Stay is legally deemed permitted, but no Fiktionsbescheinigung

After you submit your application, your stay is legally deemed permitted. However, you still do not receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung. This is because you usually still have your German identity card.

Minor children may still be German

Did your child reacquire the foreign nationality together with you before their 18th birthday? Then they may not have lost their German nationality. They are then still German and do not need a residence title.

"Apparent Germans" can also receive a residence title

Were you previously treated as a German by German authorities, even though you never had German nationality? Then a special rule applies to you. You can still receive a residence title under this provision.

Apply for Residence Title for Former German Citizens

You were a German national and now need a residence title? Here you can find out how to get one.

At a glance

How do you get a residence title as a former German national?

You held German nationality and lost it? This happens, for example, if you acquired a foreign nationality upon application from 01.01.2000 onwards. Then you need a residence title to live in Germany.

There are two options. Have you been living in Germany for at least five years at the time of losing your German nationality? Then the authority must grant you a settlement permit. Have you been living in Germany for at least one year? Then the authority must grant you a residence permit.

Important: You must submit the application within six months after learning of the loss of your German nationality.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You acquired a foreign nationality upon application from 01.01.2000 onwards and thereby lost your German nationality. You still hold a German identity card and/or passport.

Additional requirements

You need your primary residence in Berlin and a personal appointment.
You must submit the application within six months after learning of the loss of your German nationality.

How to apply

Make an appointment at the State Office for Immigration

Gather all necessary documents: foreign passport, German identity card, biometric photo, naturalisation certificate, proof of foreign nationality, police clearance certificate, and proof of livelihood

Attend your appointment in person and bring all documents in original and in copy

Submit your application for the issuance of the residence title

Done! The authority must grant you the residence title. Processing takes approximately 5 to 6 weeks.

100,00EUR

Issuance of residence permit for adults

Issuance of settlement permit for adults113,00 EUR
Issuance of residence permit for minors50,00 EUR
Issuance of settlement permit for minors56,50 EUR
Extension of residence permit for adults93,00 EUR
Extension of residence permit for minors46,50 EUR

Good to know

Did you have a residence title before naturalization? This does not revive after the loss of German nationality. With the acquisition of German nationality, every residence title expires definitively.

Mit dem Erwerb der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit erlischt jede Art von Aufenthaltstitel endgültig und lebt gerade nicht wieder auf

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

Did you have a settlement permit before naturalization? Then these periods and the time as a German national are credited toward the five-year period. This applies for up to four years in total.

die Zeiten des früheren Besitzes einer Niederlassungserlaubnis sowie die Zeiten des Besitzes der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit bis zu vier Jahren auf die Fünfjahresfrist des § 9 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 1 anzurechnen sind

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

Did you enter without a visa after losing your German nationality? This does not harm you. Any unlawful entries after the loss are disregarded for your application.

Eventuelle unerlaubte Einreisen nach Verlust der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit (§ 5 Abs. 2 Nr. 1) sind unbeachtlich.

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

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