If children acquire more than one citizenship at birth (e.g. through a German mother and a Canadian father or by being born in Canada to German parents), they will not have to decide for either citizenship.

As an example:

German citizens Daniela und Peter came to Canada in 1995. Their son Justin was born in Toronto 1998. Daniela and Peter were both permanent residents in Canada when Justin was born. Justin received the German nationality through descent from German parents, and the Canadian citizenship through birth on Canadian territory. He will remain German-Canadian citizen for life, unless he (or his parental guardian(s), while he is still a minor) decides to actively change his citizenship.

Please note that children born outside of Germany do not automatically acquire German nationality by birth if their German parent(s) were themselves born abroad after January 1st, 2000 - unless their parents register the birth with the German competent consulate before the child’s first birthday.

Until June 27, 2024:

A German citizen who voluntarily acquired a foreign citizenship did not lose their German citizenship if they received official permission to retain German citizenship (so-called “Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”) before acquiring said foreign citizenship.

Anyone applying for German citizenship will generally be required to give up their other citizenship(s). There are exceptions to this rule if the applicant is a citizens of another EU-member state or Switzerland or if the applicant has a German parent as well as in cases of restoration of German citizenship according to art. 116 of the Basic Law.

More Information on naturalization can be found here: naturalization