Dual Citizenship

Dual Citizenship For Germans and Austrians

If you are a German or Austrian citizen and plan to obtain U.S. citizenship, or another country’s citizenship, and you wish to keep your German or Austrian citizenship, you must first obtain a citizenship retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung), otherwise you will lose your German or Austrian citizenship upon becoming a U.S. citizen or citizen of another country.

To avoid loss of citizenship, a citizenship retention permit must be applied for before you become a citizen of another country (exception: you are applying for citizenship in a country within the EU or Switzerland). This permit, also known as “Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”, is a legal document issued by the German or Austrian authorities after a successful decision on your application.

Repatriation (“Wiedereinbürgerung”)

Even if you lost your German citizenship after 01/01/2000 because you missed to first obtain a citizenship retention permit, there is a good chance to get your lost citizenship back. Contact our expert attorney to have your situation evaluated.

German Naturalization of Jews and others (and their descendants), whose ancestors were persecuted by the Nazi regime

In the 1930s, the Nazi regime persecuted Jews, political and religious opponents and others, which led to their loss of German citizenship. Under Article 116 of the German Constitution (Art. 116 Grundgesetz) as well as under Section 15 of the German Citizenship Law, such victims and their descendants have a right to claim German citizenship, without residency in Germany.

If you are interested to learn more about whether you qualify, please contact us.

German Passport

Holding a German passport comes with many privileges. It is one of the most desirable passports to have. If you have any questions or need more information you can contact us or reach out to a German consulate or embassy near you (https://www.germany.info/us-en).

Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (Citizenship Retention Permit)

Lassen sich Deutsche / Österreicher in einem anderen Staat einbürgern, verlieren sie ihre deutsche / österreiische Staatsbürgerschaft, es sei denn es wurde ihnen vorher eine Beibehaltungsgenehmigung erteilt (Ausnahme: sie lassen sich in einem EU-Staat oder in der Schweiz einbürgern).

To help bring to view select and otherwise legally complex issues in an easy-to-read format, we regularly publish pertinent newsletters for our clients and interested parties. You can read (and download) from the following selection (English + German).
Newsletters – English:
MSPL_Newsletter_GermanCitizenshipRetentionPermit
MSPL_Newsletter_DualCitizenship
Newsletters – German:
MSPL_Newsletter_Beibehaltungsgenehmigung
MSPL_Newsletter_Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft

Die Genehmigung zur Beibehaltung der Staatsbürgerschaft ist eine Urkunde, die es Ihnen ermöglicht, eine andere Staatsbürgerschaft anzunehmen, ohne dabei Ihre deutsche oder österreichische aufgeben zu müssen. Unsere erfahrenen Rechtsanwälte helfen Ihnen gerne.

Wiedereinbürgerung (Repatriation)

Auch wenn Sie es versäumt haben, vor dem Erwerb einer anderen Staatsbürgerschaft eine Beibehaltungsgenehmigung zu beantragen, besteht dennoch die Möglichkeit, die deutsche oder österreichische Staatsbürgerschaft wieder zu erlangen. Fragen Sie uns, ob dies bei Ihnen zutrifft.

Dual Citizenship