Citizenship Through Mother (Before 1975) (Section 5 StAG)

Eligibility Quiz

What's Happening

Coming up

Aug 19, 2031

Deadline expires for individuals to declare German citizenship under Section 5 of the Nationality Act (the gender-discrimination remedy for those born before 1975 to a German mother and foreign father); declarations must be received by this date.

germany.info ↗

Today

Individuals born before January 1, 1975, in wedlock to a German mother and foreign father can declare German citizenship by August 19, 2031, under Section 5 of the Nationality Act without language requirements or residency in Germany, and may retain dual citizenship since June 27, 2024.

Oct 30, 2025

Fast-track naturalization pathway (three-year residency option) was abolished; standard naturalization residency requirement remains at five years, though this does not affect citizenship by descent applicants.

dw.com ↗

Jun 27, 2024

Act to Modernise Nationality Law (StARModG) entered into force, permitting dual citizenship without restriction for all applicants, eliminating the previous requirement to renounce existing citizenship when acquiring German citizenship.

germany.info ↗

Aug 20, 2021

Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act entered into force, creating a ten-year declaration window (until August 19, 2031) for individuals born after May 23, 1949, to a German mother and foreign father in wedlock before January 1, 1975, to acquire German citizenship by declaration despite historical gender-discriminatory rules.

germany.info ↗