FAQ

  • Once you are a German citizen it is straightforward to apply for a passport and an identity card. However, you cannot apply until you are a citizen.

  • There have been several changes to German citizenship law over the last few years and a further amendment to the citizenship law is currently being considered.

    These legal changes, especially the far-reaching amendment to the Citizenship Act in 2021, combined with recent significant geopolitical events, have led to a very significant increase in the number of people applying for German citizenship. As a result, there are currently delays in applications for reinstatement of German citizenship being processed.

  • The § is a section sign (Paragrafenzeichen) often used in Germany and other parts of Europe to refer to a section of legal code. If a reference is made to more than one section a double sign is used. §§

  • No, you do not have to wait. You can apply at the same time or later if you wish. You can also be the first one in your family who applies.

  • Yes you can. Your claim derives directly from your ancestor, not from the generations in between.

    If your parent however lost eligibility before you were born, you may not be able to receive citizenship. In this case please seek guidance from the embassy/consulate.

  • The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) examines each application in its own right. Most likely, you will also be granted citizenship. However, it is possible that the BVA will request further documentation.

  • You may wish to book a course at a Goethe Institute. Or may may be able to find classes through your local authority. If your time is limited you may want to start with an app such as Duolingo.

  • Please contact your Embassy/Consulate and explain your family history. They should be able to best advise you.

  • The initial application is to receive German citizenship, not a passport. After receiving citizenship you can then apply for a passport at the Embassy/Consulate. Processing times for passport applications vary - please contact your Embassy/Consulate for further details.

  • This depends on a number of criteria including whether you are resident in Germany, another EU country or a non-EU country and whether you are registered to vote in Germany. See the following link for some guidance

    https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/en/europawahlen/2024/informationen-waehler/deutsche-im-ausland.html

  • Persons who originally acquired German citizenship under Basic Law Article 116 section 2 but then lost it or gave it up again when adopting another foreign citizenship may be naturalised upon application and regain German citizenship under § 13 of German Citizenship Law (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz [StAG], § 13 “Discretionary naturalisation of former Germans abroad“). 

    In order to satisfy this provision, the following cumulative conditions must be satisfied: 

    • The applicant has no previous criminal convictions.

    • The re-naturalisation of the applicant should be in the public interest.

    Due to the nature of naturalisation, the following circumstances regularly play a role when considering whether discretion is to be exercised: 

    • Is the applicant currently, in his existing country of residence able to support himself financially and without claiming any financial assistance from the state?

    • If the applicant was raised in a foreign country, an additional naturalisation exam (“Einbürgerungstest“) might also be required.

     With regard to the application, when exercising discretion, the authority may also take into account any additional factors of personal concern raised by an applicant, which they consider to be relevant and of advantage to their application