FAQs
Q.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP RESTORATION?
A.
Individuals and families may be eligible for German citizenship restoration, including claims for German citizenship by descent, if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Former German citizens who were deprived of their German citizenship between 30 January 1933 and 8 May 1945 for political, racial, or religious reasons. This eligibility also extends to their descendants.
- Individuals who were not German citizens but had their habitual residence in Germany before 1 January 1933 and were forced to leave Germany due to racial or religious persecution after that date. Their descendants may also be eligible.
- Descendants of German citizens who did not acquire German citizenship at birth due to discriminatory laws previously in force, for example where citizenship could not be passed on by a German mother married to a non-German father. This eligibility may also extend to subsequent generations.
Q.
IS ANYONE WHO WAS BORN IN GERMANY CONSIDERED A GERMAN CITIZEN?
A.
No. Unlike some countries, German citizenship has historically been based on descent rather than place of birth. Until the year 2000, German law operated almost exclusively under the principle of jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent), meaning that German citizenship by birth was not automatically granted simply because someone was born in Germany.
Until the year 2000, German citizenship could generally only be acquired through a German parent, not simply by being born in Germany. As a result, many individuals born in Germany were not automatically granted German citizenship.
Although the law was partially amended in 2000 to allow certain children born in Germany to acquire citizenship, these changes only apply to those born after that date and are therefore unlikely to be relevant to you or your family.
Once we have reviewed the facts of your case, we can determine whether German citizenship existed within your family line and whether you may be eligible to restore or acquire German citizenship.
Q.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DEPRIVED OF GERMAN CITIZENSHIP FOR POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR RACIAL REASONS?
A.
A person is considered to have been deprived of German citizenship for political, religious, or racial reasons if their citizenship was revoked under discriminatory laws enacted during the Nazi regime.
This includes, in particular, German Jews who lost their citizenship under the Reich Citizenship Law of 25 November 1941, which stripped citizenship from Jewish citizens who were living abroad at the time or who left Germany thereafter. It also applies to individuals whose citizenship was revoked on an individual basis under earlier Nazi legislation, such as the Law on the Revocation of Naturalizations and the Deprivation of Citizenship of 14 July 1933.
Importantly, modern German law now provides legal pathways for restoring German citizenship to victims of Nazi persecution and their descendants as well as other groups. In addition, restoration routes may apply to descendants of former German residents who never held citizenship, or to those who did not acquire German citizenship at birth due to discriminatory laws previously in force.
If you are unsure how these rules apply to your family history, we recommend contacting us for an individual eligibility assessment.
Q.
HOW DOES ONE CLAIM THE RIGHT TO RESTORATION OF GERMAN CITIZENSHIP?
A.
The restoration of German citizenship is not automatic. Eligible individuals must submit a formal application to the German authorities in order to have their citizenship restored.
This requirement applies both to those who were directly affected by the loss of German citizenship and to their descendants. Each application must be supported by appropriate evidence demonstrating eligibility under the relevant legal provisions.
Once eligibility has been assessed, the application is prepared and submitted to the competent German authority for review and decision.
Q.
WHAT IF I HAVE APPLIED FOR ANOTHER COUNTRY’S CITIZENSHIP IN THE MEANTIME?
A.
In many cases, acquiring another nationality does not prevent the restoration of German citizenship.
Individuals who became citizens of another country after being deprived of German citizenship for political, religious, or racial reasons may still be eligible for restoration. This eligibility also extends to their descendants.
However, if a person acquired another nationality before their German citizenship was revoked, restoration under these provisions is generally not possible.
As each case depends on timing and individual circumstances, a review of your family history is required to determine eligibility.
Q.
WHICH DESCENDANTS ARE ENTITLED TO RESTORATION OF GERMAN CITIZENSHIP?
A.
Descendants of individuals who were deprived of German citizenship or forced to leave Germany during Nazi persecution – including those claiming German citizenship through parents or grandparents – may be entitled to restoration of German citizenship.
Eligibility depends on whether, under German law, the descendant would have been considered a German citizen or resident had the deprivation or forced departure not occurred. In other words, the authorities assess what the individual’s legal status would have been if discriminatory measures had not been applied.
By conducting a thorough analysis of your family history, it is possible to determine whether you or your descendants meet the legal criteria for restoration of German citizenship.
Q.
WHAT EVIDENCE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION FOR RESTORATION OF CITIZENSHIP?
A.
The evidence required depends on the legal route under which the application is made. In all cases, documentation must establish eligibility and demonstrate the family connection to the affected individual.
For applications under Article 116 (2) of the German Basic Law, evidence typically includes documents that:
- prove that you or your ancestor held German citizenship before it was revoked between 1933 and 1945
- show that another nationality was acquired only after the loss of German citizenship
- establish the family relationship between you and the former German citizen, such as birth and marriage certificates
For applications under Section 15 of the German Nationality Act, evidence is required to demonstrate that:
- you or your ancestor had their habitual residence in Germany before January 1933
- this residence was given up as a result of persecution
As every case is different, the specific documentation required will depend on individual family circumstances and the applicable legal pathway.
Q.
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A NECESSARY DOCUMENT?
A.
Missing documents do not automatically prevent a successful application.
Where required, we can carry out targeted research on your behalf to obtain the necessary records from relevant state and federal archives in Germany. This may include locating proof of citizenship, residence, persecution, or family relationships that is no longer in the family’s possession.
If additional research is needed, this will be discussed with you in advance so you understand what can be obtained and how the process works