Important Updates
Important Updates
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 2, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Statement of Changes Creates Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
July 2, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 2, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Statement of Changes Creates Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Easier Route to Citizenship for Descendants of Nazi Persecution

September 26, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • GermanyGermany

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • The German Federal Ministry of the Interior has created an easier citizenship path for foreign nationals whose ancestors lost German citizenship due to Nazi persecution.
  • The new route benefits victims of Nazi prosecution who were previously German citizens but left Germany between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945 and naturalized in another country due to Nazi persecution.
  • Foreign nationals eligible under this route can retain their existing nationality once they have obtained or reinstated their German nationality, whereas Germany does not generally allow dual nationality.

The situation

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior has passed two comprehensive decrees to ease the citizenship process for descendants of people who lost German citizenship due to Nazi persecution. The decrees are effective immediately.

A closer look

  • Expansion details. The German Constitution grants former German citizens who were deprived of their citizenship between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945 due to Nazi injustice and their descendants a claim to restoration of their citizenship. However, the new decree also applies to victims of prosecution who left Germany and were naturalized in another country, thereby losing their German citizenship.
  • Descendants of former German mothers. The decree also expands citizenship to descendants of women who fled Nazi Germany and lost their citizenship after marrying non-German men.
  • Language skills. To be eligible for the status, foreign nationals must prove beginner German language skills and other general application requirements, such as basic knowledge of German society.
  • Application details. Applications are available by appointment at German consular posts and require the applicant to present documents evidencing their German history. The application is free of charge.

 

Impact

  • Retention of current citizenship. Foreign nationals eligible under this route can retain their existing nationality once they obtain or reinstate their German nationality, whereas Germany does not generally allow dual nationality.
  • More favorable review. The decree confirms that these citizenship applications will be reviewed more favorably compared to normal citizenship applications since the language requirements are much easier to meet and there are no integration requirements. Therefore, foreign nationals who have had their citizenship restoration applications rejected in the past may now be eligible for the new application.

 

Background

The German constitution provides descendants of those who were deprived of their citizenship by Nazi Germany the right to have their German citizenship reinstated. However, concern has grown in recent decades as thousands of cases have seen applications refused, most commonly because emigrants lost their German citizenship by naturalizing in another country or in the case of female German emigrants, who married non-German citizens.

In recent years, applications have increased as thousands of descendants exercised their right to apply for German citizenship following the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum.

Looking ahead

Fragomen expects a rise in applications to restore German citizenship, as many applicants who were previously ineligible will be able to re-submit a new application. In particular, demand for German nationality from UK nationals who wish to retain EU citizenship following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union is likely to increase.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • GermanyGermany

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related content

  • German Citizenship

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.