German citizenship by descent through chain-of-transmission rules. Complex eligibility depends on birth date, parents' marital status, and gender of the German parent. The 2024 StARModG reform allows dual citizenship (effective June 27, 2024) but does not retroactively repair past losses. Children born after Jan 1, 1975 to at least one German parent automatically acquire citizenship regardless of parents' marital status or parent's gender.
Chain-of-transmission rules are extremely complex and depend on the year of birth, parents' marital status, and which parent was German. Key dates: Pre-1914 (Imperial era), 1914-1953 (Weimar/Nazi/post-war), 1953-1975 (gender restrictions), post-1975 (equal treatment). Since June 27, 2024, Germany permits unrestricted dual citizenship — but this does NOT retroactively restore citizenship lost by ancestors who naturalized abroad. Born abroad to German parent after 1999: must register birth within 1 year or citizenship is lost.
- Freiberufler Visa (digital nomad visa)
- Germany Freelance Visa (freelancer)