The German Citizenship Act, or StAG for short, regulates exactly how a person can obtain German citizenship. There are various ways, which differ depending on the life situation and origin. In principle, a distinction is made between acquisition at birth, by declaration, by adoption or by naturalization.
Acquisition by birth: the most common ways
For most people with German citizenship, everything begins at birth. There are two important principles here.
The best known is the principle of descent. This means that a child automatically becomes German if at least one parent has German citizenship at the time of birth. Whether the child is born in Germany or abroad does not initially play a role in the acquisition of citizenship.
There is also the place of birth principle. This applies to children born in Germany to foreign parents. The child acquires German citizenship if, at the time of birth, at least one parent has been living legally in Germany for five years and has a permanent right of residence.
A special regulation applies to foundlings who are found in Germany. It is initially assumed that they are descended from German parents, which means they are considered German.
Acquisition by declaration: a way to make amends
In order to compensate for previous unequal treatment, for example between mothers and fathers, it is now possible to obtain German citizenship by means of a simple declaration. This mainly affects people who were unable to acquire citizenship through their mother or father under previous laws. Their descendants can also benefit from this regulation.
Further paths to citizenship
Adoption
A child who is not yet 18 years old and is adopted by a person with German citizenship also acquires German citizenship.
Late repatriates
Late repatriates and their family members who are included in the notification of admission automatically receive German citizenship when their certificate is issued in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act.
Reparation for Nazi injustice
Persons who were deprived of German citizenship between 1933 and 1945 for political, racial or religious reasons, as well as their descendants, are entitled to be naturalized again.
naturalization
Naturalization is the most common way for foreigners living in Germany to obtain German citizenship. Various requirements must be met for this. There is so-called entitlement naturalization for people who have lived in Germany for a certain period of time and meet other criteria, as well as naturalization at the discretion of the authorities.
Treatment as a German
A very special case is the acquisition of citizenship through long-term treatment as a German. If German authorities have treated a person as a German citizen for more than twelve years, for example by issuing an identity card or passport, and the person is not responsible for this, they can acquire German citizenship under certain circumstances.