The way it works in Austria, another country that only allows single citizenship is as follows. You apply for Austrian citizenship while you still have your or

The way it works in Austria, another country that only allows single citizenship is as follows. You apply for Austrian citizenship while you still have your original citizenship. Austrian authorities decide whether or not you should receive citizenship, *but do not grant it to you* Instead they give you documents that basically say that you have an entitlement to Austrian citizenship the second you renounce all other citizenships, if possible. There are exceptions for some, none cooperative nations. So if you are a US citizen you would basically have a document that says you are an Austrian citizen the second you renounce your American one. I imagine the Germany handles it similarly