Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. It’s advisable to provide all documentation you think might strengthen your argument. Even if your parents aren’t German, if you were born in Germany, you qualify for obtaining citizenship, if you meet these conditions: 1. Apply for German citizenship. This remains to be solved and is up to whether Germany will allow U.K citizens who apply for German citizenship to keep their U.K citizenship too. There are three general instances that can lead to you getting German citizenship. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. those with a higher education degree in politics, law or social sciences from a German university. Most expats will need to apply for German citizenship by naturalization. The German government processing times for citizenship applications outside of Germany have increased to over two years, therefore we feel unable to provide new clients with the service that we would want to. Processes will also vary, so it’s worth checking up exactly what the requirements are to make sure everything goes … Although you can’t renounce your German citizenship, you can lose it. All persons over the age of 16 are obliged to apply. So since you cannot give up the citizenship, you can lose it under these circumstances: If you have renounced your German citizenship in the past or have lost it for reasons other than criminal activity, you can apply for renaturalization. With over 44 million people who have full or partial German ancestry, you too could claim this European passport that is the third-best travel document in the … This includes the integration in society, respect for and obedience of all laws, and even German military service. At least one of the foreign parents must have been permanently resident in Germany for at least eight years and – for children born on or after 28 August 2007 – the parent must also possess indefinite leave to remain in Germany. A German citizenship is not necessarily permanent. Having a Germany dual citizenship is not an easy task. In addition, you cannot claim German citizenship through any other ancestors except your parents, including German citizenship through grandparents. Jus Solis makes reference to the right of citizenship for being born within the borders of a given country. Are you an expat living in Germany? German citizenship is usually forwarded from one generation to the next and many become aware of their German citizenship only after decades have passed. So make sure you have found the correct place to apply. German rules do not allow its citizens to give up the German citizenship. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has more information about the test including how to prepare, free online tests, and where to take it. If you don’t notify your German municipal office or German mission abroad when getting another citizenship, then you could get a penalty, joining military forces of a country where you hold another citizenship without getting the permission of the German authorities. German law on nationality and citizenship is rather complex. Which… One of the most important requirements in this case, which you must prove through testing is your language proficiency. Apply for British citizenship. It’s also possible to get around this ruling if denying German citizenship would mean the child is stateless. 2. Schlun & Elseven are a well-established law firm offering clear and professional legal advice for expats moving to Germany. Only children born after February 2nd, 1990, have the right to get this type of citizenship. There’s a free Online Test Centre to help people practice for the test. Part of the integration course also tackles several themes covered by the citizenship test. Citizenship by descent refers to the ‘by right of blood’ circumstance. Germany Visa in the UK Germany Visa in the US Germany Visa in India Germany Visa in Dubai. Any child born to one foreign parent and one German parent, or to a parent holding German dual nationality, will get citizenship of all their parents’ nationalities. The other way around applies as well. To get a German citizenship by marriage, you’ll need to apply for naturalization and fulfil all of the requirements needed, in addition to the marriage requirements. If you’re eligible in more than one way you can choose which way to apply. You may change your settings at any time. Mostly applications from people living in the local area are taken by that area’s service centre. The application costs €255 for adults and €51 for children under 16-years-old. To qualify for German citizenship by naturalisation, you need to meet the following criteria: You have lived in Germany on a lawful residence permit for more than eight years. Taking into account that Germany is a country many people want to live, work, and study in, they also want to know how to get German citizenship. You are able to support yourself and your family financially without relying on unemployment benefit II, housing benefits or childcare allowance. As mentioned already, a fee of around € 255 will be paid to complete each application. Processes will vary depending on citizenship. And if the kid was born here in Germany but have non-German parents – on or after January 1st, 2000 – can also apply to German Citizenship under certain circumstances. There is a chance your citizenship application could be refused. All Rights Reserved | Impressum | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms and ConditionsDisclaimer: Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care, we can not accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a young family, their full-service immigration team can provide dedicated assistance for every step of your relocation to Germany. