Updated April 2025

The German Statistics Authority or Statistisches Bundesamt (website in German and English) and statista.com have released their latest 2023 population figures:

There are around 1.2 million British citizens living in the European Union. 

As far as UK citizen numbers in Germany are concerned, there is often confusion and misquoting because it depends if dual German/British citizens are included, or not.  In fact, there is no reason not to include them as they hold British citizenship like all other British citizens.

So, if you google the number of British citizens living in Germany or look it up on the German Statistical website, you see that as of end of December 2023 there are 66,101 UK citizens registered in Germany.

But this figure is misleading, as it only refers to UK citizens that don’t hold dual German citizenship, as the German statistics agency, destatis, counts dual British/German nationals in Germany as German, which they are, but also equally British.

Therefore British in Germany estimate there are over 180,000 British citizens registered as living in Germany as of 2023,  including the children of British nationals and the 80,000 + British/German dual nationals.

Since the Brexit referendum in June 2016, over 60,000 British nationals have been granted German citizenship and over 80,000 British citizens in Germany are now dual German/British citizens according to the latest published German statistics.  (available also in English)

*Note, prior to 2014 around 25,000 British citizens already had dual nationality.

In 2019, 14,600  Brits were granted German citizenship compared to only 622 naturalisations in 2015, illustrating the huge spike in applications as a direct result of the Brexit referendum. The annual numbers for British citizens receiving German citizenship from 2013 – 2023 make that spike very clear.  Since the new German citizenship law was passed in June 2024, an increase in British citizens receiving dual German/British nationality in 2024 & 2025 will again be evident.

Numbers for British citizens receiving German citizenhip 2013 – 2023:  2013 – 459 / 2014 – 459 / 2015 – 622 / 2016 – 2,865 / 2017 – 7,493 / 2018 – 6,640 / 2019 – 14,600 / 2020 – 4,930 / 2021 – 4,570 / 2022 – 2,315 / 2023 – 1,310 / 2024/5 – will show a spike upwards again due to the 2024 German Citizenship Law.

As the Brexit Migration Study by Auer/Tetlow says, these numbers represent an “unprecedented migration phenomenon in British German history” as well as a significant shift in social and citizen identity for around half of all British citizens living in Germany; “the implications of which are still being lived out and determined today”.

Application for dual citizenship for Brits was only possible until the end of the Withdrawal Agreement period, being December 31, 2020 after which British citizens, as non-EU citizens, had to give up their British citizenship to be granted German citizenship.   Since then the German Government have changed the law in June 2024 making dual citizenship much easier to attain.  Read more about the new law here.  

Read more about this unprecedented phenomena of British citizens becoming German on the Deutsche Welle website.

Fuurther reading on the impact of Brexit on UK to EU migration and on British lives in Germany:  ‘Brexit, Uncertainty and Migration Decisions’.  Co-Authored by Dr Daniel Auer & Daniel Tetlow

British and International media reports:

https://www.lbc.co.uk/hot-topics/brexit/migration-out-of-uk-to-eu-increased-30-since-brexit/

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/citizens-in-brexit-britain-clamour-for-german-passports-study-shows-1.4321864

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/26/number-britons-going-to-europe-at-10-year-high

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/researchers-say-uk-faces-a-brexit-brain-drain-to-the-eu/2020/08/04/de56b1e6-d64c-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/03/britons-applying-for-german-citizenship-up-2300-last-year

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/auf-wiedersehn-brexit-surge-in-britons-moving-to-germany-55jxt2kzs

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/thousands-settle-brexit-doubts-by-becoming-german-swkxlb5f7

On 27 June 2024, the changes to the German Citizenship Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz – (here in German) came into force.

The bottom line for British citizens living in Germany is that the updated law reduces the length of time needed to qualify for German citizenship from 6 or 8 years to 5 or even 3 years for those who are especially well-integrated into German society.

And Germany’s restrictions on holding multiple citizenships are being removed completely.   This allows many thousands of foreign nationals resident in Germany to keep their original nationality while becoming German. So Brits who could not apply for German citizenship before the end of the Brexit transition period are also now able to become dual citizens. 

So big changes, but where to start?

To see whether you might qualify for citizenship, you could try the “Quick Check“ provided by the German government.  That website also has information about applying. 

This has been updated to reflect the changes to the law and gives you an initial idea of whether or not you would currently qualify for citizenship.  But remember how decisions are made does vary from office to office and state to state. 

Although the same law applies across Germany the decentralised federal structure means that each individual state is responsible for how the law is implemented. So things like how you can apply, exactly what documents will be requested, and how particular cases are decided may vary from one city, town or district to another.

