In short, German citizenship by descent is only applicable for direct descendants, with exceptions allowed for victims of the Nazi regime. Due to a history of occupation and displacement, German nationality law is complex and has evolved over the decades following World War II.
Keep reading to learn what qualifies a child for German citizenship through ancestry, as well as the conditions that apply for children of people stripped of citizenship during Nazi occupation.
German Citizenship by Direct Descent
A child can only claim descent-based citizenship if one or both parents is or was a German parent. Furthermore, German law does not allow for citizenship by descent if citizenship has skipped a generation.
So, if a child’s parent(s) held German citizenship, they must not have lost their certificate of German nationality prior to the child’s birth. Otherwise, the child cannot apply for citizenship by descent.
Exceptions for Victims of the Nazi Regime
German nationality law is nuanced, and many descendants wonder whether distant ancestors — such as grandparents or great-grandparents — qualify them or their children for dual citizenship. Because of Germany’s history during the war, many political objectors, religious and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals were persecuted from 1933–1945, which included the loss of their German passports and certificate of nationality.
Following WWII, Germany established ways of reclaiming citizenship for these individuals, although they faced documentation issues for years. Article 116 (2) of the German Basic Law states that individuals who were deprived of citizenship on political, racial, or religious grounds have a right to naturalization. This stipulation has been around since 1949.
But as of August 20, 2021, amendments to the law extended citizenship reclamation to descendants of people persecuted during World War II. The Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act entitles such individuals to naturalization on the basis of reparations and Germany’s effort to acknowledge past injustices.
This means that a child can seek German citizenship through ancestry beyond direct descent if an ancestor was affected by wartime citizenship deprivation.
Conditions of the Nazi-Era Citizenship Deprivation Exception
To qualify for the exception in Article 116, note that the German ancestor in question must have been stripped of citizenship between 1933 and 1945 due to persecution laws. If you or the ancestor resided in Germany after 1945, then there is automatic restoration of citizenship.
Applicants must present proper foreign documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of family relationship or family tree linking them to the German ancestor. The Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt) reviews these claims carefully before allowing applicants to proceed.
Applying for German Citizenship by Descent
Both residents of Germany and those living abroad can apply for lineage citizenship if they meet the eligibility criteria. You must submit:
- Proof of descent from your relevant German ancestor
- Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Valid identification and proof of residence
- A certificate of nationality or proof that your ancestor held German passports
- Translations of any foreign documents into the German language
The application process typically requires completing an application form, submitting it to the Federal Office of Administration, and awaiting a review. Depending on your documentation issues or family relationship, officials may respond with requests for clarification before the proceeding continues.If approved, you’ll receive your certificate of German nationality, confirming your connection to Germany and your right to obtain a passport.
If you believe your child may be eligible to apply for German citizenship by descent through you or a more distant ancestor, see if you qualify today. We provide reports on citizenship eligibility in countries across the EU. Check out our EU Citizenship blog to learn more about German ancestry, foreign parents, and citizenship application processes across Europe.