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Loss of German citizenship
Article
Can I automatically lose my German citizenship?
Section 25 of the Nationality Act
Yes. Any German citizen who applies for and acquires foreign citizenship, whether in Germany or abroad, automatically loses his or her German citizenship. This occurs automatically by law; you do not have to make a special declaration or notify the German authorities. And it makes no difference how you acquired German citizenship. To avoid losing your German citizenship in this way, you must apply for and be granted permission to retain your German citizenship before acquiring foreign citizenship. When issuing passports, registering births, processing the subsequent immigration of family members, etc., the authorities make sure the persons in question are still German citizens. In case of doubt, possession or lack of German citizenship can be established by the national authority upon application.
Can I give up my German citizenship?
Sections 18 to 24 of the Nationality Act
German nationality law allows its citizens to give up their citizenship, as long as they can show that they have applied for citizenship from another country whose responsible authorities have provided assurance that acquiring such citizenship is possible.
The loss of citizenship is effective when the person in question is issued a document to this effect, as long as he or she can demonstrate that he or she has acquired another citizenship within a year of the document being issued.
Persons employed in the public service and still in an official relationship with public law functions, other than persons acting in a voluntary capacity, may not be released from their German citizenship.
Can I renounce my German citizenship?
Section 26 of the Nationality Act
Anyone with multiple citizenship may renounce his or her German citizenship. Doing so requires official permission and goes into effect when a document to this effect is issued.
What does the obligation to choose citizenship mean?
Section 29 of the Nationality Act
Under the previous law anyone with multiple nationality who has acquired German citizenship according to the principle of birthplace ("jus soli Germans") were required to choose between his/her German and foreign citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
Under the new law, the Second Act Amending the Nationality Act (Zweites Gesetz zur Änderung des Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetzes, Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1714), however, effective 20 December 2014 those jus soli Germans who grow up in Germany or whose foreign citizenship is that of an EU member state or Switzerland may keep both their German and their foreign citizenship.
Under the new law, such persons are considered to have grown up in Germany if, by their 21st birthday, they have lived in Germany as their place of usual residence for at least eight years, attended school in Germany for at least six years, or completed school or occupational training in Germany.
What about German children who are adopted by foreigners?
Section 27 of the Nationality Act
German children who are adopted by a foreign parent and acquire the parent’s citizenship lose their German citizenship. This does not apply if they maintain a legal relation to their German parent.
What about serving in the armed forces of a foreign state?
Section 28 of the Nationality Act
Anyone with more than one citizenship who enters the service of the armed forces of a foreign state without prior approval by the Federal Ministry of Defence or its designated representative, or without being entitled, on the basis of a bilateral treaty, to join the armed forces of this state voluntarily, will thereby lose his or her German citizenship.
What can I do if I have lost my German citizenship?
Losing German citizenship also means losing all the rights and obligations associated with it. Even if you still have your German passport, in legal terms you have become a foreigner and require a residence and work permit to live and work in Germany.
You may regain your German citizenship through re-naturalization. Please contact your local naturalization authority for more information.