On this page
- What the Citizenship by Descent (Article 116) Covers — Germany citizenship by descent
- Application Process
- Fees and Processing Times
- Language and Integration Requirements
- Eligibility Requirements
- Why Citizenship Applications Get Denied
- Fees
- Required forms
- Related visa types
- Related guides
- Related goals
- Next steps
What the Citizenship by Descent (Article 116) Covers — Germany citizenship by descent
#Article 116 of the German Basic Law allows you to establish or restore German citizenship based on descent, especially if your family lost citizenship due to National Socialist persecution. This process isn’t the same as standard German naturalization and has its own legal pathway.
Purpose and scope
Article 116 is about confirming or restoring citizenship, not granting it through residency or integration. Use this route if you have German ancestors or if your family’s citizenship rights were revoked during the National Socialist era.
This procedure mainly applies to:
- Descendants of German citizens
- Descendants of individuals deprived of citizenship for political, racial, or religious reasons under National Socialist rule
It doesn’t function as a standard naturalization pathway. You don’t file an Form Einbürgerungsantrag for German Citizenship (Naturalization) under this article.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Article 116 (Citizenship by Descent) | German Citizenship (Naturalization) |
|---|---|
| Based on ancestry or restoration rights | Based on residence and integration |
| Focus on historical loss of citizenship | Focus on meeting legal residency criteria |
| Separate legal basis | Standard naturalization framework |
If you live abroad, this route lets you reclaim citizenship without needing a residence permit, Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa. Visa Exemption rules are separate from citizenship status.
Who manages the process
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) manages Article 116 applications. You submit directly to BAMF, which reviews whether you qualify to establish or restore German citizenship under the constitutional provision.
BAMF’s role here is different from its responsibilities in asylum matters. It evaluates your ancestral connection to a German citizen, whether citizenship was affected during the National Socialist era, and whether you meet the legal requirements for restoration.
If you apply from outside Germany, you still file through channels connected to BAMF. Local Ausländerbehörde offices don’t decide Article 116 cases.
Getting the official form
You need the official Citizenship by Descent (Article 116) application form from BAMF.
To get the current version:
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Visit the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
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Download the Article 116 citizenship form.
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Review the official instructions provided with the form.
Always use the latest version from BAMF. Outdated forms can delay your case.
Don’t substitute this form with a naturalization application like an Einbürgerungsantrag. Article 116 requires its own application and supporting documents as specified by BAMF.
Application Process
#You must file with the correct German authority, complete every required section, and submit clear evidence of how you acquired German citizenship through your ancestor. Missing documents or incomplete answers will delay review.
Where to file and special contacts
Where you file depends on your situation and where records were issued.
If you received a certificate of naturalization from a German domestic authority, contact that same authority for questions about your record.
If your certificate of naturalization is lost, contact the Federal Office of Administration to address the loss and request guidance.
For residence matters inside Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde handles permits such as a Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa. These are separate from citizenship by descent.
BAMF serves as the federal migration authority, but it doesn’t replace the office responsible for citizenship documentation in your case.
If you’re applying from abroad, consular services are managed by the Federal Foreign Office.
| Situation | Authority to Contact |
|---|---|
| Naturalization certificate issued in Germany | Issuing domestic authority |
| Lost naturalization certificate | Federal Office of Administration |
| Residence permit in Germany | Local Ausländerbehörde |
| Consular matters abroad | Federal Foreign Office |
Step-by-step filing
Follow the instructions for your specific eligibility category before starting. Requirements differ depending on your claim.
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Review the correct application form and instructions for your category.
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Complete all required sections.
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Provide details about yourself and your German ancestor.
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Sign the form where required.
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Submit the form with supporting evidence.
You need to document events that affected citizenship acquisition or loss, including births, marriages, naturalizations, and any formal loss of citizenship.
If your case involves deprivation of citizenship between 1933 and 1945 or other consequences of Nazi persecution, state this explicitly and provide supporting documentation.
Don’t confuse this process with a standard German Citizenship (Naturalization) application or an Form Einbürgerungsantrag. Citizenship by descent is based on different legal grounds.
What to include with your form
Your application must include documentary proof. The burden is on you to show how citizenship passed from your ancestor to you.
Include:
- Evidence of your ancestor’s German citizenship
- Proof of how and when citizenship was acquired
- Records showing whether citizenship was ever lost
- Documents relating to key life events (birth, marriage, naturalization)
- Evidence of citizenship deprivation between 1933 and 1945, if relevant
- Documentation showing other effects of Nazi persecution, if applicable
Provide full information about events in both your life and your ancestor’s life that affected citizenship status.
If you previously held German citizenship and lost your certificate, address that before filing.
Submit copies or official records as required for your eligibility category. Incomplete documentation leads to delays or requests for more evidence.
