Germany Expands Citizenship Eligibility Through Declaration

Germany has announced that four specific groups are now eligible to obtain German citizenship through a simple declaration, following the Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act, which took effect on August 20, 2021. This law, as outlined by the German Federal Foreign Office, establishes a ten-year window under Section 5 of the Nationality Act.

The eligible groups include: 1) Children born after May 23, 1949, to a German parent who did not pass on German nationality at birth; 2) Children born to a mother who lost her German citizenship by marrying a foreigner before April 1, 1953; 3) Children who lost German nationality acquired at birth through legitimization by a foreigner before April 1, 1953; and 4) Descendants of individuals in the first three groups. The process does not require naturalization but involves a formal declaration to the relevant citizenship authority.

Individuals residing outside Germany can submit their declaration to the Federal Office of Administration or the nearest German diplomatic mission.