Declaring renunciation of German citizenship in the event of habitual residence abroad

If you live abroad and have several citizenships, you can submit a declaration of renunciation of German citizenship under certain conditions.

If you live abroad, have several citizenships and wish to renounce your German citizenship, you can submit a declaration of renunciation of German citizenship. If the renunciation can be approved, you will be issued with a certificate of renunciation.

Permission will not be granted if you belong to the following professional groups, among others:

• active civil servants,
• judges,
• soldiers,

unless you have been living abroad permanently for at least 10 years.

If you are a minor, you can only renounce your German citizenship with the approval of the German family court responsible for you (at the local court). Minors from the age of 16 and up to the age of 18 must expressly agree to the declaration of renunciation.

You can also appoint an authorized person, for example a lawyer, to make your declaration. You must submit a power of attorney for this.

For the declaration of renunciation you must submit

• possible proof of German citizenship:
  • German identity card
  • German passport
  • (last) certificate of citizenship.
• Possible proof of possession of the other nationality and permanent residence:
  • foreign identity card
  • foreign passport
  • (foreign) certificate of citizenship
  • foreign registration confirmation
• for minors:
  • Approval from the German family court
  • Consent of the minor (from the age of 16 and up to the age of 18) to the declaration of renunciation

Notes:

Unless otherwise stated, please enclose the documents and evidence as officially or notarized copies. For the online declaration, you first need simple electronic copies. The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) will only request any necessary documents and evidence in the form of certified copies in the online procedure after the declaration has been submitted.

Declarations of renunciation of German citizenship can be submitted by

• Germans with habitual residence abroad who hold several nationalities

Further requirements:

• for minors:
  • Approval of the German family court (at the local court)
  • Consent of the minor (from the age of 16 and up to the age of 18) to the declaration of renunciation

Note:

If you are liable for military service in Germany, you need the consent of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Personnel Management. This will be obtained from the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

• Contradiction

You or your authorized representative can declare your renunciation of German citizenship in writing at the competent German diplomatic mission abroad, directly in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written declaration:

• You can download the form from the BVA website.
• If you live in Germany, please contact your local city or district administration. They will provide you with the appropriate declaration forms.
• If you wish, the local diplomatic mission abroad can help you fill out the form.
• Complete the form in full and sign it.
• Submit the signed declaration by post or in person together with the required supporting documents to your local German diplomatic mission abroad.
• However, it is not compulsory to contact the diplomatic mission abroad. You can also send the declaration directly to the BVA by post.
• The BVA will check your declaration and inform you if further documents and information are required to process the declaration.

Online declaration:

• Go to the website of the federal portal and fill in the form for renouncing German citizenship electronically. Note: You will need your ID card with PIN number for the online function.
• Attach the other required documents as a file.
• Send off your declaration.
• The BVA will check your declaration and request any necessary documents as certified copies.

Completion of the procedure (in writing and online):

• If your waiver declaration is approved, the BVA will send your waiver certificate to your competent German diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the certificate.
• You will lose your German citizenship when the renunciation certificate is handed over. Your German identity documents will then become invalid. They will be confiscated by the diplomatic mission abroad.
• If your declaration of renunciation is not granted, you will receive a notice of refusal.

There is no deadline.

Free of charge.

Please note that you may incur additional costs for the procurement of documents, translations and notarizations.

There are no indications or special features.