Fees and Processing Times
#There’s a government fee, and you’ll wait several months for a decision. The timeline depends on where and under which category you apply, so check details with the competent German authority before filing.
Application fee
The application fee for citizenship by descent is €51 (as of February 2026). This applies to standard applications in Germany or through a German mission abroad.
| Item | Amount (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by descent application | €51 | Per applicant |
You usually pay the fee when submitting your application. If you apply from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office processes your file through the relevant consulate.
Don’t confuse this fee with charges for German Citizenship (Naturalization) under an Form Einbürgerungsantrag, or with visa fees for a Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa. Those are separate with different costs.
Confirm the current amount with the authority handling your case before payment.
Standard processing time
Expect a processing time of 6 to 18 months under the standard procedure (as of March 2026). This range depends on your category and where you apply.
| Application Type | Standard Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by descent | 6–18 months |
Authorities review your lineage documents, civil records, and proof of eligibility during this period. Incomplete files add to the wait.
This timeline is different from residence-based routes like German Citizenship (Naturalization) or visa processing for a Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa.
Variations and verifying timelines
processing times vary based on your descent category, the reviewing authority, and whether you apply in Germany or through a German mission abroad.
If you live in Germany, the local authority responsible for nationality matters handles your case. If you apply from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office processes it through the relevant consulate.
Always verify current processing times with the issuing authority before submitting documents or making travel plans.
Citizenship by descent doesn’t require a Visa Exemption or residence permit while your application is pending. Any separate immigration status—such as a Family Reunion Visa or Spouse Visa—follows its own timeline.
Language and Integration Requirements
#You’re required to complete the entire citizenship by descent application in German. This covers the form and the overall procedure, no matter where you submit it.
Language requirement for filing
The whole application process must be in German. This includes your written application and all required forms related to your citizenship determination (Feststellung) or other nationality procedures.
German Citizenship (Naturalization) through an Form Einbürgerungsantrag follows the same rule: the application must be completed in German. The language requirement is about the filing process itself, not a separate language exam.
Key points:
- Complete the official application form in German.
- Submit written statements and explanations in German.
- Fill all required fields in German.
- File the application with the competent authority in German.
If you apply from abroad, you submit through the Federal Foreign Office’s consular services. If you’re in Germany, you deal with the local Ausländerbehörde. BAMF handles asylum matters, not citizenship by descent applications.
Visa categories such as Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa are separate. They don’t affect the requirement that your citizenship application must be in German.
How to complete the form in German
You must fill out every section of the official form in German. Don’t switch languages within the document.
Steps:
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Review the official instructions carefully.
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Enter all personal details using German terminology where required.
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Write explanations or additional statements in German.
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Check that no section remains in another language.
If you’re not fluent, seek professional translation or legal help before filing. You’re responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the German-language submission.
| Application Element | Must Be in German |
|---|---|
| Official application form | Yes |
| Written explanations/statements | Yes |
| Supporting cover letters | Yes |
| Entire filing procedure | Yes |
Don’t submit a partially translated form. Authorities expect a fully German-language application.
Consequences of not filing in German
Authorities require the entire procedure in German. If you submit documents or forms in another language, they may refuse to process your application.
This could mean:
- Non-acceptance of your filing
- Requests to resubmit the application in German
- Delays in determining your citizenship status
A rejected or unprocessed filing doesn’t move your case forward. It can affect related immigration plans, such as applications for a Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, Child Visa, or eligibility for a Visa Exemption based on German nationality.
Submit your application correctly the first time. A complete German-language filing helps prevent unnecessary delays and setbacks.
Eligibility Requirements
#German citizenship by descent here focuses on people who lost their citizenship due to National Socialist persecution. Your eligibility depends on whether you or your ancestors were stripped of citizenship between 1933 and 1945 or lost it because of that persecution.
Who qualifies under Article 116
You qualify if you were deprived of your German citizenship by the National Socialists between 1933 and
- This protection also extends to descendants.
If your parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor lost German citizenship during that period due to Nazi actions, you may assert a claim through that line.
Key elements you need to show:
- Your ancestor held German citizenship before deprivation.
- Citizenship was revoked between 1933 and 1945.
- The revocation resulted from National Socialist measures.
- You are a direct descendant of that person.
| Requirement | What You Must Demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Prior status | Ancestor was a German citizen |
| Timeframe | Loss occurred 1933–1945 |
| Cause | Deprivation by National Socialist authorities |
| Lineage | Direct family connection |
You don’t apply through a standard Form Einbürgerungsantrag for German Citizenship (Naturalization). Instead, you rely on restoration rights tied to unlawful deprivation.
For procedural guidance, consult BAMF and, if applying from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office.
Special categories tied to persecution
You might also qualify if your ancestor lost German citizenship in a way connected to Nazi persecution, even if there was no formal revocation order.
