In certain cases, German nationality law allows its citizens to have or acquire an additional citizenship. As a rule, children born to a German and a non-German parent, or to parents with dual nationality, acquire the nationalities of both parents at birth, according to the principle of descent.

Who qualifies for German citizenship by descent?

German Citizenship Through Descent Technically, you are considered a German citizen and can reclaim your German citizenship if: You were born to married parents and your father was a German citizen. You were born on or after 1 January 1975 to married parents and either one of your parents was a German citizen.

Under what circumstances does Germany allow dual citizenship?

Both the United States and Germany recognize the concept of multiple nationality. A child born to an American parent and a German parent acquires both American and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth.

Will Germany ever allow dual citizenship?

German law generally discourages dual citizenship, but it does not always require that applicants renounce their citizenship before becoming German. Of those 112,211 naturalized German citizens in 2017, almost 39,000 came from EU member states and 99 percent kept their original nationality.

What happens if I give birth in Germany?

After giving birth in Germany, you must arrange your baby’s registration and apply for a German birth certificate. A child born on German soil or to German parents can claim German citizenship if they meet certain conditions.

Is a child born in Germany A German citizen?

A child can attain German citizenship by being born in Germany even if neither parent is German. A further condition is that one parent has been legally resident in Germany for eight years and has a right of unlimited residence or for three years an unlimited residence permit.

Can I become a German citizen if I was born there?

A child can attain German citizenship by being born in Germany even if neither parent is German. Children who become German citizens in this way must however decide between the age of 18 and 23 whether they want to retain German citizenship or the citizenship of their parents.

Is a child born in Germany automatically a citizen?

Is it legal to have two passports?

Dual citizenship or nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. The U.S. allows (but does not encourage) dual citizenship. Under the above circumstances, it is not illegal or a fraud in any way for the person to hold two valid passports.

How old do you have to be to have dual citizenship in Germany?

But under German law, such a person has to choose between American and German citizenship before turning 23. While Germany recognizes the concept of dual nationality, for most purposes it considers a dual national in Germany a German citizen only.

How to become a dual national in Germany?

Dual Citizenship – Germany/USA. A child born in Germany to two American parents may also become a dual national at birth. But under German law, such a person has to choose between American and German citizenship before turning 23. While Germany recognizes the concept of dual nationality, for most purposes it considers a dual national in Germany…

Which is the second type of German citizenship?

The second type of German citizenship is by right of blood or Jus Sanguinis. This means that you have at least one German parent and it does not take into account whether you were born in Germany or not.

Can a child be born in Germany and become an US citizen?

Neither country requires a person born under these circumstances to choose between American and German citizenship. They may keep both for life. A child born in Germany to two American parents may also become a dual national at birth.