Loss by Acquisition of a Foreign Citizenship

The most frequent reason for a person to lose German citizenship was that a foreign citizenship was acquired upon application without first obtaining a German letter of retention. Exception: Since 28.08.2007, becoming a citizen of another EU country or of Switzerland did not lead to the loss of German citizenship.

Were you naturalised in another country when you were still a minor?

You may still have lost German citizenship if you got naturalised together with your parents. Please contact your German Mission for further information.

Loss by Permanently Emigrating before 1914

Before 1914, a person who took up permanent residence outside of Germany for longer than 10 years, lost German citizenship unless he/she registered with the local German Consulate in the so-called “Konsulatsmatrikel” or continued to apply for German passports.

Are you trying to show that German citizenship carried through to you from a German citizen who emigrated before 1904? Then this reason for loss of citizenship is pivotal for you: If your ancestor did not register with the Consulate regularly, he lost German citizenship after 10 years of leaving Germany and could no longer pass on citizenship to the next generation.

Loss by Adoption

From 01.01.1977 to 27.06.2024 the law stipulated that a German child which was adopted by foreign parents and subsequently no longer legally related to a German parent, lost German citizenship if he/she obtained the citizenship of the adoptive parents at the same time.

Until 31.12.1976 and as of the 27.06.2024 one did/does not lose German citizenship by being adopted.

Loss by Entry into Foreign Armed Forces

Since 01.01.2000 the law stipulates: A German citizen who voluntarily enters into foreign armed forces or other foreign armed units loses German citizenship unless he/she would become stateless or unless he/she obtained consent from the German Department of Defence prior to contracting their commission.

Loss does not apply to persons who enter armed forces due to compulsory conscription.

Loss by Legitimation

Legitimation meant that a child born out of wedlock became legitimised when the parents subsequently got married and the child subsequently obtained citizenship from the father. Were you born out of wedlock to a German mother and was your father not a German citizen?
Choose the date of your parents' marriage:

Loss by Marriage

In the past, a woman could lose German citizenship when she got married to a foreigner. Choose the date of marriage:

Loss by Renounciation

A German may renounce his/her citizenship, provided that he/she does not become a stateless person. Read here