This covers situations where citizenship ended because of persecution policies, not just official decrees.
The key is the causal link to Nazi persecution, not the technical process that led to the loss.
You’ll need to show:
- Your ancestor held German citizenship.
- Citizenship ended due to persecution under the National Socialist regime.
- You’re a direct descendant.
| Scenario | Eligibility Basis |
|---|---|
| Formal revocation | Direct deprivation (1933–1945) |
| Other loss due to persecution | Indirect loss caused by Nazi measures |
These cases are about restoring status that was wrongfully taken.
They’re distinct from residence-based routes like a Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, Child Visa, or other residence permits issued by a local Ausländerbehörde.
Why Citizenship Applications Get Denied
#German citizenship by descent depends on documented proof of lineage and events that affected your family member’s nationality.
Authorities will refuse applications if you can’t prove those events or if there’s no clear legal basis for citizenship.
Common documentation problems
Most denials happen when evidence is missing or insufficient for events that directly affected German citizenship in your family.
You need to show who your German ancestor was and how their citizenship status changed over time.
If you can’t document the key events, the authority can’t confirm your claim.
Common problems include:
- Missing records of birth, marriage, or name changes
- No proof of a parent’s or grandparent’s German citizenship status
- No evidence of events that may have led to loss or retention of citizenship
- Inconsistent information across documents
| Documentation Issue | How It Affects Your Application |
|---|---|
| No proof of citizenship status | Authority cannot confirm eligibility |
| Missing civil records | Lineage cannot be legally verified |
| Unclear status-changing events | Citizenship continuity cannot be established |
Submitting an Form Einbürgerungsantrag or descent-based application doesn’t guarantee approval.
The reviewing authority decides strictly based on your documents.
Other causes for refusal
Applications also fail if you assume eligibility without showing the legal basis under German nationality law.
You have to prove that citizenship passed to you without interruption.
Relying on family stories without official records isn’t enough; statements from relatives can’t replace formal documentation.
Confusion between programs can cause trouble. German Citizenship (Naturalization) has different rules than citizenship by descent.
A Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, or Child Visa doesn’t grant citizenship and can’t replace proof of descent.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) (BAMF) handles asylum, not descent determinations.
Visa Exemption status doesn’t affect a citizenship-by-descent claim.
If you can’t show that citizenship legally passed to you, the authority will deny your application.
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application feeCitizenship by descent (Article 116) | €51 (approx $55 USD) |
Fees change; always verify on AA.
Next steps
#Use Find My Visa to build a sequenced plan with official sources and deadlines.
FAQs
Can my family join me in Germany?
If you’re recognized as a German citizen, your family might qualify for residence through family reunification.
Permits that apply include the Family Reunion Visa, Spouse Visa, and Child Visa.
The local Ausländerbehörde makes decisions on residence permits within Germany.
What does Germany citizenship by descent (Article 116) cover?
The Article 116 form is used to establish or restore German citizenship for people with German ancestors or whose citizenship rights were affected during the National Socialist era. It specifically addresses restoration for descendants of Nazi persecution and is handled by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF); applicants filing with BAMF use this form.
Who is eligible if an ancestor was deprived of citizenship between 1933 and 1945?
Persons who were deprived of their German citizenship by the National Socialists between 1933 and 1945 are entitled to naturalization; similarly, individuals who lost their German citizenship in other ways due to Nazi persecution can become German citizens.
Where do I file the Article 116 application and where do I get the form?
Applicants filing with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) should download the current citizenship-by-descent form and instructions from the BAMF website. If you received a certificate of naturalization from a German domestic authority, contact that authority; if the certificate is lost, contact the Federal Office of Administration.
What evidence and information do I need to submit?
You must provide information about events in your life and your ancestors' lives that are significant for acquiring or losing German citizenship, submit all necessary evidence of citizenship acquisition or loss, and include evidence of deprivation between 1933 and 1945 or other effects of Nazi persecution where applicable. Complete all required sections, sign the form, and submit it with the required evidence.
Must the application be completed in German?
Yes. The whole application procedure must be conducted in German and the application form must be completed in German. Submitting applications not conducted in German is not acceptable.
How much does the Article 116 application cost?
The application fee is €51 (approximately $55 USD) as of February 2026.
How long does processing take for citizenship by descent?
Standard processing time is 6 to 18 months. processing times vary by eligibility category and processing location, so verify current timelines with the issuing authority.
Does filing the citizenship-by-descent form guarantee approval?
No. Filing the form does not guarantee approval, and failure to provide evidence of events that significantly impacted German citizenship can affect the outcome.
Should I review instructions before I begin my application?
Yes. Download the current form and instructions from the BAMF website and review the instructions for your specific eligibility category before starting.
Official sources referenced
Last reviewed: 2026-03-13
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Next steps
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