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{"id":93486,"date":"2023-06-30T14:26:28","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T11:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawoffice.org.il\/%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%9a-%d7%9c%d7%a7%d7%91%d7%9c%d7%aa-%d7%93%d7%a8%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%9f-%d7%92%d7%a8%d7%9e%d7%a0%d7%99\/"},"modified":"2023-06-30T14:41:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T11:41:15","slug":"guide-to-german-passport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawfirmbackup_200125.k1uagm.ap-southeast-2.wpstaqhosting.com\/en\/guide-to-german-passport\/","title":{"rendered":"Obtaining a German passport: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you may know, for over two years now the German legislature has significantly broadened the criteria for obtaining German citizenship for descendants of Holocaust survivors<\/a>, thereby easing the conditions for them in an unprecedented manner. In this article we will present the complete guide to obtaining a German passport for those eligible \u2013 ascertaining eligibility, obtaining the required documents, presenting them to the German authorities and obtaining the passport for the new German citizen and their immediate family members.<\/p>\n

German passport attorney<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Our office specializes in the process of obtaining German citizenship and German passport<\/a>s. Our experts have already helped many descendants of victims of Nazi persecution in the 1930s and 1940s in Germany and Austria to obtain the desired European citizenship, whether it is German or Austrian<\/a>. If you also have a father, mother, grandmother or grandfather, great-grandfather or great-grandmother who lived in Germany during this period, it is highly likely that you too are eligible for a German passport.<\/p>\n

\"Obtaining<\/p>\n

The Law of Return in Germany \u2013 German citizenship for descendants of Holocaust survivors<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Former German citizens can regain their previous citizenship<\/a> if it was revoked or lost during the Nazi regime. This applies to their descendants as well, i.e. \u2013 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who are also entitled to submit an application. This is an unprecedented reform that was legislated over two years ago by the German parliament.<\/p>\n

The reform was legislated based primarily on historical ethical considerations, particularly the ongoing desire of the German government to compensate for the terrible crimes that Nazi Germany inflicted on its Jewry. In addition, the German legislature is aware of the fact that Israeli immigration is considered to be of high quality and that it can contribute significantly to the German economy, certainly in the long run.<\/p>\n

Who is the German passport actually intended for?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Anyone who can prove that they or their ancestors lived in Germany or entered the country as immigrants starting in the 1930s (and even before) is eligible<\/a> for a German passport. It is important to state that over 100,000 Jewish refugees were expelled from Eastern European countries (especially Poland), or fled due to anti-Semitism that prevailed there, and came to Germany. As mentioned, today these people also meet the updated criteria, along with their descendants.<\/p>\n

If you believe that you are eligible, you must first provide official documents proving that the persecution victim did indeed live\/reside in Germany in the period between 31 January 1933 \u2013 8 May 1945. The list of required documents is provided further down in the article. According to estimates, there are approximately 200,000 Israelis who are eligible to apply for the passport that is considered to be the most desirable one in Europe.<\/p>\n

German citizenship for Nazi persecution victims<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As part of the German Parliament\u2019s reparations arrangement, two essential sections were established in the German Citizenship Law in 2021<\/a>. The first is section<\/strong> 116 <\/strong>which allows those whose German citizenship was revoked between January<\/strong> 1933 and May<\/strong> 1945 to regain their citizenship. As mentioned, this also applies to their descendants, without a limit on the number of generations.<\/p>\n

The next section that entered into force not long ago is Section 15<\/strong> of the German Citizenship Law. This section refers to Jews who permanently resided<\/strong> in Germany in the years indicated above (and even before<\/strong>), but due to persecution by the authorities did not receive citizenship. In cases such as these, it is required to prove a connection to Germany through documents such as a birth certificate, passport, medical\/bank certificates, or any official document that shows a connection to Germany in these years.<\/p>\n

The process of obtaining citizenship applies to biological and adopted children. Also, under both sections it is not required that the grandchild or great-grandchild naturalize the parent first in order to receive the citizenship. In other words, “jumping generations” is absolutely possible. In addition, it is not necessary for the parents or grandparents on whom the application is based to be alive.<\/p>\n

So what are the reforms?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Following the historic legislation and the significant expansion of the pool of eligible people, many will now be able to apply for citizenship. We have compiled for you the fundamental amendments that we considered important to present to you, from a wider assortment existing in the German Citizenship Law. The fundamental amendments were drafted in the last two years and aim to significantly simplify the eligibility criteria. Here are the essential instructions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. IDF service<\/strong> \u2013 there is no obstacle for applicants who serve or have served mandatory service in the IDF, or in a foreign army, to submit an application. Those who have previously served in career army service are also eligible to submit an application. Please note<\/strong>, however, that current career army service will disqualify your application and if you already have German citizenship, expect it be to revoked.<\/li>\n
  2. Annulling the gender issue<\/strong> \u2013 applicants who are descendants of a woman who was a victim of Nazi persecution and lost her citizenship or was prevented from becoming a citizen, will be able to apply just the same as descendants of men who were victims. The aforementioned is also valid in the event that the person on whom the application is based has divorced or remarried. This is a progressive amendment compared to the previous version of the law<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Civil servants<\/strong> \u2013 anyone who holds a position in the public sector such as a government official, teacher, etc. will be able to apply without hindrance.<\/li>\n
  4. There is no requirement to give up Israeli citizenship<\/strong> \u2013 obtaining German citizenship does not oblige you to give up any other citizenship, whether it is Israeli, American or another one.<\/li>\n
  5. There is no requirement to live in Germany<\/strong> \u2013 applicants will not be asked to come to Germany during their naturalization procedure. In fact, they won\u2019t even have to live in Germany or come to Germany to obtain the citizenship certificate. There is an alternative for this purpose \u2013 the German embassy.<\/li>\n
  6. Exemption from knowledge of German<\/strong> \u2013 language proficiency and language tests are no longer required among new citizens whose ancestors were connected to Nazi Germany. In fact, in the current format there are no tests regarding German history or culture as before.\"guide<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Explanation regarding proof of persecution<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    A question that often arises among our firm’s clients is \u2013 how can it be proven that the relative considered the Nazi persecution victim was indeed persecuted? The answer is quite simple \u2013 the German Jews who left Germany between the aforementioned years are considered to have been persecuted simply because they were Jews. Therefore, there is no need to show official proof of persecution. Remaining documents or reparations paid to the persecuted will constitute clear evidence of a past German connection.<\/p>\n

    Documents required to obtain German citizenship<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    As in any naturalization procedure based on familial roots in any country, you will be asked to produce documents that prove a connection between the family member considered the persecution victim and Germany. As mentioned, this refers to a connection between the years 1933-1945. The second step is to fill out a questionnaire about the person who has the connection and your relationship to him or her. After filling out the questionnaire, you will be invited to the embassy in order to continue the process with the relevant authorities. It is recommended to fill out the questionnaire with the assistance of an experienced professional in order not to make mistakes that may disqualify your application.<\/p>\n

    Archival research in order to locate lost documents<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Many customers contact us claiming that the documents they have are no longer legible due to the long time that has passed since they were printed or that they have simply been lost over the years. Here is the place to note that for centuries, Germany carefully preserved the documents of its citizens and residents in archives. Therefore, in such cases we can help locate old documents in the German archives.<\/p>\n