Germany has long recognized the importance of ancestral connection. If your family tree includes German ancestry—parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents—you might be eligible to reclaim German citizenship by descent—a right grounded in history, identity, and law.
Who Qualifies for German Citizenship by Descent?
Germany offers citizenship by descent (“Abstammungsprinzip”) to individuals with a direct bloodline to German citizens under German nationality law. You may qualify if:
- At least one of your parents was a German citizen at the time of your birth (even if born abroad)
- Your grandparent or great-grandparent was a German citizen and did not lose their citizenship before passing it on
- Your family fled Germany due to Nazi persecution between 1933–1945 (a special restitution path exists)
Your eligibility depends on the continuity of citizenship, application procedures, and how nationality laws at the time applied.
Changes to German Citizenship Law (2021 and 2024 Updates)
Recent reforms have expanded eligibility. In 2021 and again in 2024, Germany revised its laws to:
- Remove gender-based and marital-status barriers (e.g. children of German mothers born before 1975 now have equal rights)
- Restore citizenship to descendants of Nazi victims who were stripped of it
- Allow multiple nationalities in line with the democratic basic order of modern Germany
What Documents Do You Need?
To support your claim, you’ll typically need:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates showing your lineage
- Proof of your ancestor’s German citizenship (e.g. passport, naturalization records, or residency documents)
- Explanation of how citizenship was passed (or lost) over generations
Some applicants may also be required to demonstrate German language skills or complete an integration course and naturalisation test, depending on the process.
We can help you assess eligibility and guide you through the research and application process to ensure your identity document and supporting papers meet all requirements.
Why Reclaim Your German Citizenship?
Holding German citizenship gives you the right to:
- Live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union
- Pass EU citizenship on to your children
- Reconnect with your family’s history and homeland
Sign up now to obtain our EU dual citizenship eligibility assessment.
4 Responses
What documents do I need to prove ancestry by my great grandfather?
Great question! Using our eligibility report, we could determine your eligibility path and then provide a clear list of documents needed based on that.
How do I locate document when I have no living family left to contact. The family spoke German in our household until my grandmother past in the 1990’s.
Hi Richard, thank you for your message! I can confirm that it’s still possible to request German vital records for ancestors, even if they’ve passed away and you don’t have family in Germany. The right office to contact will depend on the year and place of the record.
Our team specializes in determining whether you have a qualifying ancestor for citizenship by descent. We also work with experts who can assist with applications and document obtention.
If you’d like a full eligibility report, we’d be happy to review your case and connect you with our network of experts accordingly. You can get started here: https://citizenship.eu/start/