Until now, German citizens lost their German citizenship when they accepted another citizenship (such as through US naturalization). Since 2000, however, it has been possible to apply for an advance “retention approval” (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) in advance from the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt). For that, one must prove strong ties to Germany and show a need for dual citizenship.
This is now changing with the new Law to Modernize Nationality Law (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts, StARModG), which was passed by the Bundestag on January 19, 2024 and will enter into force on June 26, 2024. This means that after June 26, a retention approval is no longer necessary.
This makes life easier for German “expats” in the USA, who can now apply for US citizenship without this formality of retention approval. In the past, the retention process took about a year, and then there was the U.S. naturalization process, which also took about a year.
With this new law, multiple nationalities will be generally accepted in the future.
From the perspective of the professional recruiters at TH Bender & Partners, the leading German-American personnel consultancy, this new law is of great importance for many Germans working in the USA. It not only shortens the time it takes for German citizens to obtain U.S. citizenship, it also facilitates professional activities that de facto require U.S. citizenship. This is generally the case for government and public administration positions. See Executive Order 11935. This is also de facto the case for intelligence activities and other controlled activities such as those falling under the “International Traffic in Arms” (ITAR) regulations.
Further information is available on the website of the German Bundestag: https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2024/kw03-de-staatsangehoerigkeitsrecht-986286