German Citizenship for Danzig – Gdansk expatriates

In recent months, the German Parliament has introduced a series of amendments pertaining to German citizenship law. These amendments offer many descendants of victims of Nazi persecution an expanded opportunity to obtain German citizenship.

Who Were the Jewish Residents of Danzig – Gdansk?

For over five centuries, a vibrant Jewish community thrived in the city, which, for most of its history, was known as Danzig, due to its affiliation with the Prussian Empire (which laid the foundation for what we now recognize as modern Germany). Over generations, the city’s Jewish residents included businessmen, industrialists, bankers, and successful merchants, along with renowned rabbis. Prominent figures among them included Meir Posner, Abraham Danzig, Dr. Yitzhak Landau, who established the city’s first Zionist branch, Elchanan Ashkenazi, Israel Lipshitz, and many more. Notably, a significant portion of the Jewish community had Russian roots and chose to migrate westward.

After World War I, under Treaty of Versailles, Danzig was designated as a Free City under the protection of the League of Nations. However, despite this status, approximately 90% of the local population, numbering around 350,000 residents, were of German descent. This demographic reality presented challenges, particularly during the rise of the Nazis in 1933, leading to the immediate ascension of the party in Danzig (known as Gdansk in Polish).

The Culmination of the Jewish Community in 1929

The zenith of the Jewish community in Danzig was in 1929 when it boasted nearly 10,000 members. During this period of growth, an impressive Neoclassical-style synagogue was constructed, reflecting the prevailing architectural style among the elite in Germany and France at the time. The grand synagogue accommodated over 2,000 worshipers. By 1937, the community had expanded to 12,000 individuals, but its social standing and resources had significantly declined.

As the Third Reich strengthened its power, Jewish residents began to leave the city due to increasing persecution (similar to the situation in Germany itself, where authorities portrayed Jews as parasites living off the blood of others and encouraged them to leave the country). The mass exodus culminated in 1937, as many Jews emigrated to the United States and Israel.

The Kristallnacht and World War II

In December 1938, during the infamous Kristallnacht, the grand synagogue was destroyed. With the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939, only around 1,200 Jews remained in the city, the majority of whom were elderly. The remaining individuals were sent to ghettos or labor camps throughout Europe.

These historical events underscore the significance of the new regulations passed by the German Bundestag, which grant German citizenship to the descendants of those who left the city beginning January 30, 1933 – the date of the Nazi party’s rise to power. By exploring the eligibility of Danzig’s Jewish community for German citizenship, we shed light on their complex history and enduring legacy.

German Citizenship for Danzig Expatriates

Germany now recognizes Gdansk, which once had a substantial Jewish population, as an influential and persecuted area. As a result, Germany grants German citizenship for Danzig – Gdansk expatriates and their descendants – anyone who can prove that their great-grandparents left the region between 1933 and 1945.

This provision is a response to the extensive Nazi actions that reached many areas in Europe, leading to the escape of many Jewish people and, tragically, the deaths of millions. A formal document, such as a birth certificate, immigration record, marriage certificate, academic diploma, and more, attested by one of your direct paternal ancestors who lived in the mentioned region, can establish your eligibility.

Our offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have frequently encountered clients who lack the required documents and are unsure how to proceed in such cases. It is essential to highlight that searching local archives can be conducted to verify the existence of these documents. In many instances, our offices have successfully located the necessary records and assisted our clients in obtaining German citizenship.

Additionally, our office specializes in facilitating the acquisition of Austrian citizenship under the new law. Both Germany and Austria have opened their doors in recent years to a large population of Israelis and encourage descendants of persecuted individuals to file claims and obtain European citizenship.

Get in Touch

Our office employs a professional team with extensive experience in European citizenship acquisition, well-versed in the domestic laws of the mentioned countries. We also have translation departments that can assist in translating documents into German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and more. Contact us today to determine your eligibility.