German citizenship lawyer law firm

Due to the new reforms in the issuance of German citizenship, thousands of Israelis will now be able to obtain a European passport. In this article, a German citizenship lawyer will explain the recent reforms and who is now eligible to receive a German passport. Our law firm, which specializes in German citizenship, has many years of experience in obtaining European passports for our clients.

German Citizenship Lawyer

Last June (2020), the Bundestag (the German Parliament) amended the new German nationality law with regard to Nazi victims and their descendants. From now on, many people will be able to obtain German citizenship more easily than they could before, and without having to meet complicated restrictions concerning specific years of birth or gender differences.

The law was changed due to broader reforms made in neighboring Austria, where the same restrictions were already lifted in September 2019. In the past, obtaining German citizenship was considered to be a complex bureaucratic matter, which made it difficult for applicants to conclude the process successfully and become German citizens. In addition, many applicants were deemed unqualified or were rejected over the years, due to “noncompliance” with the authorities’ requirements, which were not always easily understandable.

Moreover, strict and meticulous requirements caused applicants to be disqualified due to having parents with additional citizenships or due to gender, as mentioned above, since descendants of a German mother were usually not recognized by the German legislature. In fact, citizenship was conditional on the father (grandfather etc) being a past German citizen.

However, because of the many difficulties and required conditions, it was eventually decided to use a special clause that specifically related to past German citizens who had connections to Nazi Germany; namely, anyone who left Germany between 1933 and 1945, and whose citizenship was cancelled due to political, religious, or racial reasons. The clause that was used was Section 116 of the German nationality law.

German Citizenship Lawyer

Along with the above, the German government made additional amendments that allow soldiers, civil servants, and people with more than one citizenship to receive a German passport. In general, the amendment makes it significantly easier for people who have connections with Nazi Germany to obtain citizenship than for those who do not have such connections.

From the legal perspective, despite the fact that the process is now much easier, it is still complicated, and requires professional assistance by a skilled lawyer, who must verify that the applicant is indeed eligible to German citizenship, and then submit the application along with all the required paperwork. The legal process requires editing and translating of documents into the German language, which prove past German citizenship or cancellation of such citizenship. After that, the documents must undergo notarization, and then evidence of family connections between the applicant and the past German citizen must be presented.

Obtaining German Citizenship – Conclusion

Thanks to the new laws and the relief from past restrictions, today tens of thousands of Israelis can enjoy a European passport that will open many opportunities for them. For example, receiving citizenship makes it unnecessary to obtain a visa to the USA.

Other exceptional advantages of holding the passport are the right to enter, live, and work indefinitely in any of the countries belonging to the European Union. As a country with an advanced welfare system, a solid economic status (the strong European economy), an excellent quality of life, and advanced social services, the significance of this valuable passport is understandable.

It is advisable to contact a reputable law firm that is familiar with the German regulations and has professional knowledge about submitting documents. The firm should also be familiar with the work of translation and all other required legal services. More than once we have come across clients who, due to careless work on the part of their lawyers, were refused citizenship by the German authorities. Therefore, it is important to seek advice and make sure that the professional who is assisting you has indeed gained enough knowledge and experience over the years.

We recommend submitting your application immediately so that you will be among the first to be served by the German embassy and will not have to wait for long, since the waiting time may be crucial and cause months of delay. It is also possible, and even recommended, to join together and apply as a family or group to quicken the process, enjoy more attractive costs, and avoid future regulations which may create difficulties in obtaining citizenship.

For information about obtaining Austrian citizenship according to the new law, click here.

Contact Us – German Passport Lawyers

Our law firm, which specializes in obtaining a German passport, has branches in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. For initial inquiries about obtaining German citizenship, you are welcome and even encouraged to contact us via the email address or phone number listed below.