German Citizenship based on Restitution

Were Your German Ancestors Stripped of Their Citizenship by the Nazis?

Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime systematically revoked the citizenship of Jews, political dissidents, and other persecuted groups. This was part of a broader campaign of legal exclusion, racial persecution, and the destruction of civil rights. If your ancestors were affected, you may be eligible to reclaim German citizenship.

At Stenner Law, we help descendants of persecuted families navigate the legal restitution process — from verifying family history to preparing successful applications.

Two Legal Paths to Citizenship Restitution

1. Constitutional Right Under Article 116(2) GG

If your ancestor was a German citizen who lost their nationality due to racial, political, or religious persecution, you likely qualify for full restoration of German citizenship under Article 116(2) of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

Key features of Article 116(2):

This path is most common for families of Jewish ancestry, political exiles, and others who held citizenship but were stripped of it through Nazi legislation.

2. Restitution Under Section 15 of the German Nationality Act (StAG)

If your ancestor was never formally naturalized but was excluded from acquiring German citizenship due to Nazi-era laws or racial discrimination, you may qualify under Section 15 of the German Nationality Act.

This may apply if:

Section 15 offers a legal remedy for families who were never granted citizenship in the first place due to unlawful discrimination.

Understanding the Legal Difference

Article 116(2) applies when citizenship was previously held and later revoked.
Section 15 StAG applies when citizenship was denied from the beginning under discriminatory laws.
Section 15 cases require deeper historical and legal analysis and often involve interpreting family-specific circumstances under Nazi-era laws.

Nazi Laws That Stripped Citizenship

Restoration claims often relate to key historical laws, including:

July 14, 1933 – Law on the Revocation of Naturalizations

This law allowed the Nazi government to revoke the naturalizations of those whose citizenship was deemed “undesirable,” specifically targeting Jews who had immigrated from Eastern Europe and political opponents. The law was implemented with explicit racist and antisemitic intent, as confirmed by the language in the implementing order, which referenced “völkisch-national (and racial) principles” and singled out “Eastern Jews” for denaturalization.

Legal Effect:
Once citizenship was revoked, individuals became stateless and lost all legal protections under German law, with no right of appeal.

September 15, 1935 – Reich Citizenship Law (Reichsbürgergesetz)

Part of the Nuremberg Laws, the Reich Citizenship Law redefined the concept of citizenship in Germany. It limited full citizenship (“Reich citizen”) to those of “German or kindred blood,” explicitly excluding Jews and others from political and civil rights. Jews were relegated to the status of “state subjects,” removing their rights as citizens.

Legal Effect:
Jews and other targeted groups lost the right to vote, hold public office, and enjoy other protections and privileges of citizenship.

November 25, 1941 – Eleventh Decree to the Reich Citizenship Law

This decree, issued during the Holocaust, stripped Jews living outside the Reich (i.e., those who had fled or been deported) of their German citizenship, and authorized the confiscation of their property.
Legal Effect:
The decree rendered these Jews stateless and facilitated the expropriation of their assets. Most Jews who lost citizenship under Nazi rule did so as a result of this decree.

These laws laid the groundwork for mass disenfranchisement and state-sanctioned theft, recognized under German law as unconstitutional acts of injustice.

Archival Research Support

Successful applications often depend on verifying family history and producing supporting documentation. We help clients access and interpret records from key institutions, including:

We can assist with requesting historical documents and birth certificates, translating old German records, and compiling a case that meets administrative standards.

Let Us Help You Reclaim What Was Taken

Restoring German citizenship is more than a legal act. It is a recognition of history, justice, and personal dignity. If your family was affected by Nazi persecution, you may have a legal right to reclaim this legacy.

At Stenner Law, we have supported Jewish families through the restoration process, and understand that pursuing citizenship restoration is not simply a matter of gathering documents or completing legal forms; it is an act of historical reflection, often involving difficult emotions and a profound connection to a family legacy shaped by loss, displacement, and survival.

We approach every case with care, legal precision, and deep respect for what this process means to you and your family.

Schedule a consultation with Stenner Law

To begin the process of restoring your family’s citizenship and reclaiming what was unjustly taken.