Germany is one of the main destinations for migration in Europe, and it has a distinctive legal framework for granting citizenship to children born on its territory. For families already living in Germany, or planning a long stay, the birth of a child is often seen as a significant moment.
Citizenship by birth in Germany and immigration to Germany through that route affect the child’s status directly, and in some cases they shape the parents’ position too. What follows looks closely at the legal basis, the documents required and the practical points that matter when a child is born in Germany.
Jus soli and jus sanguinis in German nationality law
German nationality law combines two principles: jus sanguinis, citizenship through parentage, and jus soli, citizenship through place of birth. The weight still sits with jus sanguinis. Between them, these two principles determine how a person acquires German citizenship, either through a parent or through birth on German soil.
Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Under this principle, a child with at least one German parent acquires German citizenship regardless of where the birth takes place. Specific conditions apply to children born outside Germany:
- If the German parent was themselves born abroad after 31 December 1999 and does not have their ordinary residence in Germany, the child does not acquire citizenship automatically.
- In that case the birth must be registered with a German embassy or consulate within one year of the birth for citizenship to be granted.
Place of birth (Jus Soli)
Jus soli grants German citizenship to children born on German territory, but only under defined conditions:
- Since 27 June 2024, a child born in Germany acquires German citizenship at birth if at least one parent has been lawfully resident in Germany for at least five years and holds a permanent right of residence at the time of the birth.
- The former “obligation to choose” (Optionspflicht), which required children born in Germany to foreign parents to choose between German citizenship and that of their parents, has been abolished.
These children can now hold dual nationality, and no choice is required.
The 2024 reform and dual nationality
The reform of German nationality law (StARModG), in force since 27 June 2024, made several important changes:
- Dual nationality is now generally accepted. A person who acquires German citizenship no longer has to give up their previous nationality, and German citizens who acquire a foreign nationality keep their German citizenship without needing prior permission.
- The residence period for naturalisation has been reduced from eight years to five. In special cases, where the applicant shows exceptional integration, it can be as short as three years.
Read more: A full guide to residence and immigration to Germany through marriage
How children born in Germany acquire German citizenship
Children born in Germany can acquire German citizenship through the routes set out below:
| Parents' status at the time of the child's birth | Child's citizenship status |
|---|---|
| At least one parent holds German citizenship | The child acquires German citizenship automatically |
| Both parents are non-German, but at least one of them: - has lived legally and continuously in Germany for 5 years - and holds a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or equivalent | The child acquires German citizenship automatically |
| Neither parent meets the conditions above | The child does not acquire German citizenship, but may become eligible later through a naturalisation application |
What the birth of a child in Germany means for the parents
It has to be said plainly: the birth of a child in Germany does not by itself give the parents residence or citizenship. It can, however, affect the parents’ position in certain circumstances. The points below cover how this works in practice.
1. Parents with lawful permanent residence
If at least one parent holds permanent residence, such as a Niederlassungserlaubnis or an EU long-term residence permit, and has been lawfully resident in Germany for at least five years, a child born in Germany acquires German citizenship at birth.
The parents’ own residence status does not change as a result. The birth can, though, count in their favour later when they apply for naturalisation themselves.
2. Parents with temporary or no lawful status
If the parents hold a temporary residence permit, or are in Germany without lawful status, the birth of a child does not give the parents residence or citizenship.
In these cases the parents have to apply for or renew their own permits separately.
Read more: The cost of living in Germany
Documents needed to register a child’s German citizenship
The documents required to register a child’s German citizenship depend on the parents’ circumstances. They are set out below by situation.
1. Children with at least one German parent (descent, Jus Sanguinis)
- The child’s birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde)
- The German parent’s passport or identity card
- Evidence of the parent’s German citizenship, such as a certificate of citizenship, a citizenship card or a German passport
- The parents’ marriage documents
- Evidence of the German parent’s residence abroad, if the child was born outside Germany
2. Children of foreign parents (place of birth, Jus Soli)
- The child’s birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde)
- The parents’ passports
- Evidence of the parents’ lawful residence in Germany, such as a settlement permit or an EU residence card
- Evidence that one parent has been continuously resident in Germany for at least five years, such as registration certificates or tenancy agreements
- The parents’ marriage documents, if applicable
For fuller detail on citizenship by birth in Germany and the relevant forms, see the official German Federal Foreign Office website.
Read more: A full guide to the German Blue Card
What German citizenship gives a child
German citizenship acquired at birth brings a child several practical advantages:
- The right to live and study in Germany and the EU: children with German citizenship can live, study and work in Germany and in other EU countries without a visa.
- Access to social and health services: German citizenship gives access to the social welfare system, health insurance and free or low-cost education.
- Voting rights and political participation: on reaching voting age, German citizens can vote and take part in democratic life.
- The option of dual nationality: the recent reform allows children to keep German citizenship alongside that of their parents.
- A wider range of career options: German citizenship opens up more employment opportunities in Germany and across the EU.
Costs of registering a child’s German citizenship
| Service | Amount (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth registration in Germany (Standesamt) | 80 | Official registration of the child's birth |
| Issuance of a German birth certificate | 12 | For a child born in Germany |
| Choice of name under foreign law (if elected) | 80 | Where the name is given under the parents' home-country law |
| Passport for applicants under 24 | 37.50 | Standard passport, valid 6 years; the children's passport was abolished on 1 January 2024; EUR 70.00 for applicants aged 24 and over |
| Passport with extra pages (48 pages) | +22.00 | Additional fee |
| Express service | +32 | Where faster issuance is needed |
| Certificate of nationality (Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis) | 51 | For formal proof of nationality |
| Negative certificate of nationality (if refused) | 51 | To prove absence of German nationality |
| Translation and certification of documents (if required) | Variable | Depends on the type and number of documents, country of origin and certified translation rates |
| Postal and consular service fees | Variable | Where the application is made through a German embassy or consulate abroad |
Fees change over time, so check the current figures with your local registry office (Standesamt) or the German embassy or consulate before you start.
Key points on citizenship by birth in Germany
- The birth of a child in Germany may help the parents when they later apply for permanent residence or naturalisation, but nothing is granted to the parents automatically.
- Parents who want to change their own residence status after the birth should speak to their local immigration office (Auslanderbehorde).
- If the child is born outside Germany and the German parent was also born abroad after 31 December 1999 without ordinary residence in Germany, the birth must be registered with a German embassy or consulate within one year for citizenship to be granted.
- If the documents are incomplete, registration can be delayed or refused.
- Where a child is born in Germany and at least one parent is a German citizen or holds permanent residence, the process is simpler and cheaper.
- In unusual or complex cases, such as a birth abroad or a claim to citizenship through descent, it is worth taking advice from an immigration lawyer or the relevant authority.
Frequently asked questions
- I am married to a German citizen. Can I apply for German citizenship?
Yes, subject to the other conditions, provided you have been lawfully resident in the Federal Republic of Germany for at least three years and have been married for at least two years. - Can I obtain German citizenship without living in Germany?
In principle it is possible. Command of German and demonstrable ties to Germany matter, as does evidence that you would not need state support after moving there. Other conditions apply as well. - How can German citizenship be lost?
Since the reform of 27 June 2024, a German citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality no longer loses German citizenship, and no prior retention permit is required. Loss of citizenship is now limited to a small number of situations set out in the Nationality Act, such as a formal renunciation.