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. What are the actual steps to becoming a citizen of Germany? A child born in Germany on or after 1 January 2000 to non-German parents may acquire German citizenship under certain conditions: 1. You need to do this within one month of receiving the refusal. For financial stability, you can submit bank statements and other documents, which state your financial situation. Check online to find the closest integration course venue. If you get married in Germany after arriving in the country, the process for claiming German citizenship by marriage can take longer. You have to answer at least 17 questions correctly to pass the test, and you can re-sit the test if you don’t pass. You lose your German citizenship automatically if you receive foreign nationality of any country outside the EU and Switzerland. There are different ways to apply for British citizenship (or ‘naturalisation’) based on your circumstances. There are additional requirements you’ll have to meet – you must have been married for at least two years, and been a legal resident in Germany for at least three years to qualify. If you want to apply for German citizenship (Einbürgerung), you first need to contact your local Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde) to get advice. Adults can submit your application yourself, but anyone under the age of 16 will need to submit your application. Getting citizenship by naturalization/residence in Germany, Citizenship appeals and complaints in Germany, Read our guide to German visas and work permits, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Read our guide for EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens moving to Germany, German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community, had been living in Germany for at least eight years, had permanent residence status in Germany, Living in Germany on a residence permit for at least 8 years, Living in Germany on a residence permit for at least 7 years, and attended an integration course, Being able to speak and write in German to a good standard (equivalent to level B1 of the, Being financially able to support yourself and your family without any help from the state, Passing a citizenship test (more on this below), Bank statements to prove your financial position, Proof of your German language skills, mentioned above, Naturalization certificate from passing the citizenship test, anyone who cannot take the test due to old age, illness or because of a disability. 1.1. However, if you choose to live in the country of your other citizenship you will lose your right to claim German consular protection and can only claim the services of the other country. They include: If you are required to prove your German-language skills, you can attend a full integration course and obtain the ‘DTZ – German test for immigrants’ certificate. Naturalization is a process, which makes it possible for a foreigner to become a German citizen. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. A child born to a U.S. citizen parent and a German parent acquires both U.S. and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth, if the parents satisfy the jus soli or jus sanguinis requirements of their respective countries. This means that you have at least one German parent and it does not take into account whether you were born in Germany or not. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. Becoming a German citizen is not possible under all circumstances. German citizenship law is relatively complicated. When the child is between 18 to 23-years-old they will then have to choose whether they want to keep their German nationality, or that of their parents. This is also the Jus Soli citizenship. Nevertheless, we have divided this guide into comprehensive sections, which can provide you with tips, requirements, and application procedures that show you how to become a German citizen. At least one of your parents must have lived in Germany for a minimum of 8 years before your birth. In addition to the form, you’ll need to supply the following documents to prove that you meet the naturalization requirements: When you have collected all completed documents, you need to submit your application to the office which originally issued the application form. In order to obtain a national passport, the person needs to apply for a work permit or residence. birth certificate (if it’s not in German or English, you must also provide a translation), marriage certificate/extract of German family book (if applicable), German naturalization certificate (if applicable), Children with one German and one foreign parent, or a parent who has two citizenships, Re-settlers of ethnic German descent and their family members (admitted along with them), Those from countries that do not allow them to give up their citizenship. This rule can be surpassed only if you as the child would be stateless if the German authorities did not accept you and give you a German citizenship. You can get this type of citizenship on the following conditions: In getting this type of citizenship, the child will again have to choose the citizenship of the parents or the citizenship of Germany between the ages of 18 and 23 years old. Germans who acquire citizenship of another EU country or Switzerland. All people over 16 years are required to apply themselves, and parents or legal guardians of any children under 16 apply must on their behalf. Additionally, there are several other requirements for obtaining German citizenship: Furthermore, you will be able to benefit from freedom of