Birthactive
Citizenship by birth in Germany
A child of foreign parents born in Germany acquires citizenship when one parent meets the residence and permanent-status conditions.
Sources: German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)
Citizenship routes
Ancestryreviewed
Naturalizationreviewed
Birthreviewed
Investmentreviewed
Ancestryactive
Citizenship through a German parent
A child generally acquires German citizenship at birth when at least one parent is German.
Sources: German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)
Naturalizationactive
Naturalization after residence
The standard entitlement uses five years of lawful ordinary residence, with a shorter rule for spouses of Germans.
Sources: German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)
Naturalizationactive
Restitution for descendants of Nazi-era persecuted Germans
Persons who lost or were denied German citizenship through Nazi persecution (1933–1945), and their descendants, have an entitlement to (re)naturalisation with no residence requirement and may apply from abroad.
Sources: German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)