
Beibehaltungsgenehmigung

A Beibehaltungsgenehmigung ("Permission to Retain Citizenship") is a certificate issued by the German Federal Government in accordance with Section 25(2) of the Nationality Law.
A "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" (or BBG) allows a German citizen to acquire the citizenship of a specific foreign country without losing their German citizenship. Since 28 August 2007, a "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" has no longer been required when acquiring the citizenship of a European Union Member State or Switzerland.
Background.
German law is theoretically restrictive with regard to multiple citizenship. It is permitted only:
However, 61% of people who naturalised as German citizens in 2017 who applied for permission to retain their original citizenship(s) under the hardship exception, were successful in obtaining approval to do so, including more than 81% of new German citizens from the Americas.
German citizens who acquire the citizenship of any country outside the EU or Switzerland must first obtain a "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung"; otherwise, they will lose their German citizenship upon acquiring the foreign citizenship.
Procedure.
A "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" is not granted automatically to everyone who applies, but only on a discretionary basis depending on the applicant's circumstances. The individual's personal, family and professional situation and public reputation is considered when deciding whether to grant the "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung". A "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" may be issued if the acquisition of the foreign citizenship along with the retention of German citizenship is justified by the applicant's personal and public situation and there are no compelling reasons why the application should be refused. The German legal principle of avoidance of multiple citizenship must be taken into consideration during the authorities’ decision-making process.
Grounds.
The eligibility requirements for a "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" are set out in law:
For applicants whose habitual place of residence is not in Germany, the granting of a "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" depends primarily on whether the applicant's ties to Germany remain strong enough to justify holding dual citizenship. On the other hand, any compelling personal interests are less important to the decision.
Authority.
German citizens whose habitual place of residence is in Germany must apply to their local citizenship authority.
German citizens whose habitual place of residence is not in Germany must apply to their local German embassy or consulate, which will forward the application to the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.