• Can I automatically lose my German citizenship?
• Can I give up my German citizenship?
• Can I renounce my German citizenship?
• What does the obligation to choose citizenship mean?
• What about German children who are adopted by foreigners?
• What about serving in the armed forces of a foreign state?
• What can I do if I have lost my German citizenship?

 

Can I automatically lose my German citizenship?

Section 25 of the Nationality Act
Yes. Any German citizen who applies for and acquires foreign citizenship, whether in Germany or abroad, automatically loses his or her German citizenship. This occurs automatically by law; you do not have to make a special declaration or notify the German authorities. And it makes no difference how you acquired German citizenship. To avoid losing your German citizenship in this way, you must apply for and be granted permission to retain your German citizenship before acquiring foreign citizenship. When issuing passports, registering births, processing the subsequent immigration of family members, etc., the authorities make sure the persons in question are still German citizens. Possessing a German passport or identity card does not in itself constitute proof of citizenship. In case of doubt, a test to determine nationality can be carried out.

Can I give up my German citizenship?

Sections 18 to 24 of the Nationality Act
German nationality law allows its citizens to give up their citizenship, as long as they can show that they have applied for citizenship from another country whose responsible authorities have provided assurance that acquiring such citizenship is possible.
The loss of citizenship is effective when the person in question is issued a document to this effect, as long as he or she can demonstrate that he or she has acquired another citizenship within a year of the document being issued.  
Persons employed in the public service and still in an official relationship with public law functions, other than persons acting in a voluntary capacity, may not be released from their German citizenship. Persons subject to compulsory military service must receive approval from the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Can I renounce my German citizenship?

Section 26 of the Nationality Act
Anyone with multiple citizenship may renounce his or her German citizenship. Doing so requires official permission and goes into effect when a document to this effect is issued.

What does the obligation to choose citizenship mean?

Section 29 of the Nationality Act
Anyone with multiple nationality who has acquired German citizenship according to the principle of birthplace (Section 4 para. 3 of the Nationality Act) or by naturalization in accordance with Section 40 b of the Nationality Act* must choose between his/her German and foreign citizenship upon reaching the age of majority and before his/her 23rd birthday.
* Under a special time-limited entitlement to naturalization, this also applies to children who were not yet ten years old on 31 December 2000.
By choosing the other citizenship, he or she loses German citizenship. The same is true if he/she fails to declare a choice before his/her 23rd birthday.
Those wishing to retain their German citizenship must declare this in advance of their 23rd birthday. They must also officially renounce their foreign citizenship before their 23rd birthday, otherwise they will automatically lose their German citizenship.
If it is clear that it is not possible to give up the foreign citizenship, or to do so before the deadline, or that doing so would cause unreasonable hardship, then the person in question may apply for dual nationality before his/her 21st birthday. Persons eligible to apply for naturalization may also apply for dual nationality if it might be justified in their case.

What about German children who are adopted by foreigners?

Section 27 of the Nationality Act
German children who are adopted by a foreign parent and acquire the parent’s citizenship lose their German citizenship. This does not apply if they maintain a legal relation to their German parent.

What about serving in the armed forces of a foreign state?

Section 28 of the Nationality Act
Anyone with more than one citizenship who enters the service of the armed forces of a foreign state without prior approval by the Federal Ministry of Defence or its designated representative, or without being entitled, on the basis of a bilateral treaty, to join the armed forces of this state voluntarily, will thereby lose his or her German citizenship.

What can I do if I have lost my German citizenship?

Losing German citizenship also means losing all the rights and obligations associated with it. Even if you still have your German passport, in legal terms you have become a foreigner and require a residence and work permit to live and work in Germany.
 
You may regain your German citizenship through re-naturalization. Please contact your local naturalization authority for more information.