Added
added the § 5 StAG declaration pathway as a separate record after verifying the ten-year deadline, eligible classes and fee-free status Source
Minimum cost
—
application fee
Timeline
—
Visa-free access
185
passport rank #4
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Overview
- Country
- Germany
- Program
- German Citizenship by Declaration under Section 5 StAG
- Local name
- Erklärungserwerb nach § 5 StAG
- Type
- Citizenship Restoration
- Status
- Active
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 185 destinations
- Passport rank
- #4 (Henley Index)
Eligible people born after May 23, 1949, and their descendants can acquire German citizenship by declaration when historical gender-discriminatory nationality rules prevented acquisition by birth or caused loss of citizenship. Qualifying groups include certain children of German mothers or fathers, children affected by loss through marriage or legitimation, and descendants of those groups. The declaration must reach the Federal Office of Administration by August 19, 2031.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $0
- Passport fee
- $275
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- No limit
- Ancestor citizenship
- Must have been citizen
- Gender restriction
- Historical gender-discriminatory exclusions specified in Section 5 StAG
- Application deadline
- Aug 19, 2031
Family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Spouse
- Not included
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #4 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 185 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- Yes
- Schengen access
- Yes
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
How to apply
- Method
- Online, in person
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Deadline
- Official website
- www.germany.info
- Legal basis
- Section 5 Nationality Act (StAG), introduced by the Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act (August 20, 2021)
Notes and caveats
The entitlement began on August 20, 2021 and lasts ten years. Section 38(3) StAG makes acquisition by declaration fee-free. The law applies eligibility exclusions, including certain persons who previously acquired and later lost or renounced German citizenship. This is distinct from ordinary citizenship by descent under § 4 StAG and from restitution naturalization under Article 116(2) or § 15 StAG.
Also in Germany
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source