German Citizenship

GERMAN NATIONALITY

How do I get my German Citizenship?

You can obtain German nationality by:

  • Right of blood – born to a German parent
  • Descent – your parent was born to German parent(s)
  • Adoption – if you were legally adopted under the age of 18 by at least one German citizen on or after 1 January 1977, you are a German citizen. If the adoption took place outside Germany it has to meet certain requirements
  • Naturalisation – different time scales apply depending on the application type

Please note

  • For those born between 1949 and 1975 to a German (grand)mother or born out of wedlock, a 10 year window exists to claim nationality under gender discrimination laws.
  • If your family were denied German nationality on political or religious grounds there is another criteria to reinstate nationality.
German Citizenship

For more information, or to assess your situation, please contact us.