Eligibility for German Citizenship by Descent
To be eligible for German Citizenship by Descent under German Nationality law, you are considered a German citizen if the circumstances of your birth fall in one of the categories below, and you are therefore, the Child or Grandchild of a person listed below:
1. If you were born to married parents between 1 January 1914, and 31 December 1974, and your father was a German citizen at the time of your birth.
2. If you were born to married parents between 1 January 1964, and 31 December 1974, and your mother was German, but your father was not, and you would otherwise have been stateless. During these years – 1964 – 1974, women who married foreign citizens had to renounce their German nationality and thus could not pass it on to their children.
3. If you were born to married parents after 1 January 1975, and one of your parents (mother or father) was a German citizen at the time of your birth.
4. If you were born to unmarried parents after 1 January 1914, and your mother was German at the time of your birth.
5. If you were born after 1 July 1993, to unmarried parents and your father was a German citizen who established paternity in line with German law.
6. If you were born to unmarried parents before 1 July 1993, your father was a German citizen who established paternity, and you declared German citizenship by your 23rd birthday.
7. If you were born to unmarried parents between 1 January 1914, and 30 June 1998, but your parents got married after you were born.
Benefits of German Nationality
The advantages and benefits of acquiring German Citizenship and a German Passport are:
- Unlimited Travel in and out of Germany (Multiple Entry), with a Valid German Passport
- Freedom of Movement across the EU/EFTA area (Visa-Free travel in the EU)
- Visa-free access to 190 countries around the world, as per the Henley Passport Index, in 2023. The German Passport is currently ranked as the equal 2nd strongest Passport in the world.
- Germany recognises Dual Nationality
- Entitled to Live, Work and Vote in Germany on a Permanent basis, and can Live and Work in other EU Countries
- Open and operate a business in Germany and anywhere in the EU
- Access to all Government Social Security benefits and the German Healthcare scheme
- Cheaper Education Costs – as Non-EU Students must pay high Tuition fees
- Allows you to work as a Public Servant and stand in Government elections
- Serve in the German Armed Forces
- Raise your children in Germany and pass on German citizenship to them
- Germany is recognised as being one of the best and safest countries to live in the world
In 2024, Contact VisaConnect’s specialist Consultants, and our partner German Immigration Lawyers, by phone or complete an online Form or visit us in our offices in Brisbane, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, UK and Lisbon, Portugal for advice and assistance with your German Citizenship by Descent application, and supporting documents of German Nationality!
See our web page below:
VisaConnect Immigration Blog 