Introduction

The German Law on Nationality and Citizenship is rather complex and has undergone many changes in the past. However, some aspects have remained the same. Please also read the information in the FAQ-Section on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
Please make sure you read and understand the information provided before contacting the German Embassy. This will help us to assist you better. Thank you!

The Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz)

The German rules on citizenship were thoroughly revised with the entry into force of the amended Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz) on January 1st, 2000. The rules underwent yet another revision with the entry into force of the Immigration Act (Zuwanderungsgesetz) on January 1st, 2005.

German citizenship by descent

German citizenship is mainly acquired and passed on through descent from a German parent. The parent has to be German citizen at the time of the birth of the child. Children who are born to former German citizens do not acquire the German citizenship. In addition, for children born before January 1st, 1975 to parents who were married to each other at the time of the birth, it was mandatory that the father was a German citizen in order for the child to acquire the German citizenship.

As an example: If your father was once a German citizen, but was naturalized Singaporean before you were born, he automatically lost his German citizenship when he accepted the Singaporean citizenship and was therefore unable to pass on the German citizenship to you. One or Two Citizenships?

Persons who were born in Germany before the year 2000 to non-German parents did not obtain German citizenship at the time of their birth and are not eligible for a German passport. Only children born in or after the year 2000 to long-term residents of Germany could or can under certain circumstances receive the German citizenship. They must however decide between the ages of 18 and 23 whether to retain their German nationality or the nationality of their parents.

Naturalization

As a general rule, foreigners now have the right to become naturalized after eight years of habitual residence in Germany, provided they meet the relevant conditions. The minimum period for spouses of German nationals is usually shorter. For naturalization, it is necessary to prove adequate knowledge of German. A clean record and commitment to the tenets of the German Constitution are further criteria. The person to be naturalized must also be able to financially support him-/herself. Requirements for applicants residing abroad are more extensive than for residents of Germany.

Multiple citizenship

On 27 June 2024, the Act to Modernise Nationality Law entered into force. It is now easier to acquire other nationalities in addition to one’s German nationality. German nationals may apply for any foreign nationality without relinquishing their German nationality. It is therefore no longer necessary to seek permission to retain a nationality.

Persons having acquired several nationalities by being born in Germany (i.e., by jus soli) must no longer decide between their German and the other nationality. There is no longer an obligation to opt out of one nationality.

Furthermore, persons can now be naturalised after having lived in Germany for five years, as opposed to the previous eight years.

The Act’s provisions are not retroactive regarding events prior to 27 June 2024. Previous provisions related to acquisition and relinquishment continue to apply to such “legacy” cases.

German-Singaporean dual citizenship by birth

As Singapore does not accept dual citizenship, German-Singaporean children have to decide for one citizenships when they turn 21 according to Singaporean law. If the child decides against the German citizenship, he/she has to apply for renouncement of citizenship (read more below).

New Rules for German parents who were born outside of Germany after December 31st, 1999

The German Law on Nationality states that children who were born outside of Germany to one or more German parent(s) who themselves were also born abroad on or after January 1st, 2000, will no longer automatically acquire the German citizenship through the sole principle of descent from a German parent. Exceptions apply if the child would otherwise be stateless or if the German parent(s) will register(s) the birth with the competent German mission abroad within one year of the birth of the child (Sect. 4, 4 of the German Nationality Act).

Important: Only persons born outside of Germany on or after January 1st, 2000, will have to register their children with the German Embassy if the children are also born outside of Germany and if the parents wish they (also) hold German citizenship.

If you are a German parent born before January 1st, 2000, and your child was born outside of Germany after this date, you do not have to register your child with the German Embassy. The above mentioned rule might however become important to your grandchildren.

Renunciation of German citizenship

If you live in the Singapore, possess Singaporean (or another) citizenship in addition to German citizenship, and, for certain reasons, wish to renounce your German citizenship, you must file an application through the German Embassy.

Required documents: You may find all necessary information on required documents and the application form for renunciation on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt). Please use the link on the right side. The website is in German only. Please understand that the German Embassy cannot help you in translating the information. Please contact a translator if you need help. Translations

Procedure: You must submit your application through the German Embassy. The German Embassy needs to certify your signature on the application form. Then your application will be forwarded to the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.

If renunciation is approved, a renunciation certificate will be issued to you. It will be turned over to you by the foreign mission. The renunciation does not enter into force until you accept the certificate. Please include your phone number and email address on your application form or accompanying letter, in case the Federal Ministry of Administration or the German Embassy need to contact you.

Fees: The renunciation is free of charge. However the fee for the signature certification at the German Embassy is 25 EUR. The fees have to be paid when submitting the application. The fee is converted into SGD according to the daily exchange rate at the German Embassy. You may pay in cash or with credit card (Visa, Master). If you pay with credit card, the transaction will be processed in EUR. Further bank fees may apply.

Further information

Further information about German citizenship on our website is available here (in German only)

as well as on these websites:

Federal Foreign Office

Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt)