StAG-Reform 2024: what really changes for those seeking Einbürgerung (naturalization).

Around 22 months have passed since the Act to Modernise the Law on Nationality (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts, StARModG) entered into force on 27 June 2024. During this period, the legislature has adopted two further reform acts that have significantly changed the picture: the Sixth Act Amending the Nationality Act (Sechstes Gesetz zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes) of October 2025 and Article 3 of the Safe Countries of Origin Act (Sicherer-Herkunftsstaaten-Gesetz) of December 2025. A systematic overview of the reforms — without any assessment, with references to sources.

2024 reform: acceptance of multiple citizenship and reduction to five years

The StARModG of 22 March 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 104), in force since 27 June 2024, set three central levers in motion: reduction of the regular prior period of residence from eight to five years (§ 10 Absatz 1 StAG), general acceptance of multiple citizenship (abandonment of the previous single-citizenship rule), as well as the introduction of an accelerated three-year track for special integration achievements (§ 10 Absatz 3 a.F.).

Sixth Amending Act 2025: three-year track removed

With the Sixth Act Amending the Nationality Act — adopted by the Bundestag on 8 October 2025 (BT-Drucksachen 21/537, 21/1373, 21/1634), promulgated on 27 October 2025 and published in the Federal Law Gazette on 29 October 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256) — the three-year track of § 10 Absatz 3 a.F. was removed without replacement as of 30 October 2025. The Bundesrat raised no objection on 17 October 2025 (BR-Drucksache 545/25). The five-year rule of § 10 Absatz 1 and the acceptance of multiple citizenship continue to apply unchanged.

A constitutional complaint against the removal was dismissed by the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) by decision of 19 December 2025 (Aktenzeichen 2 BvR 1792/25); the chamber referred any protection of legitimate expectations to the discretion of the naturalization authorities under § 8 StAG. For applications submitted before 30 October 2025, the transitional provision of § 40a StAG applies.

New § 35a StAG: ten-year blocking period since December 2025

Through Article 3 of the Safe Countries of Origin Act (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 364 of 22 December 2025), in force since 24 December 2025, a new blocking provision has been inserted into the StAG: § 35a sets out a ten-year blocking period following the loss of or renunciation of German citizenship. An editorial correction in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 49 of 27 February 2026) added the element „intentional“ („vorsätzlich“) to the wording — the substantive scope of the provision is thereby specified as covering intentional conduct.

What remains unchanged

The central facilitations of the 2024 reform — the five-year rule and the acceptance of multiple citizenship — remain in place. The remaining elements of § 10 StAG (secured means of subsistence, proof of language proficiency, naturalization test, commitment to the free democratic basic order) have not been altered by any of the three reform acts. The competent naturalization authority decides on the application in the individual case — including any transitional cases under § 40a.

You can find the full overview of the 2024 reform and the requirements that continue to apply on the overview page Naturalization in Germany. The acceptance of multiple citizenship is covered separately; the Nationality Act is accessible as a systematic hub with an overview of the paragraphs. On the new blocking period under § 35a, see Blocking period under § 35a StAG.