Citizenship Restoration (Article 116 II GG)

Article 116 (2) of the German Basic Law restores German citizenship to people who were deprived of it between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, on political, racial, or religious grounds—and to their descendants. This is a constitutional entitlement, not a discretionary benefit. If your ancestor lost German citizenship because they were Jewish, politically persecuted, or targeted by the Nazi regime, or if you are their descendant, you may qualify. The pathway has been available since 1949 and remains open with no application deadline or time limit.

This pathway is distinct from Section 15 of the Citizenship Act (StAG), which covers people who lost German citizenship through other means (such as voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship) or who were prevented from acquiring it due to Nazi persecution. Article 116 (2) specifically addresses formal deprivation of citizenship that was already held.

Germany no longer objects to dual citizenship as of June 27, 2024. You do not need to renounce your existing nationality to restore German citizenship.

Upon successful restoration of German citizenship, you receive:

• EU Citizenship: Freedom of movement in all EU and EEA states; right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU; consular protection worldwide
• Unrestricted Work and Residence: Right to live, work, and study in Germany and throughout the EU without visa or work permit requirements
• Voting Rights: Participation in German federal, state, and local elections, as well as European Parliament elections
• German Passport: Access to a German passport, ranked highly for visa-free travel globally
• Social Security Access: Full access to Germany's social security system, including health insurance, unemployment benefits, and pension contributions
• No Renunciation Required: Dual citizenship is permitted; you retain your existing nationality
• Generational Continuity: Children born abroad to you (as a restored German citizen) can acquire German citizenship by descent. The 2024 reform introduced a "generation cut" for most German citizens abroad, but this cut does not apply to descendants of persons who acquired citizenship through Article 116 (2) restitution. Your chain of nationality transfer is not interrupted.