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Key Takeaways
- Children born in Germany typically acquire German citizenship by right of descent (“das Abstammungsprinzip”) from a German parent. In special cases, they may also acquire it by right of soil or birthplace (“Geburtsortsprinzip”), or being born in Germany if the rules are met.
- 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.
- Children born in Germany (since 2000) to non-German parents can acquire citizenship at birth if one parent has over five years’ legal residence and permanent status.
Table of Contents
What are the possible pathways to get German citizenship?
You can get German citizenship via one of the six ways.
- Naturalization
- Descent
- Adoption
- Birth
- Marriage
- Citizenship by declaration
Get German citizenship by birth
Children who are born in Germany 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 parents’ 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 two 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.
| Birth | Parents’ citizenship at the time of birth | Were the parents married at the time of birth? | |
| Father | Mother | ||
| born between 1 Jan 1914 and 31 Dec 1974 | 🇩🇪 German | Non-German | Yes |
| Non-German | 🇩🇪 German | No* | |
| born on or after Jan. 1, 1975 | At least one parent is German | Yes | |
A child born out of wedlock between 1 January 1914 and 30 June 1998 could also acquire German citizenship through the later marriage of the parents. This was called legitimization.
You may read more about it in our guide on German citizenship by descent.
Children born in Germany to parents who are not German
Under the 2024 reforms to German nationality law, a child born in Germany to non-German parents on or after 1 January 2000 can acquire German citizenship at birth. At least one parent should have lived legally and habitually in Germany for more than five years and have a permanent right of residence.
How can children born in Germany to foreign parents before Jan 2000 acquire German citizenship?
Unfortunately, you cannot acquire German citizenship by birth if you are born in Germany to foreign parents before 1 Jan 2000.
The birthright rule only started in 2000, and it was not made retroactive.
However, you can still obtain German citizenship by naturalization. Read our guide on German citizenship by naturalization to learn more.
You can also consult an immigration lawyer if you have doubts or need support. You can book the services of an immigration lawyer we recommend here.
Consult an Immigration Lawyer
- An immigration lawyer can help you accelerate your German citizenship application.
- The lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
- You can clarify your doubts regarding German citizenship.
Can children born in Germany to foreign parents have both German and their parents’ nationalities?
Yes, children of foreign parents can have German and other nationalities since the reforms took effect on 27 June 2024. However, when applying for a German passport abroad, you may still need to provide documents proving your citizenship status.
However, be aware that your other country of origin may have different laws on dual citizenship and could revoke your citizenship if you acquire German citizenship.
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
- They have been living legally and permanently 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.
More topics
References:
- https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/acquiring-german-citizenship-2463622
- https://www.integrationsbeauftragte.de/resource/blob/1864184/2294760/09515e96026f31fbf2953a8950cd9854/einbuergerung-broschuere-en-data.pdf?download=1
- https://manila.diplo.de/ph-en/service/citizenship/1988004-1988004?openAccordionId=item-1988010-5-panel
- https://americangerman.institute/2023/02/the-evolution-of-german-citizenship-law/
- https://manila.diplo.de/ph-en/service/citizenship/1988130-1988130
