The amendment to the law offers the possibility of obtaining German citizenship to all the descendants of citizens, residents, or subjects who lived in Germany and left it between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945
In August 2021, a law came into force that significantly expands the pool of those entitled to German citizenship. Many Jews emigrated to Germany from Poland and other countries during the 1920s and 1930s.
Most of these Jews lived in Germany as subjects or residents, but were not German citizens.
These Jews and their descendants, without generational constraint, are entitled to German citizenship, provided that they lived in Germany prior to Hitler’s rise to power on January 30, 1933, and left it by May 8, 1945, the date of the collapse of the Nazi regime.
With regard to minors, the residency requirement is less stringent and they are also eligible if they resided in Germany after January 30, 1933, provided that they left it by May 8, 1945.
Unlike past laws, it is immaterial whether the person applying for citizenship holds another foreign nationality or served in a foreign army.
German citizenship can be passed down from generation to generation, and it is possible to “skip” generations.
So for example, an Israeli-born grandson or great-grandson of a Holocaust survivor who emigrated from Germany during the relevant period, is entitled to receive German citizenship even if his father did not receive it.
A minor over the age of 16 can apply for German citizenship independently, whereas a minor under the age of 16 must submit the application for German citizenship together with the consent of both his parents.
Spouses of naturalized Germans are not automatically entitled to receive German citizenship.
The granting of German citizenship to spouses is conditional upon at least 5 years of cohabitation in Germany, and even then, it is not guaranteed but depends on the circumstances of each case.
Over 20 years of experience in the field
Although the amendment to the law expands the circle of those entitled, establishing eligibility remains a complex process which is predicated on the production of appropriate German documentation. Moreover, notarized translations of documents into German must be submitted to establish the link between the Holocaust survivor and the applicant, his descendant.
The entire process, including the accompanying paperwork, is conducted in the German language and requires extensive knowledge and professional expertise.
Our firm has over 20 years of experience in handling European citizenship matters.
The firm also retains genealogists who locate archived documents in Israel and Germany which are required in order to establish the legal basis for obtaining German citizenship.
The German passport is one of the “strongest” passports in the world.
It is ranked second in the Henley & Partners Index, a global ranking of countries based on the degree of freedom of movement that their citizens enjoy in other countries around the world.
Advantages of the German passport
The holder of a German passport is entitled, inter alia, to free movement and to work and reside without restrictions in all EU member states, to free or significantly discounted education in EU countries, access to social benefits for EU residents, visa-free entry to the United States, less stringent conditions for obtaining a US, Canadian and Australian Green Card, entry to countries which cannot be entered on an Israeli passport, and benefits for business people, such as favorable conditions for obtaining a mortgage for property purchases within the EU, etc.
Those entitled to German citizenship are advised to act expeditiously and begin the process of obtaining German citizenship right away
Those entitled to German citizenship are advised to act expeditiously and begin the process of obtaining German citizenship right away, since citizenship laws tend to change, especially in light of the shifting political climate within the country, and such changes can often be detrimental and occur without warning.
