Spätaussiedler: German Citizenship for Ethnic German Repatriates
The route for ethnic Germans from the former Eastern bloc — ancestry- and records-heavy, and distinct from ordinary descent.
Spätaussiedler are ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc states who resettle in Germany and acquire citizenship through a dedicated admission (Aufnahme) procedure under the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG) and §7 of the Nationality Act. It rests on proving German ethnic origin, ancestry and, generally, a connection to the German language.
Who Spätaussiedler are
The term covers ethnic Germans whose families settled generations ago in the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and other Eastern European states, and who faced expulsion or discrimination after 1945. A dedicated route lets them “return” to Germany and take up citizenship, recognising that shared origin.
How the route works
It runs through an admission procedure (Aufnahme) under the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG), administered by the Bundesverwaltungsamt. On admission and resettlement, the person is recognised as a Spätaussiedler — confirmed by a Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung — and acquires German citizenship under §7 of the Nationality Act.
What you must prove
The core is German ethnic origin (deutsche Volkszugehörigkeit): descent from German ancestors, a declaration of belonging to the German people, and generally a demonstrable connection to the German language. This makes the route heavily dependent on ancestral records — the same archival work as a descent claim, applied to a different legal test.
How it differs from descent
Ordinary descent asks whether German citizenship passed down to you unbroken. The Spätaussiedler route instead asks whether you are an ethnic German entitled to admission and resettlement. Both turn on ancestry and documents, but the legal question — and the procedure — are different.
Is this the same as citizenship by descent?
No — it is a separate route based on ethnic German origin and admission, though both depend on ancestral records.
Do I have to move to Germany?
The route is built around admission and resettlement in Germany, unlike a descent determination made from abroad.
What proves German ethnic origin?
Descent from German ancestors, a declaration of belonging to the German people, and generally a connection to the German language.