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GERMAN CITIZENSHIP RESTORATION
SECURING EU FREEDOMS FOR GLOBAL CLIENTS
GERMAN CITIZENSHIP RESTORATION SPECIALISTS
We focus exclusively on the restoration of lost German citizenship for former German citizens or residents and their families worldwide.
This includes families deprived of their rights or forced to flee Germany due to Nazi religious or political persecution between 1933 and 1945, as well as individuals affected by discriminatory nationality laws that prevented them from acquiring German citizenship at birth.
Depending on your individual circumstances and family history, there are several legal routes through which German citizenship may now be restored or acquired.
GERMAN CITIZENSHIP LAW SPECIALISTS
Our specialist team has more than 25 years of experience in restoring German citizenship for individuals and families affected by historic injustice. This includes victims of Nazi persecution and their descendants, as well as those who did not acquire German citizenship at birth due to discriminatory laws previously in force.
Our experts will guide you through the process of applying for German citizenship, whether through descent, ancestry, or historic eligibility, and will handle your case with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism.
GERMAN CITIZENSHIP ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION ROUTES
Eligibility for German citizenship restoration depends on your family’s individual history and the circumstances in which German citizenship was lost or could not previously be acquired.
German law provides several routes through which eligible individuals and their descendants may acquire or restore German citizenship. The three principal routes supported by German Citizenship Restoration are Article 116(2) GG, Section 15 StAG and Section 5 StAG.
ARTICLE 116(2) GG
For former German citizens who were deprived of their citizenship due to Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945, and their descendants.
SECTION 15 STAG
For people affected by Nazi persecution who fall outside the requirements of Article 116, and their descendants.
SECTION 5 STAG
For people affected by historic gender discrimination in German nationality law, and their descendants.
Every family’s circumstances are different. If you’re unsure which route may apply to you, our specialist team can assess your family history and advise you on the most appropriate application route.
BENEFITS OF RESTORING GERMAN CITIZENSHIP
More than ever, restoring German citizenship is extremely desirable for a variety of reasons.
- Once German citizenship is successfully acquired, you will be afforded all rights and privileges any other German national enjoys.
- This opportunity is not limited to UK citizens following Brexit and is available to eligible individuals and families worldwide based on German ancestry.
- Subject to generational limitations under German law, German citizenship may be passed on to descendants born after citizenship has been restored. As a result, many families are able to secure full EU citizenship rights for future generations, including the right to live and work in Germany and throughout the European Union.
HOW TO APPLY FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP - QUICK GUIDE
There are many stages to follow when applying for German citizenship, including claims based on family lineage or historic eligibility – let us navigate this complex process for you.
- You provide German Citizenship Restoration with information and documentation, where available, on your German family history.
- We provide an initial informal assessment of your eligibility within a few days. If further research is required and you wish to proceed, this can be undertaken in Germany for a fee, with application costs agreed following a positive outcome.
- We initiate the application process.
- You receive German citizenship.
FAQs
Q.
How do I determine if I am eligible for German citizenship?
A.
Eligibility for German citizenship depends on your individual circumstances and family history, including when and why German citizenship was lost or denied and your relationship to the affected family member.
The first step is to establish the relevant facts about your family and determine which route to German citizenship may apply. GCR offers a free initial assessment to help establish whether you may be eligible and the appropriate route for your application.
Q.
HOW CAN GERMAN CITIZENSHIP BE RESTORED?
A.
There are several legal routes for restoring or acquiring German citizenship, depending on the circumstances of your family and how German citizenship was originally lost or withheld.
Applications may be made under Article 116(2) of the German Basic Law or Sections 5 or 15 of the German Nationality Act. GCR can assess your family history, identify the appropriate route and support you throughout the application process.
Q.
WHY SHOULD I APPLY FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP?
A.
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TESTIMONIALS
Peter K
USA
12/11/2025
Jacqueline Leighton
United States
29/07/2025
Giles H
United Kingdom
29/04/2025
GCR was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process of acquiring citizenship. They not only filed the paperwork, they made sure to keep me on top of the process and ensured I got the process finished quickly. Thanks for all of your help!