OVERVIEW
Applying for German Citizenship
Applying for German citizenship for those with a persecuted past can be intensely emotional so we hope that this section will help you to understand and navigate the process. Please be sure first to read our disclaimer and about our approach.
Disclaimer: Whilst for many years we have campaigned to correct the previously unfair exclusions from Article 116(2) of the German Basic Law, we are not German citizenship lawyers or experts in German citizenship law and we do not provide legal advice on German citizenship issues.
Our Approach: Part of the work for this new project involves making representations to the German government and related state organisations in respect of issues of concern relating to citizenship, including current application processing times, provision of updating information on applications, issues relating to how the current law is applied/interpreted etc. Our approach and ethos has always been to communicate constructively and with respect with the German authorities, and we will continue doing so.
Individuals or families with a persecuted past are likely to apply for citizenship under one of four ‘provisions’ (routes). These provisions refer to the article/section in the law from which they derive. Article 116 (2) of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) or StAG 15, StAG 14 or StAG 5 (Sections 15 , 14 or 5 from the Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz). Other pages on this website describe the eligibility for each in detail and provide examples but the table below provides a summary
| Pathway | For: |
|---|---|
| Article 116 | For former German citizens and their descendants who were actively deprvied of their German citizenship by the National Socialists between 1933 and 1945 on political, racial or religious grounds |
| StAG 15 | Naturalisation on grounds of restitution after persecution: For persons and their descendants who lost their German citizenship in some other way or who were never able to acquire it due to Nazi perseecution |
| StAG 14 | Facilitated (discretionary) naturalisation: for certain specific cases |
| StAG 5 | Acquisition of German citizenship by declaration |
Am I eligible? Should I engage a lawyer?
A frequently asked question is whether someone from a persecuted past is eligible to regain their German citizenship.
In most instances, the answer is relatively straightforward – there are cases where someone is either clearly eligible under the existing German citizenship law or clearly they are not. More information and examples on eligibility under each provision are provided on other pages on this website.
For the majority of cases therefore, it is not necessary to engage a lawyer to make an application. It is a process that most people should be able to navigate without requiring formal legal advice. There are occasions – particularly in the more complex cases – where engaging a citizenship lawyer could be warranted but from experience these cases are relatively few and far between.
Whilst there are many highly professional citizenship lawyers available, there is significant concern about a number of less reputable individuals and firms who are charging applicant’s excessive and/or unnecessary fees for making and assisting with citizenship applications. Also, there are lawyers who claim they can help but in reality they are not well informed on the issues relevant to applicants with a persecuted past.
Applicants can reach out directly to their closest German Embassy or Consulate with questions regarding their individual situation and this is free of cost.
Overview: Key steps for submitting an application
The following process should assist you with making an application. Each provision has different forms and criteria but the basic steps listed below are common to all. Note that you can also seek guidance direct from your local embassy/consulate.
Using the pages for each provision (Article 116, StAG 15, StAG 14 and StAG 5) determine whether you should be eligible for German citizenship and, if so, under which provision.
Complete the appropriate application form(s) relating to the applicable provision (by following the links on the pages for each provision or the resources page).
Obtain the list of required supporting documents. Please check what you will need for your specific case but the list is likely to include the documents in the table below. The resources listed here may help you in tracing and obtaining the required supporting documents.
Obtain contact details for your local embassy/consulate here.
Contact your embassy/consulate to arrange and attend an appointment to submit your application.
| Documents about you | Documents about your ancestors going back to and including the person who lost his/her German citizenship as a result of National Socialist persecution |
|---|---|
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