movement within the EU and can live and work in other countries in the European Union without a residence permit. Coronavirus: What to Do If You Get Stuck in Germany? However, certain people can hold two citizenships: There are also special cases when it comes to dual citizenship between Germany and the UK, and Germany and the USA. They include: 1. Foreign nationals who are already married to a German national must still meet all naturalization requirements and pass the test. Children born with one German parent and one parent from the USA or UK can retain both citizenships – although, in the case of the UK, this may change depending on the terms of Brexit. However, you can only appeal if you think the decision to reject your application is unfair. Germany is a country full of bureaucratic procedures and red tape, so naturally, even the German Federal Foreign Office states that citizenship law is immensely complicated. In addition, they cannot enter the U.S with a German passport and the other way around. You’ll need to provide the original and one photocopy of the following: As of 2012, all children must also have their own passports, which parents must apply for. If you want to keep your German citizenship after becoming a US citizen, you will need to apply for the so-called “Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (BBG)”. You can find a variety of language schools in Germany. However, if the child lives in the U.S, they might have the citizenship of Germany, but cannot take advantage of German services. There are many requirements you’ll have to fulfil before you can apply. If your parents have different nationalities, you get the German citizenship; however, between the ages of 18 and 23 years old, you will have 5 years to decide which nationality you want to retain. Furthermore, some Federal Länder offer naturalization courses to help you prepare. You can apply for German citizenship by acquiring an application form from your local immigration office, the town council, or a similar authority. The parent has to be a German citizen at the time of the child's birth. You might want to get a German passport (deutscher Reisepass) once you have your German citizenship. If this happens you can appeal the decision. Children born to foreign parents in Germany before 1 January 2000 did not acquire German citizenship and cannot retroactively apply for … Your choices will not impact your visit. If you can prove that you meet all the requirements for naturalization, you can begin your application process. The child must give up the nationalities of the parents in order to get the German one, or apply for dual citizenship. This means that the foreign national spouse cannot apply for naturalization unless, the couple has been married for at least two years and have lived in Germany for at least three years. This is actualized after staying in the country for a minimum of eight-years. All people with the exception of EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals, must fulfill requirements and fall into one of these categories for getting German citizenship. With German citizenship, you can vote and also run for a political office in Germany. You can get an application form from your local immigration office, city council, regional district office or town council. A few people are exempt from taking the citizenship test. By right of blood or in Latin Jus Sanguinis 1.3. How to get German citizenship – find out how to get German nationality so that you can get a German passport, and the documents required for the application procedure… There are a number of different ways to acquire or claim German citizenship; through naturalisation, birth or adoption. Parents and legal guardians should apply for children aged under 16. This test includes 33 multiple choice questions on German living, society, rules, and laws, as well as questions specific to the place you live. In order to apply for citizenship, you’ll need to have passed the German citizenship test. In addition, if your parents are divorced, then you can get German citizenship by descent only if your parent recognizes you as their legal child by the rules of German law. You need to bring a form of ID on the test day. They must present the German passport to enter Germany and the U.S passport to enter the U.S. In this case, the child is not required to give up either nationality and can hold both. If you pass, you’ll be given a certificate to present to the naturalization authorities. The German citizenship application costs EUR 255, plus EUR 51 for each child. 1. Either way, you must know German in order to be eligible for naturalization or any other type of German citizenship. This includes presenting a high school certificate or university diploma from a German education institution. You can find your office via the following link: https://www.bamf.de/DE/Service/ServiceCenter/BeratungVorOrt/Auslaenderbehoerden/auslaenderbehoerden-node.html How to apply for German citizenship. Copyright © 2021 Germany Visa. So, if someone of German nationality wants to renounce their citizenship to avoid an obligation such as paying German taxes or talking part in military service, they will not be allowed to do so. These are the fees you must pay: Take the documents which prove you meet naturalization requirements, your application form, the receipts that you have paid all fees, and your naturalization certificate to the office from which you have taken the application form. However, if you live in the country of your other citizenship, you cannot take advantage of German services and cannot get any help from the German consulate.

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