German Citizenship Through Ancestry
Germany is known for its vibrant cities like Berlin and Munich, its world-class education and innovation, and its enduring cultural influence in art and music. But it’s also a country with a complex past, one that shaped the lives of millions of families across Europe and beyond.
Today, Germany is working to make things right by welcoming back descendants of those affected.
Whether your family left during WWII, fled after the war, or lost citizenship through outdated laws, Germany now offers a legal way to reclaim your family’s connection and your rights as a citizen of the European Union.
Eligible Generations
Up to your grandparents
Travel Required?
No (apply via consulate)
Ways to Apply
2 ways
Language requirement?
No
Your Heritage. Your EU Rights.
Your Heritage. Your EU Rights. Restoring German citizenship means reclaiming your family’s place in European history and access to the full benefits of EU citizenship–including the right to live, work, study, and travel across all 27 countries.
Why Does Germany Offer Citizenship by Descent?
Germany wants to make things right for families who were forced to leave or lost their citizenship because of war or unfair laws. In the past, many people had to leave Germany because of World War II, unfair treatment by the government, or changes after the war. Some lost their German citizenship without choosing to.
Today, if your family lost their German citizenship in these ways, you might be able to get it back even if you were born in another country.
Live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.
Who Can Apply?
You might be able to if you can answer yes to one of these questions:
- Was your parent a German citizen?
- Did your parent or grandparent lose their German citizenship because of persecution or post-war political changes (not because they chose to give it up)?
Not sure if this applies to your family story? Take the assessment to see if you’re eligible.
Want to find if you are eligible for German Citizenship?
Simple 3-step process to discover your eligibility
1. Tell us (or your genealogist) about your family
Share your family details. Enter them yourself or connect with a genealogist for help.
2. We analyze with AI + experts
AI processes fast. Experts ensure your case is as accurate as possible.
3. Receive your report
Get your eligibility analysis. Follow the steps. Start your path to citizenship.
What You'll Receive
A comprehensive eligibility report tailored to your family history
Your Eligibility Report Includes:
- Assessment of all EU countries based on your lineage
- Clear eligibility decision for each country
- Detailed reasoning and relevant laws explained
- Specific next steps and requirements
Eligible for dual citizenship? We can help you achieve it
If you find out you are eligible for dual citizenship with our report, we offer additional services to assist with document collection and application processing
Your guide to German Citizenship
We cover essential information regarding applying for and achieving EU nationality through ancestry. This blog also explores relocation resources, citizenship programs outside of the EU, and more.
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Chicago, USA
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Get the German citizenship guide
Unlock detailed information on timelines, required documents, and legal pathways all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How Many Generations Back Can You Claim German Citizenship by Descent?
Under German nationality law, you can usually claim citizenship if your mother or father was a German citizen at the time of your birth—regardless of where you were born. In some cases, grandchildren of German citizens may also qualify, as long as citizenship was passed down uninterrupted (i.e., your parent did not lose or fail to acquire German citizenship before your birth).
How can I get dual citizenship by descent?
Eligibility typically extends to descendants of German citizens up to the grandparent level. Claims through great-grandparents are generally not recognized unless German citizenship was passed uninterrupted through each generation. However, exceptions exist for descendants of individuals who lost citizenship due to Nazi-era persecution.
Did Germany’s citizenship law change recently?
Yes. As of June 27, 2024, Germany implemented reforms allowing dual citizenship and reducing the residency requirement for naturalization from eight to five years. These changes aim to facilitate integration and acknowledge Germany’s diverse society.
Who Does Not Qualify?
Skipping generations: German citizenship cannot be claimed through grandparents or great-grandparents unless the parent directly inherited and retained German citizenship. Loss of citizenship: If an ancestor voluntarily renounced German citizenship or became a citizen of another country before 2000 without special permission, their descendants do not qualify.
Can I claim German citizenship through a great-grandparent?
Generally, claims through great-grandparents are not recognized unless German citizenship was passed down without interruption through each generation. However, if your ancestors lost citizenship due to Nazi persecution, you may be eligible under restitution provisions.
Can Jewish descendants of former German citizens apply for citizenship by descent?
Yes. Descendants of individuals who lost German citizenship due to Nazi-era persecution can apply for restoration of citizenship. This includes cases where citizenship was revoked on racial, political, or religious grounds between 1933 and 1945.
How much does it cost to apply for German citizenship?
Citizenship.EU offers a full eligibility check for $80. Our AI-powered system, reviewed by experts, analyzes your ancestry against German citizenship laws—saving you time and costly legal fees.
If you're eligible, we’ll outline what comes next. Additional government or document fees may apply.
Which countries does Germany allow dual citizenship with?
Under the new law, Germany now allows dual citizenship with nationals of all countries, provided the other country also permits dual citizenship.
Previously, this was restricted mainly to EU citizens and limited exceptions.
Start with your past.
Start building your future.
Your family immigrated from Europe for more opportunities. Now, their story might help you do exactly the same thing. Browse by country to learn whether your family history might qualify you for dual citizenship.
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Bulgarian
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Croatian
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Secure your Croatian citizenship and embrace a vibrant country with deep history and unforgettable scenery.
Cypriot
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Reconnect with your Cypriot heritage and enjoy island life, sunny Mediterranean shores, and full EU citizenship benefits.
Czech
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Reclaim your Czech citizenship by descent and explore a land of ancient castles, churches, and bohemian culture.
French
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German
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Reclaim your German citizenship through ancestry and discover a land of castles, education, and economic strength.
Greek
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Hungarian
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Irish
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Reclaim your Irish citizenship through ancestry and embrace the Emerald Isle's rich heritage and rolling green hills.
Italian
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Latvian
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Lithuanian
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Luxembourgish
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Maltese
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Reclaim your Maltese citizenship and reconnect with a Mediterranean gem of sun-warmed cities, historic baroque charm, and EU travel freedom.
Polish
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Reclaim your Polish citizenship through ancestry and reconnect with a land of castles, heritage, and tradition.
Portuguese
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Reclaim your Portuguese citizenship through ancestry and rediscover a land of waves, wine, and historic charm.
Romanian
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Rediscover your Romanian heritage and enjoy access to one of Europe's most enchanting and affordable destinations.
Slovak
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Reclaim your Slovak citizenship through ancestry and reconnect with a land of thermal springs and folk heritage.
Slovenian
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Spanish
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Reclaim your Spanish citizenship through ancestry and explore one of Europe's most iconic cultural nations.
Still have questions? Let’s talk
Have a specific question about your case, documents, or eligibility? We’d love to hear it and it might even help us shape new resources.
