Many people with a pending German naturalization application are uneasy right now. Following this autumn's election results, and amid a noticeably harder tone in the public debate on migration and citizenship, applicants are asking one pressing question: What happens to my application if the rules change before the authority decides? The concern is well-founded. [...]
The Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt) in Cologne is receiving more applications for restoration of German citizenship (Wiedergutmachungseinbürgerung) under Article 116(2) of the Basic Law than ever before. The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) is Germany's constitution. For most applicants, restoration is a deeply personal matter. It is tied to the fate of their own family and [...]
The B1 language certificate is the standard language requirement for naturalization in Germany — but it is not a requirement for every applicant. German law recognizes several categories of people for whom either a simplified language demonstration or no formal language test at all is required. These include people who completed part of their [...]
Germany has reformed its Military Service Law (Wehrpflichtgesetz – WPflG), which came into effect 1 January 2026. Recent media reports revealed a clause that had received little public attention thus far: German men between the ages of 17 and 45 require military approval if they want to leave Germany for extended stays abroad. Understandably, this [...]
Acquiring German citizenship is an important, often life-changing step. It opens up new rights — from voting to freedom of travel within the EU — and provides secure residence status. But anyone considering German citizenship faces a crucial question: How long does naturalization take after submitting the application? The short answer: expect at least [...]
For many foreign nationals residing in Germany, naturalization represents the culmination of years of building a life in the country. When a prior criminal conviction — even a relatively minor one resulting in a fine — threatens to derail that process, it can be both frustrating and deeply unsettling. At Schlun & Elseven, our citizenship [...]
In the naturalization process, the hearing (known in German administrative law as the Anhörung) is regularly a key procedural step. It gives applicants one final opportunity to present their perspective on the facts before a decision is reached, and to clear up any misunderstandings. In some cases, the authorities will have specific concerns that [...]
The recent decision by prominent figures, such as American actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal, to acquire French citizenship highlights a phenomenon of growing significance in today's political landscape: the deliberate diversification of citizenship in response to domestic political developments. While the Clooneys chose France, Germany is also emerging as an attractive destination [...]
In early December 2025, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno introduced a proposed bill called the "Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025” sparking international headlines and understandable questions from dual citizens. Senator Moreno's bill proposes eliminating dual citizenship in the United States, requiring current dual citizens to choose one nationality within a one-year period. It is an attention-grabbing [...]
In an increasingly interconnected, globalised world, the freedom to travel guaranteed by possessing a particular passport is of crucial importance for the mobility of its holders. The Henley Passport Index, which lists countries and territories regarding freedom to travel, shows a highly interesting development: the German passport is at the top of the current [...]