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Can You Have Both German and American Citizenship in 2025?

For a long time, Germans who wanted to become American had to make a difficult choice: give up their German passport or apply for a retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). But as of June 2024, that’s changed. Germany now officially allows dual citizenship without this special permission.

What Changed?

Germany’s reform of its Nationality Act (StAG), effective since June 27, 2024, removes the requirement to apply for a retention permit before acquiring another citizenship. This means German citizens can now naturalize in the U.S. without losing their German nationality, as long as they apply after this date. The change brings German law closer to other countries that already allow dual nationality.

What If You Are Already Naturalized?

If you became a U.S. citizen before June 27, 2024 and didn’t have a retention permit, you likely lost your German citizenship under the old rules. The new law does not apply retroactively, but in most cases, you may be eligible for simplified re-naturalization under Section 15 StAG if you can demonstrate close ties to Germany, amongst other requirements. 

What About Americans Becoming German?

Thanks to the reform, Americans can now apply for German citizenship and keep their U.S. passport. This is particularly relevant for long-term U.S. residents in Germany who meet the naturalization requirements (e.g. residency, language, integration).

Conclusion

In 2025, dual citizenship between Germany and the U.S. is not only possible-it’s now the norm for new applicants. But if you naturalized earlier or have questions about your eligibility, it’s smart to get legal advice tailored to your specific situation.