Citizenship by Restitution (Section 15 StAG)

Section 15 StAG (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz) is Germany's restitution citizenship pathway for individuals and their descendants whose German citizenship was lost, denied, or withheld due to Nazi persecution between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945. Enacted on August 20, 2021, this law extends eligibility beyond the narrower requirements of Article 116(2) of the German Basic Law, covering a broader range of persecution-related citizenship loss and denial. Unlike Article 116(2), Section 15 does not require that you ever held German citizenship yourself — descendants of persons excluded from acquiring citizenship due to persecution can apply, even if neither they nor their ancestors formally held German citizenship at any point.

There is no application deadline. You can apply in any generation without time restriction.

Section 15 StAG was introduced through the Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act, which entered into force on August 20, 2021. It complements Article 116(2) of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), which provides a narrower restitution pathway. While Article 116(2) requires formal deprivation of citizenship under specific Nazi decrees, Section 15 covers broader categories of citizenship loss and denial resulting from persecution.

Automatic Conversion of Earlier Applications

Applications submitted under Section 14 StAG (the discretionary predecessor provision) before August 20, 2021, in the context of Nazi persecution are automatically treated as applications under Section 15 StAG. You do not need to resubmit.

2024 Citizenship Law Reform

On June 27, 2024, Germany's citizenship law underwent significant modernization. While this reform primarily affected regular naturalization pathways (reducing residency requirements from 8 to 5 years and permitting dual citizenship for regular naturalization), it did not fundamentally alter Section 15 StAG requirements or procedures.

Generational Transmission Change

Since the 2024 reform, a generational transmission limit applies to children born abroad. A person naturalized under Section 15 StAG can only transfer their German citizenship to the next generation if that person was born before January 1, 2000. Otherwise, they must register their newborn child within a specified timeframe.

Apostille Process Digitalization

As of December 2024, the procedure for obtaining German apostilles has been digitalized. Applications for apostilles must now be submitted through an online portal managed by the Federal Office of Foreign Affairs (BfAA), with payment via the secure "ePayBL" system. Processing time has improved to approximately two weeks for apostille issuance.

As of August 2024, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) had received approximately 31,500 applications under Section 15 StAG since the law's introduction in 2021, with 16,500 applications received in 2024 alone. The office has allocated only 14 full-time positions to handle Section 15 applications, creating a significant processing backlog. The estimated waiting time is currently 24–36 months from application submission to decision. With complete documentation, applicants report processing times of around 18 months or more, and in complex cases involving archive research or incomplete documentation, the process can take two to three years or longer.

Between 2021 and 2024, only 25 applications under Section 15 StAG were rejected, indicating an extremely high approval rate for eligible applicants.

Upon approval of your application, you acquire the following rights and status:

• Full German citizenship with all associated rights and protections
• German passport eligibility — once citizenship is restored, you are entitled to apply for a German passport through the nearest German Embassy or consulate
• EU citizenship — German citizenship includes EU citizenship, granting you the right to live, work, and travel throughout the European Union
• Dual or multiple citizenship — you do not have to renounce your existing citizenship(s). The loss or retention of existing citizenship is governed by the law of your country of current citizenship. You must consult with competent authorities in your country of origin prior to submitting your application to determine whether your existing citizenship will be affected
• Family reunification rights — as a German citizen, you have the right to sponsor family members for residence in Germany
• Access to German social services — including healthcare, education, and social security benefits
• Right to work in Germany and the EU without restrictions
• Retroactive effect — your citizenship is restored retroactively, meaning the legal effect dates back to the point of loss or denial, though the practical acquisition occurs upon approval
• Naturalization certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) — the official document confirming acquisition of German citizenship

Before receiving your naturalization certificate, you must make a declaration of commitment to the free democratic basic order if you are aged 16 or older.