Please note: Although the information on this website has been prepared with the utmost care, we cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein. Always refer to the official websites for up-to-date information.
Retention of South African citizenship
The basic rule is that an adult South African citizen who intends to apply for foreign citizenship, but who does not want to lose his/ her South African citizenship, must first apply for the retention of South African citizenship, which must be done and approved before acquisition of the other citizenship. Applications can be made via the South African Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate in Munich. You can also apply directly at the Department of Home Affairs if you are in South Africa. Another option is to use the services of a documentation company
More information is available on the South African Government Gazette on citizenship
Recent News:
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has ruled that the automatic loss of South African citizenship after gaining citizenship of another country is unconstitutional. See more information here
You can obtain German citizenship through:
- Decent/Birth – See Section 4 of the Nationality act
- By Declaration – See section 5 of the Nationality act
- Naturalisation (incl spouses) – See Sections 8 to 16, 40b and 40c of the Nationality act
- Adoption – See section 6 of the Nationality act
- by issuance of the certificate – See section 15(1) or (2) of the Federal Expellees Act
Naturalisation
The German Bundestag passed the law to modernize nationality law – this came into force on 27 June 2024.
To be eligible for naturalization, a person has to have lived legally in Germany for at least 5 years and possess the appropriate residence permit.
For people who have integrated particularly well, naturalisation is possible after 3 years. For example, if you achieve outstanding performance at work or do voluntary work, speak German very well and can independently support yourself and your family.
Persons wishing to become naturalised citizens must declare their allegiance to the German constitution and have a sufficient command of the German language.
Candidates for naturalisation must be familiar with the legal system, society and living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany (naturalization test) and be able to support themselves without recourse to social assistance unless this is due to circumstances beyond their control; nor can they have committed any serious criminal offences. For more indepth information, see the Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG) or the BMI website
Before you can apply for naturalisation, you need to pass the Einbürgerungstest and be able to prove your language proficiency, currently B1 level.
Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland
Leben in Deutschland The Leben in Deutschland tests your knowledge of the legal and social order and the living conditions in Germany. If you apply for Permanent residence, you must use the test to demonstrate knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system and living conditions. You do not necessarily need to attend the course to write the tests.You need a minimum of Level A2 to B1 to understand the test questions. Einbügerungstest The Einbürgerungstest tests your knowledge of the
We added a page about the naturalisation process and the new Nationality laws
German Citizenship through naturalisation
German citizenship through naturalisation Naturalisation refers to the legal process of attaining citizenship of a foreign country. The requirements for becoming a naturalised German citizen are governed by Section 10, para. 1 of the Nationality Act. On January 19, 2024, the German Bundestag passed the law to modernize nationality law – this came into force from 27 June 2024. Acquiring German citizenship through naturalisation is the most common path for South Africans. Understanding the procedure is crucial
Married to a German Citizen
A foreigner does not become a German citizen through marriage with a German.
Naturalisation requires that the spouses have resided in Germany for a certain number of years and that the foreign spouse is well-integrated in Germany and speaks the language fluently. Please contact the local citizenship authority at your German place of residence.
Provided certain other conditions are met you have the right to naturalisation after you have been legally resident in the Federal Republic of Germany for three years. However, you have to have been married for at least two years.
Foreign parents
Children born in Germany to non-German parents are automatically granted German citizenship if one parent has been legally living in Germany for more than 5 years with permanent residency status.
Retention of South African citizenship
South African citizens under the age of 18 years are exempt and do not require to apply for dual citizenship, as long as they acquire the foreign citizenship before their 18th birthday. They automatically retain their South African citizenship for life unless, once they have reached the age of 18 years and they then wish to acquire a further foreign citizenship, they will then have to apply for prior permission to retain their South African citizenship. Failing to do so, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship. Source DIRCO
Also important to note:
- As a rule, children born to a German and a non-German parent, or to parents with dual nationality, acquire the nationalities of both parents at birth, according to the principle of descent.
Two sections in the South African Citizenship Act is of importance
Section 10 – Deprivation of citizenship in case of children
Whenever the responsible parent of a minor has in terms of the provisions of section 6 or 8 ceased to be a South African citizen, the Minister may, with due regard to the provisions of the Children’s Act, order that such minor, if he or she was born outside the Republic and is under the age of 18 years, shall cease to be a South African citizen.
Section 13 – Resumption of South African citizenship
(2) A minor who has in terms of section 10 or a provision in any of the laws referred to in Schedule 2 ceased to be a South African citizen and who is resident in the Republic or has returned to the Republic for permanent residence therein, may at any time after attaining the age of 18 years make a declaration in the prescribed form stating that he or she wishes to resume South African citizenship, and if the Minister deems it fit, he or she may order that such a declaration be registered, and upon registration thereof, such person shall resume his or her former South African citizenship.
Infromation on the web
Please refer to the following websites for information on German Citizenship and Naturalisation.
Legal basis
- Gesetze im Internet (English) or as a PDF file – The translation takes into account the amendment(s) to the law introduced by Article 1 of the Act dated March 22, 2024.
- Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG)
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