Becoming German Again: Re-Acquiring German Citizenship

Former German citizens can often get their citizenship back. Depending on why it was lost, the route may be restoration (for Nazi-era persecution), a declaration under StAG §5 or §15, or a re-naturalisation under §13 — which can be available from abroad and, since 2024, without giving up another nationality.

Start with why it was lost

The right route depends entirely on how German citizenship was lost. Denaturalisation of the persecuted between 1933 and 1945 points to restoration; a historic gender rule points to a §5 declaration; a voluntary foreign naturalisation without a retention permit points to re-naturalisation. Establishing the cause and date is always the first step.

Restoration and declaration routes

For persecution-related loss, Article 116(2) restores citizenship and StAG §15 provides a broad declaration route — both reaching descendants, generally without a fee and allowing dual citizenship. For gender-discriminatory exclusions, StAG §5 lets those affected and their descendants declare, within a window currently open until 19 August 2031.

Re-naturalisation under §13

Former German citizens who don’t fall within the restoration provisions may apply to be re-naturalised under §13 of the Nationality Act. This is a discretionary route that can, in appropriate cases, be used from outside Germany — useful where citizenship was simply given up or lost on an old foreign naturalisation.

The 2024 reform helps

Because Germany now broadly permits multiple citizenship, re-acquiring German citizenship no longer means renouncing the nationality you hold today. That removes a major obstacle that previously deterred former citizens from applying to become German again.