Were your German ancestors deprived of their German citizenship by an official document during the Nazi era – or did they have to leave the then German territory due to Nazi persecution measures and lived abroad in 1941?
In this case, there may be a claim to compensation naturalization under Article 116 paragraph 2 of the Basic Law (GG).
According to Article 116, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law (GG), former German citizens who were deprived of their citizenship for political, racial or religious reasons between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945 – as well as their descendants – have a right to (re-)naturalization.
This special form of reparation naturalization serves the rehabilitation of victims of National Socialism. The Basic Law explicitly accepts dual or multiple nationality in order to enable those affected and their families to return to German citizenship.
Even if your ancestors were victims of National Socialist persecution but the requirements of Article 116 of the Basic Law do not directly apply, you may still be entitled to naturalization as compensation.
The Fourth Act Amending German Citizenship Law entered into force on August 20, 2021. In addition to the constitutional right, it provides an additional option for naturalization for Holocaust victims and their descendants on grounds of reparation.
Did your ancestors lose, renounce, or even fail to acquire German citizenship as a result of Nazi persecution between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945?
This was often the case when those affected left Germany and adopted another nationality abroad by applying for naturalization in order to escape persecution.
The loss of German citizenship does not have to have occurred during the Nazi era itself, but merely in connection with the persecution before February 26, 1955.
Even people whose ancestors never held German citizenship can be naturalized under certain conditions.
If your family had their habitual residence in Germany before January 30, 1933, and had to give this up between 1933 and 1945 due to persecution, you may also be entitled to naturalization as compensation.
No German language skills are required for naturalization, regardless of whether you or your family have lived abroad for generations.
The right to naturalization exists not only for those directly affected, but also for their descendants – that is, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other descendants in the descending line.
Children adopted before January 1, 1977, are also included if they were unable to acquire German citizenship through the adoption, but were affected by the fate of persecution like biological children.
There is no time limit on the application for naturalization as compensation. Naturalization due to persecution under National Socialism can therefore be applied for even many decades later.
Would you like to know whether you or your family members are entitled to reciprocal naturalization and can regain German citizenship?
Please feel free to contact me – I will review your documents and explain the legal options for regaining German citizenship as part of the compensation process.
Monday – Friday 9:00 – 18:00
