Citizenship; Application to Renounce German Citizenship

There are cases in which individuals with multiple nationalities must or wish to renounce their German citizenship, for example, because they intend to join the military or civil service of another country (of which they are also a citizen) or to assume a political office there. In such cases, it is possible to renounce German citizenship.

A certificate of renunciation is issued as proof of the renunciation of German citizenship.

• Proof of foreign citizenship
• No grounds for denial

The application for an exemption must be submitted in writing to the competent district administrative authority (district office/independent city).

Many authorities now allow applications to be submitted online or, alternatively, in paper form.

The waiver certificate is issued by the competent authority after reviewing the eligibility requirements and grounds for denial.

Renunciation of German citizenship takes effect on the date the certificate of renunciation is issued, which is typically done by the competent authority. Please note that from this point on, German authorities will treat you as a foreign national. Upon delivery of the document, your German passport and/or identity card will be confiscated.

If you are an active civil servant, judge, soldier, or otherwise employed under public law, you may renounce German citizenship only if you have been permanently residing abroad for at least 10 years.

Renouncing German citizenship may also have implications for an existing public-sector employment relationship (civil service status) or for current or future pension benefits (e.g., retirement pension, orphan’s allowance, widow’s allowance).

Please check with your employer or your payroll office before submitting your application to determine whether and to what extent renouncing German citizenship might result in any (financial) disadvantages for you.

• Application forms are available from the relevant authority or through the online application process
• Proof of foreign citizenship (usually a national passport)
• Approval from the German family court for applicants who are minors or adults under guardianship
  

  For applicants who are minors or adults under legal guardianship, renouncing German citizenship is possible only with the approval of the German family court (at the local court). You must apply for and carry out the corresponding court proceedings on your own.

• Certificate of Eligibility Issued by the Military Service Replacement Authority for Persons Subject to Compulsory Military Service Under Section 1 of the Compulsory Military Service Act (WPflG)
  

  For individuals subject to compulsory military service under Section 1 of the Compulsory Military Service Act (WPflG), an exemption is possible only if the military service substitution authorities (Bundeswehr Career Centers) have no objections. This applies regardless of the fact that compulsory military service has been suspended since July 1, 2011. The certificate of no objection is therefore currently issued on a regular basis.

There is no fee for the waiver process.