<P> German nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of German citizenship . The law is based on a mixture of the principles of jus sanguinis and jus soli . In other words, one usually acquires German citizenship if a parent is a German citizen, irrespective of place of birth, or by birth in Germany to parents with foreign nationality if certain requirements are fulfilled . Naturalisation is also possible for foreign nationals after six to eight years of legal residence in Germany . However, non-EU and non-Swiss citizens must usually renounce their old citizenship before being naturalised in Germany . Citizens of other EU countries and of Switzerland usually can keep their old citizenship . Some EU countries do not allow dual citizenship even with other EU countries . German citizens wanting to acquire a non-EU or non-Swiss citizenship and to maintain their German citizenship must apply for a permission (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) before acquiring the other citizenship, or they will automatically lose their German citizenship when they acquire the foreign citizenship . For details, see section "Dual citizenship ." </P> <P> A significant reform to the nationality law was passed by the Bundestag (the German parliament) in 1999, and came into force on 1 January 2000 . The reformed law makes it somewhat easier for foreigners resident in Germany on a long - term basis, and especially their children born in Germany, to acquire German citizenship . </P>

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