Germany citizenship: through your german grandparent
A two-generation chain — the key question is whether your grandparent naturalized abroad (§25 StAG) before your parent was born.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Feststellung determination fee (varies); §5 declaration is low-cost
- Typical timeline
- Often 2–3+ years at the BVA
- Where
- Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), Cologne — the sole authority
Whether this line carries citizenship depends on the specifics — dates of birth, naturalization timing, and whether the chain was ever broken. The free eligibility check walks your exact line and tells you which route applies and what documents you'll need.
Other ancestor paths
See if you qualify for Germany citizenship
Check your eligibility — freeNot affiliated with BVA Cologne or any government. A document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.