Did You Lose Your German Citizenship Due to Extended Residence Abroad? Reclaiming Your Nationality May Be Possible
Historically, German citizens who resided outside of Germany for more than ten years without registering with a German consulate risked automatic loss of their citizenship. This regulation, in effect before 1914, affected many emigrants and […]
German Citizenship for Children of German Mothers Married Before 1953
Historically, German women who married foreign nationals before April 1, 1953, automatically lost their German citizenship, which also affected their children’s eligibility for German nationality. However, legislative changes effective since August 20, 2021, now allow […]
German Citizenship for Children Born Out of Wedlock Before 1993
Historically, German citizenship laws favored maternal lineage in cases of children born out of wedlock, preventing many children born before July 1, 1993, to German fathers and foreign mothers from acquiring German nationality at birth. […]
German Citizenship for Children of German Mothers Born Before 1975
Historically, German citizenship laws favored paternal lineage, preventing children born before January 1, 1975, to German mothers and foreign fathers from acquiring German nationality at birth. However, legislative changes effective since August 20, 2021, now […]
Reclaiming German Citizenship Without a Retention Permit
Prior to June 27, 2024, German citizens who wished to acquire another nationality were required to obtain a retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) to maintain their German citizenship. Without this permit, acquiring another citizenship resulted in the […]