According to the new law, children who are born in Germany to foreign nationals receive German citizenship when one of the respective child’s parents has resided lawfully in Germany for at least eight years and holds entitlement to residence, or has an unlimited residence permit for at least three years. Such children will have to decide within five years of turning 18 - before their 23rd birthday - whether they want to retain their German citizenship. They must opt for one of their two nationalities.