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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

If your ancestors lost German citizenship between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, due to Nazi-persecution on political, racial, or religious grounds, and you are not eligible for Citizenship Restoration under Article 116, then […]

If you or your ancestors lost German citizenship between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, on political, racial, or religious grounds, Article 116 of Germany’s Basic Law provides a pathway for restoration. This provision […]