German citizenship for children: birth in Germany and naturalisation

A child is German from birth if one parent is German. A child born in Germany to foreign parents is also automatically German if, at the time of birth, one parent has lived lawfully in Germany for five years and holds an unlimited right of residence. If neither applies, your child can be naturalised together with you (Miteinbürgerung): under 16 there is no citizenship test and the fee is €51. From 16, young people apply on their own.

Born in Germany: when a child is automatically German

Since 2000, Germany has combined citizenship by descent with citizenship by place of birth (ius soli). Under § 4(3) StAG, a child of foreign parents becomes German at birth in Germany if one parent meets both conditions:

• They have lived lawfully and habitually in Germany for at least five years.
• On the day of the birth they hold an unlimited right of residence, such as a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or an EU long-term residence permit (Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU). For citizens of other EU or EEA countries, the right of free movement counts as an unlimited right of residence; for Swiss citizens, the residence permit under the free movement agreement.

Until 26 June 2024 the parent needed eight years of residence; since 27 June 2024 it is five. Time spent with a Duldung (temporary suspension of deportation) doesn't count. If your child was born before the reform and didn't become German at the time, naturalisation – for example together with you – is usually the way.

You don't have to apply. When you register the birth, the registry office (Standesamt) asks about your residence status and checks it with the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). The result is noted in the birth register, and parents are normally informed.

No more option duty: both nationalities stay

In the past, many of these children had to choose between German and their parents' nationality as young adults. This option duty (Optionspflicht) was abolished without replacement on 27 June 2024. Your child keeps German citizenship for good, alongside the parents' nationality. People who used to be subject to the option duty and hadn't lost German citizenship by the time of the reform keep it too.

Whether your child also receives your home country's nationality depends on that country's law – check with its embassy if in doubt. More in dual citizenship in Germany.

Children with a German parent

If one parent is German at the time of birth, the child is German too (§ 4(1) StAG). This also applies if that parent was naturalised – as long as the naturalisation certificate was handed over before the birth. If only the father is German and the parents aren't married, paternity must be legally acknowledged or established by a court.

There is a special rule for births abroad (§ 4(4) StAG): if the German parent was themselves born abroad after 31 December 1999 and lives there, the child only becomes German if an application to record the birth in the German birth register is made within one year of the birth. You can also file it in time with the German embassy or consulate. The exception: the child would otherwise be stateless.

In mixed couples where one partner is German, also read German citizenship through marriage: minor children of the non-German partner can be naturalised with them even if they haven't lived in Germany for three years.

Joint naturalisation: children naturalised with their parents

When a parent is naturalised, children who are already born do not become German automatically. They have to be included. Under § 10(2) StAG this is possible even if the child hasn't lived in Germany for five years. Authorities work with these guidelines:

• The child has lived in Germany for about three years.
• If the child is under six, it is enough that it has spent half its life here immediately before naturalisation.
• A child under 16 should be naturalised with you if you have custody and you live together as a family in Germany.

Children under 16 face much lighter requirements. Instead of a B1 certificate they need German that is appropriate for their age. They take no citizenship test and make no declaration of commitment. Parents apply on their behalf; with joint custody, the authority usually needs the other parent's consent.

The fee for a child without its own income who is naturalised with a parent is €51. A minor naturalised alone pays €255. Ideally, apply for your child at the same time as for yourself – at the latest before you receive your naturalisation certificate. All fees: German citizenship cost.

From 16: teenagers apply themselves

At 16, young people can file their own application – and then generally have to meet the requirements themselves. Even joint naturalisation from 16 usually requires that they could qualify on their own. That means B1 German, the citizenship test and the commitment to the free democratic basic order.

School can make this much easier:

• Language proof: four years of successful attendance at a German-speaking school, or moving up to year 10 at a Realschule, Gymnasium or Gesamtschule, counts as proof of B1.
• Test and language: a German Hauptschulabschluss (lower secondary school certificate) or higher covers both the language proof and the citizenship test.
• Fees: without their own income, 16- and 17-year-olds naturalised with a parent also pay only €51.

If your teenager does need the test, a study plan helps spread the 310 relevant questions over a few weeks. Who is exempt from the test or the language proof is explained in who doesn't have to take the German citizenship test.

Which situation leads to which result?