Since 2000, children born in Germany to foreign parents may acquire German citizenship at birth in accordance with the principle of jus soli if, at the time of birth, at least one of the child’s parents has been lawfully residing in Germany for at least five years and has an unlimited right of residence. This means that, in addition to the foreign citizenship of their parents, such children acquire German citizenship by virtue of their birth in Germany.

After the child's birth, the registry office will normally inform the parents if the child has acquired German citizenship by virtue of having been born in Germany.