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Citizenship; examination of the acquisition of German citizenship at birth in Germany
The registry office checks whether a child of foreign parents has acquired German citizenship by birth in Germany in accordance with Section 4 (3) of the Citizenship Act.
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Procedure details
Description
Since June 27, 2024, a child born in Germany to foreign parents acquires German citizenship at birth in Germany if at least one parent on the day of the child's birth
- has been legally and habitually resident in Germany for 5 years and
- has a permanent right of residence or, as a Swiss national or family member, a residence permit on the basis of the Agreement of June 21, 1999 between the European Community and its Member States and the Swiss Confederation on the free movement of persons.
The child of foreign parents generally acquires foreign citizenship at birth in addition to German citizenship. It is therefore a multiple nationality.
Legal bases
Related links
Related issues
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Naturalization; application for the granting of German citizenship to foreigners entitled to naturalization (naturalization claim)
A foreigner living in Germany is entitled to naturalization under certain conditions.
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Naturalization; application for the granting of German citizenship to foreigners without a claim to naturalization (discretionary naturalization)
Foreigners who do not or do not yet meet the requirements for naturalization can be naturalized at their discretion, provided certain conditions are met.
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Applying for German citizenship as a foreign national with habitual residence abroad
If you live abroad, have close ties to Germany and would like to acquire German citizenship, you can apply for naturalization.
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Citizenship; application for determination of German citizenship
In cases of doubt, the administration can make a generally binding decision as to whether or not German citizenship exists.
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Citizenship; application to renounce German citizenshipGerman nationals who hold several citizenships can renounce their German citizenship.
Status: 13.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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