Pakistanis in Germany Allowed to Hold Dual Citizenship

The Government of Pakistan has approved dual citizenship for its nationals residing in Germany, allowing overseas Pakistanis to acquire German nationality without relinquishing their Pakistani citizenship.

The move is being widely described as the fulfillment of a long-standing demand of the Pakistani diaspora living in Germany and is expected to provide significant legal and social relief to the community.

According to the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment, this development has emerged following an extension of Pakistan’s national policy on dual citizenship under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951. As part of this policy expansion, Germany has now been added to the list of countries whose citizens are permitted to hold dual nationality with Pakistan. Officials clarified that the decision is not linked to any recent amendment in German law but is solely a policy decision taken by the Government of Pakistan.

A senior official at the Bureau stated that the approval was granted in view of the interests of Pakistanis residing in Germany. With this decision, Pakistanis who obtain German citizenship will be able to retain their Pakistani nationality, legal identity, and constitutional ties with Pakistan. As a result, they will continue to enjoy rights related to property ownership, inheritance, and other civic privileges in Pakistan.

Currently, Pakistan has formal dual citizenship arrangements with 21 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and several others.

Official sources estimate that more than 150,000 Pakistanis live in Germany, playing a vital role in sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, automotive manufacturing, research, and business. Community representatives believe the decision will provide long-term legal security, improved employment prospects, and greater economic stability for Pakistanis living in Germany.