So note that this article is intended as general information only and it’s worth being across the federal and local guidance documents that authorities will publish once the law has changed.  You’ll find those at the citizenship or naturalisation offices in your local area or you could consult a local immigration advice service  (Migrationsberatung).

Generally speaking here are the key things to be aware of.

Main eligibility requirements

• documented identity and nationality
• legally resident in Germany for at least 3 and in most cases 5 years
• permanent right of residence
• able to make a living for yourself and your dependent family members (not receiving certain government benefits e.g Bürgergeld)
• no criminal record
• a  sufficient knowledge of German (B1)
• basic civic knowledge as shown by Einbürgerungstest
• committed to the free democratic constitution of Germany
• able to fit into German living conditions

What documents do I need?

Your local naturalisation office will tell you exactly which documents they need from you. This will vary depending on your individual circumstances.  For instance, if it’s clear you speak fluent German you may not have to do the German test.  Some of the things that you may be asked for include:

• Passport
• Birth, marriage certificates etc.
• Your residence title (e.g. Aufenthaltsdokument-GB card)
• Language test certificate (B1 or above)
• Citizenship test certificate
• if you rent: tenancy agreement, evidence of how much rent you pay, confirmation from your landlord that you are not in rent arrears.
• if you live in your own property: copy of the Grundbuch (title deed), evidence of mortgage payments and payments to your building’s management company where applicable.
• if employed: employment contract, last three payslips, written confirmation from your employer that you are still employed.
• if you are freelancer: evidence of your earnings (e.g. a BWA from your accountant)
• evidence of your spouse’s income or e.g. child support payments, if applicable.

If, for any reason, you are told that you are not eligible to apply for German citizenship, it is worth getting the office to give you a written statement explaining why. You can use that to clarify and, if relevant, to try again or to challenge the logic.

Can I apply online?

Some areas of Germany have introduced online application forms. We know this includes Berlin, Hamburg and all of Bavaria, but undoubtedly there are other towns and states where we don’t have the feedback.  The online application form will guide you through what documents you need to upload.

In other areas of Germany citizenship applications may still need to be submitted on paper. Where this is the case, your local citizenship office may ask you to attend an initial consultation meeting. At this meeting they will probably do an initial check of whether you are likely to meet the requirements for citizenship. They will also tell you exactly what documents you should submit and give you an application form to take away to complete.

Why get German citizenship?

Some of the advantages:

• Right to vote in Germany
• Full EU citizenship and freedom of movement rights in EU
• Right to stand as a candidate in elections in Germany

More information locally and nationally

Go to this page on our site for a list of links related to naturalization and citizenship. It is not an exhaustive list, but it should help you find a starting point.  Let us know how you get on.  

Additional Information

Germany’s New Citizenship Law 

How to get a German Passport

After the 2021 Bundestag election, the socially-liberal Ampel coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to modernise Germany’s citizenship law, including ending the restrictions on dual citizenship.

On 19 January 2024 the reform received approval from the Bundestag by a margin of 382-234 votes. The new legislation is designed to simplify the naturalization process, attract skilled workers to address labour shortages, and foster a more inclusive society.

On 22 March 2024 President Steinmeier signed off on the ‘Law to Modernize Nationality Law’ (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts). It was published in the Bundesgesetzblatt on 26 March 2024 and will come into force on 27 June 2024.

The updated law reduces the length of time required to qualify for citizenship to five years, or three in the case of those who are especially well-integrated into German society. Children born in Germany will also automatically obtain citizenship if at least one parent has been a legal resident for five years.

Germany’s restrictions on holding multiple citizenships are being removed completely. Previously exemption to this was granted for example for EU citizens or to those unable to renounce their previous citizenship. UK citizens were able to benefit from this rule if they had submitted their application before the end of the Brexit transition period.

Now, Brits living in Germany who were not able to apply for German citizenship before Brexit will be able to join the tens of thousands who are already dual German-British citizens.

Becoming a German citizen has several benefits including the right to vote (or even stand for election), as well as having no restrictions on your residence. This would allow British citizens to move to the UK for several years, perhaps to care for relatives, without fear of not being allowed to return to Germany at a later date. German citizenship also means full freedom of movement in the EU, with the ability to live, work and study across Europe.

Here we answer some of the most common questions about these significant changes to Germany’s citizenship law:

What will the new law mean for me?
The new law removes the previous rules restricting dual or multiple citizenship.

If you are hoping to become a German citizen, under the new law Germany will not make you give up your previous citizenship(s). UK citizens will no longer be required to renounce their British citizenship as they have been since the end of the Brexit transition period.

