German Citizenship for Children Born in Germany [2025 Guide]

Key Takeaways

• Children born in Germany typically acquire German citizenship in two ways: first, by right of descent (“das Abstammungsprinzip”), and second, by right of soil or birthplace (“Geburtsortsprinzip”).
• If a child is born in Germany to two German parents, they automatically acquire German citizenship at birth.
• Depending on various factors, a child born in Germany to at least one German parent may acquire German nationality at birth. These include the child’s birthdate, the German parent’s gender, or being born inside or outside of marriage.
• If a child is born in Germany to two foreign parents, certain conditions must be met for the child to be granted German citizenship at birth.

Table of Contents

Get German citizenship by birth

Children born in Germany can acquire German citizenship through two main pathways: the right of descent and the right of soil.

Children who are born to at least one German parent usually acquire German citizenship through the right of descent (“jus sanguinis” or “das Abstammungsprinzip”).

Meanwhile, children born in Germany may also be eligible for German citizenship regardless of their parent’s citizenship. This follows the right of soil or birthplace (“jus soli” or “Geburtsortsprinzip”).

In this guide, we’ll explore the details of acquiring German citizenship by birth in Germany.

Children born in Germany to parents who are both German 

A child born in Germany to German parents automatically acquires German citizenship by birth.

Children born in Germany to one German and one foreign parent

If only one of the child’s parents is German, acquiring German citizenship by descent depends on various factors.

Here is a summary of situations where you acquire German citizenship at birth.

You may read more about it in our guide on German citizenship by descent.

Children born in Germany to parents who are not German

Suppose the child is born in Germany to parents who do not have German citizenship. The child may still acquire  German citizenship by birth if they meet all of the following requirements:

• The child is born on or after 1 January 2000 
• At least one parent has been living legally in Germany for at least five years
• At least one parent has a permanent right of residence or a residence permit. This document must be issued according to the “Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons” between Switzerland and the European Union.

The registry office will evaluate the child’s eligibility for German citizenship when the birth is registered. If all conditions are met, no additional applications will be necessary. The child automatically acquires German citizenship by birth.

How can children born in Germany to foreign parents before Jan 2000 acquire German citizenship?

Unfortunately, if you are born in Germany to foreign parents before 1 Jan 2000, you cannot acquire German citizenship by birth. 

However, you can obtain German citizenship by naturalization. Read our guide on German citizenship by naturalization to learn more.

Can children born in Germany to foreign parents have both German and their parent’s nationalities?

Yes, since 27 June 2024, children of foreign parents can have German and other nationalities. Acquiring German citizenship as you are born in Germany is called obtaining citizenship by “jus soli.”

However, individuals who acquired German citizenship by “jus soli” before 27 June 2024 must choose between German citizenship and their parents’ foreign nationality. This obligation to choose between nationalities is called “Optionspflicht.” They must fulfill this obligation before their 21st birthday.

Since 2014, the following “jus soli” Germans have the right to keep their German and foreign citizenships.

• EU or Swiss Citizenship. The children with foreign citizenship from an EU member state or Switzerland. 
• “Grew up” in Germany. The children who “grew up” in Germany. This refers to children who meet the requirements below:
  • Have resided in Germany for at least eight years
  • Have attended school in Germany for at least six years
  • Have completed schooling or occupational training in Germany

Children born in Germany to parents who are “stateless”

Unfortunately, you cannot acquire German citizenship by birth if you are a child born to “stateless” parents in Germany

However, you may still acquire German citizenship by naturalization. To be eligible for acquiring German citizenship, the child must meet the following requirements:

• They are stateless from birth
• They were born in Germany or on a German plane or ship
• They have been living legally in Germany for at least five years
• They have not received a prison sentence of more than five years

If all conditions are met, the child must apply for naturalization before their 21st birthday.