Restoring German Citizenship After Brexit – Can I Keep My British Citizenship?

BY Sara Leshem

In a nutshell – Yes.

Keeping British Citizenship When Restoring German Citizenship after Brexit

Restoring German citizenship under Article 116(2) GG is independent of Brexit-related laws. Those eligible can apply without fear of having to surrender their British citizenship or having to meet any approaching deadlines.

On 31.12.2020 at precisely 23.00h, amidst a global pandemic and with most of the country in tight lockdown, the UK formally split from the EU. After years of agonising Brexit talk, a new era for the UK began. The contentious 2016 vote to leave the European Union was actioned.

Not surprisingly, the Prime Minister announced it was the “cakiest treaty”, but many are yet to be convinced. Despite bold proclamations that “we have completed the biggest trade deal yet between the UK and the EU”, businesses have a copious amount of red tape to navigate. UK citizens have serious adjustments of their own to navigate. Details are emerging as to how Brexit will affect travel and customs declarations, work permits, border checks, transfer of animals, plants etc. What is certain is the imminent disappearance of the burgundy British/EU passport, set to be crudely replaced by a blue, star-free British passport. For almost half of UK voters, it’s a painful symbol of a decision to leave the EU which they didn’t support.

Why Lose EU Privileges If You Can Retain Them?

Now more than ever, if you are eligible, restoring German citizenship and securing EU privileges is desirable for many reasons:

German citizenship provides access to the entire EU, not only Germany
Visa-free travel in the EU and other significant territories
Ability to work for any period of time in the EU, regardless of whether employed by a UK or EU-based employer (UK citizens are now limited)
Access to overseas higher education
Health care benefits
Access to excellent consular services
Right to property ownership
Fast-track through customs

How Do I Determine My Eligibility?

Let German Citizenship Restoration help. If you have former German ancestors but are unsure whether you are eligible, contact us for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Share your background and any supporting documentary evidence and we’ll evaluate your chances of a successful petition, particularly if you are exploring German citizenship by descent through your family.

If key supporting evidence is lacking or inconclusive, our research service in Germany’s state and national archives is available to investigate your ancestor’s former citizenship.

Once your eligibility to proceed to the petition stage has been confirmed, German Citizenship Restoration will manage, advise and assist in the preparation of all official documents and carry out thorough checks before submitting your application to the authorities in Germany.

Our expertise lies in meeting the German authorities’ exact requirements. By the time a client’s petition is presented to the Bundesverwaltungsamt, the evidence is watertight and there are no grounds to deny or delay their application. We do not proceed to petition stage unless we are 100% confident of a positive outcome.