Germans living in the UK will also be able to become British without losing their German citizenship or needing to apply for permission to keep it.

If you already have both German and UK citizenship then of course you will also be able to keep both.

Can I already apply for citizenship?
If you choose to apply now, it is likely that the new rules will be applied to your application as processing times are usually at least several months (and in many parts of Germany they are much longer).

I have already applied for German citizenship. Which version of the law will be used?
If you receive German citizenship after the new law comes into force, the new rules will apply to your application, regardless of the date of when you applied. Until the new law comes into force, the old rules continue to apply.

I am already at the end of the application process for German citizenship. I have received a Zusicherung and been told I now need to renounce my British citizenship before I can become a German citizen. What should I do?
You may wish to contact the local office who gave you the Zusicherung and ask if you can wait for the new law to come into force so that you can keep your British citizenship.

Will my future children be able to have both citizenships?
If you were born in the UK then your children will usually automatically be British at birth, even if they are born outside of the UK. If you were born outside of the UK, then the situation may be different. You can find out more information on the Citizens Advice website.

Under the new law here in Germany, if neither parent is German but they have been living in Germany legally for five years, a child will normally automatically acquire German citizenship at birth.

The so-called “Optionspflicht” (where some dual national children had to decide whether to keep their German citizenship or their other one at the age of 21) is being abolished entirely.

What about existing children?
You can include your underage children on your application for naturalisation.

I’ve already renounced my British citizenship, can I get it back?
It is possible to resume British nationality if you have previously renounced it. Unfortunately it is a costly process. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/renounce-british-nationality/resume-your-british-nationality

Do you have further questions or concerns?
Consider joining the British in Germany Facebook Group to connect directly and share experiences with others applying for German citizenship or those already going through the process.

More Information

THINKING ABOUT APPLYING FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP?

LINKS: STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL NATURALISATION AND CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION 

How to get a German Passport

Sources:
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/19/germanys-parliament-approves-easing-citizenship-laws
[2] https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-parliament-approves-easing-dual-citizenship/a-68030714
[3] https://se-legal.de/german-citizenship-bill-2023-what-you-need-to-know/?lang=en
[4] https://www.germany-visa.org/german-citizenship/benefits-and-responsibilities/

SOME POSITIVE NEWS: ALL US BRITS, HOWEVER LONG WE’VE LIVED OUTSIDE OF THE UK NOW HAVE THE LIFE LONG RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE UK

***LAST UPDATE – Since 16th January 2024, all British citizens living outside of the UK can vote. Don’t delay in registering. See here for all the details you’ll need.

** UPDATE The final run of secondary legislation took place in the Lords evening of 12th December and the date of Tuesday 16th January 2024 for that legislation to be active is now locked in.

Nov. 2023 we wrote…

As you may have heard in the news recently, draft secondary legislation to implement the Elections Act 2022 and re-enfranchise around 3 million overseas British electors was ‘laid’ before both UK Houses of Parliament on 23 October and published on 25 October 2023.

The draft statutory legislation (SI) has to go through a scrutiny process before both houses of parliament, but we expect that to be done and the SI to be ‘made or adopted before the end of the year and hopefully come into force by 16 January 2024 (this is the date proposed in the draft secondary legislation) More details on this here.

Very significantly, this will re-enfranchise around 3 million Brits living outside of the UK, many of whom had been dis-enfranchised due to the 15 year rule.

The Electoral Commission is already preparing for the registration of this large number of newly re-enfranchised British voters in their relevant constituencies. British in Europe has already been working on a secondary legislation advocacy project about the implementation of the changes since last year and will partner with the Electoral Commission on its awareness raising campaign. Generally, British in Europe and British in Germany e.V. plan to play an active role in getting word out to Brits across Europe, that they can vote again in the UK.

If you’d be interested in supporting that campaign in any way please get in touch at info(at)britishingermany.org

So many extra votes added to the current electorate could have a significant impact on forthcoming national elections and in strengthening the representation of British democracy.

The next UK General Election, the date of which will be decided by the present government, must take place latest by January 2025.

More positive news …….read here about the British High Court that EU citizens with pre-settled status will not lose their status if they do not apply for ‘settled status’. were 306,300 refusals, 133,000 withdrawn or void outcomes and 124,560 invalid outcomes in the same period, representing, combined, 9% of total outcomes.

British in Germany e.V. is run by volunteers all giving their time and their expertise for free. We therefore value your membership for 15 Euros a year, which goes towards expenses incurred in running the organisation. You can join here.