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 […]

The Beibehaltungsgenehmigung, or retention permit, was an official document that German citizens were required to obtain if they wished to acquire a non-European Union citizenship without losing their German nationality. Without this permit, acquiring another […]