German President Approves Dual Citizenship Law

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has officially endorsed the country's new dual citizenship legislation, marking a significant milestone in its legislative journey. The Bundestag, Germany's federal parliament, passed the groundbreaking law in January, ushering in various changes, including streamlined naturalization processes for non-EU citizens residing in Germany.

Under the new law, non-EU citizens holding a German residence permit can pursue naturalization after just five years of residency, with exceptions for certain cases allowing for naturalization after three years, all without the requirement to renounce their original citizenship.

Typically, after passage by the Bundestag, a law must receive presidential approval before it can be enacted. While this process often takes around two weeks, in this instance, it extended to seven weeks. The signing of the law by President Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and senior ministers on March 22, 2024, as documented in the Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette), officially set the stage for its implementation.

Regarding the law's effective date, German law stipulates that once signed by the President, it automatically comes into force 14 days later. However, given the administrative adjustments required, a preparatory period of three months has been allocated to relevant authorities. Thus, it is anticipated that the law will take effect around June 22, 2024.

While this development marks a significant step forward, prospective applicants should be mindful of potential delays in the citizenship application process, which can vary greatly depending on the city. Ensuring eligibility and completeness of applications remains paramount to expedite processing times and secure citizenship status in a timely manner.