Complete FAQs Guide: Gaining German Citizenship Through Ancestry

Yes. You can apply from abroad for German citizenship through ancestry by directing your application through the German Consulate or the German Embassy in your jurisdiction.

Yes. The 2024 Act to Modernize Nationality Law in Germany made it possible for German nationals to apply for citizenship outside of Germany without relinquishing their German citizenship.

The legislation also made it possible for individuals who are expats of their countries and have been living in Germany for at least five years (from June 27, 2024) to get German dual citizenship through naturalization. The update reduced the residency requirement, which was previously eight years. This aligns Germany’s practices more closely with other European Union member states.

German law stipulates that you can acquire citizenship by direct descent, only if at least one parent is or was a German citizen. The exception for more distant German ancestors is in the case of descendants of victims of Nazi-era citizenship deprivation, as outlined in Article 116 (1) of the German Constitution.

Under the provisions of restoration of citizenship for Nazi-era victims and their descendants, there is no requirement for German language proficiency. However, those acquiring German citizenship through regular descent-based routes may benefit from basic knowledge of the language to ease administrative communication

When applying for citizenship, applicants must provide the following, along with the application fee and receipt of payment:
A completed citizenship application form

– Proof of German ancestry in the form of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other official documents

– A valid passport or national ID

– A criminal record certificate

Foreign documents must be officially translated into German by a certified translator and legalized or apostilled, depending on the issuing country. These documents help verify your German heritage and establish the necessary legal basis for acquiring German citizenship.

Yes. Once you receive a positive decision on your German citizenship through ancestry application, you can apply for a German passport and identity card. If you reside in Germany, this is done through local municipal offices. If you reside abroad, you’ll go through the German Embassy or diplomatic mission in your jurisdiction.

If your application for German citizenship through ancestry is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision. First, you must file an objection with the issuing authority, then appeal to the Administrative Court. If your objection is rejected, you can lodge an appeal to the administrative court responsible within a month of receiving the rejection.

The court will decide on the legality of the decision and may overturn or amend the decision if found unlawful. If your first appeal is unsuccessful, you can then request a further appeal to a higher administrative court if you meet certain conditions.