supported more inclusive citizenship policies, forced a reversal. “We remain committed to the citizenship reform,” the CDU-SPD agreement states, officially abandoning the CDU’s prior stance.
This policy shift is a major win for SPD negotiators, who fought to keep the reform in place. Many feared that a CDU-led government would quickly roll back dual nationality, making it harder for foreign residents to become German citizens. Instead, the law will remain unchanged, securing a path to citizenship for thousands of immigrants in Germany.
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A New Clause on Citizenship Revocation
While the CDU has conceded on dual nationality, the coalition agreement does introduce a controversial new provision: the possibility of stripping German citizenship from dual nationals who are involved in extremist activities. The document states that the government will “examine under constitutional law whether we can withdraw German citizenship from terror supporters, anti-Semites, and extremists who call for the abolition of the free and democratic basic order, if they have another nationality.”
This clause reflects the CDU’s ongoing focus on national security and signals a compromise between the two parties. However, legal experts suggest that enforcing such a policy could be complicated, as it raises constitutional concerns about statelessness and due process.
What This Means for Foreign Residents
For immigrants living in Germany, the coalition’s decision is a major relief. The ability to retain dual citizenship removes the difficult choice between nationality and opportunity, making naturalization a more attractive and accessible option. With the residency period now shortened, more people will qualify for German citizenship sooner, integrating into society while maintaining their cultural and legal ties to their home countries.
Despite previous political opposition, the CDU’s shift on this issue signals that Germany’s dual citizenship reform is here to stay. As coalition talks continue, the SPD’s success in securing this policy could set the tone for further progressive immigration measures in the future.
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