Am I eligible for German citizenship via heredity rights?

I just came from Europe and met a few dual citizens who carried a passport from an EU country although they never lived in any of them. They generally appealed to hereditary rights of whatever country they had a connection to. I explained my situation a few times and everyone said that I should be eligible.

Here is my situation. I was born in 1965 in the U.S.. My mother is all the way German by blood, born there in 1933 and lived there until she was about 18. She no longer has a German passport but should be eligible for one, should she ask.

This wikipedia page seems to indicate I'm out of luck, since my German connection is through my mother. Had it been my father I think I would be. Then again, Wikipedia isn't always right and maybe there is some loophole I don't know of.

Can anybody advise on this matter?

This sort of thing changes... right of British citzenry used to be solely by the father, then by either parent, then related to whether they had citizenship by birth or by application through their parents.

Somewhere, in German, the rules probably exist. I am surprised if the sex of the parent still counts under EU rules. But only moderately surprised.

I refrained from voting because I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV - or online.


But I do have a question - and this might be fodder for a different thread.

Why would you want it?

Mind you, this has nothing to do with you, or the country in question.


In a nutshell, why would anyone who has lived their life in one country, and who apparently has no intention of moving, be interested in citizenship in another country?

I think you are out of luck because to get one now my guess is you would lose your USA Citizenship. Assuming she had no West German citizenship in 1965 when you are born would really seal it from what I know.

Although the U.S. government does not endorse dual citizenship as a matter of policy, it recognizes the existence of dual citizenship and completely tolerates the maintenance of multiple citizenship by U.S. citizens

It seems that Germany does not tolerate dual citizenship: "Citizenship is automatically lost when a German citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country". This article seems to say that Germany does not recognize dual citizenship


A 2009 article With U.S. in slump, dual citizenship in EU countries attracts Americans says it is estimated that more than 40 million Americans are eligible for dual citizenship, and a growing number of Americans want to try their luck elsewhere.

I am curious who you met, and what countries they held dual citizenship with.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

In a nutshell, why would anyone who has lived their life in one country, and who apparently has no intention of moving, be interested in citizenship in another country?

If I could get citizenship in an EU country it is not out of the question that I might move there, given the hostile attitude towards online gambling here.

Quote: Pacomartin

I am curious who you met, and what countries they held dual citizenship with.

The one story I specifically remember was of a guy who was born and raised in Canada with a father born in England. He was able to claim citizenship in England via hereditary rights through his father. He said had the connection been through he mother he wouldn't have qualified.

Quote: Wizard

The one story I specifically remember was of a guy who was born and raised in Canada with a father born in England. He was able to claim citizenship in England via hereditary rights through his father. He said had the connection been through he mother he wouldn't have qualified.

Before 1983, as a general rule "Citizenship of the UK and Colonies" (CUKC) was transmitted automatically only for one generation. Transmission was from the father only, and only if the parents were married. In 1983, the status of CUKC was abolished.

You have to remember that the head of state of Canada is still Queen Elisabeth II.

Under a new law, the cash-strapped government of Malta will allow foreigners to buy citizenship for €650,000 . They expect 200-300 buyers per year.Cyprus recently cut the price of its “citizenship by investment” program from €10 million to €3 million. I can imagine that you would jump at the possibility of becoming a Cypriot.

You can become a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis in return for $250,000 donation to a fund for retired sugar workers or a $400,000 real estate donation. Antigua and Barbuda instituted a program with the same price just last month. In Dominica, it costs about $100,000. These passports are particularly popular in the Middle East, though St. Kitts closed its program off to Iranians in 2011.

Quote: Wizard

If I could get citizenship in an EU country it is not out of the question that I might move there, given the hostile attitude towards online gambling here.

I don't blame you, but do know before you go. There are some heavy tax penalties and depending on what level you reach in that world the trip could be one-way. More than one online gaming casino owner has been arrested at the gate.

A problem I could see you having is age. Many countries do not take immigrants over a certain age, usually somewhere in your 30s. OTHO, you would certainly count as a "skilled" person.

Worst cast there is always this.

Quote: Pacomartin

You can become a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis in return for $250,000 donation to a fund for retired sugar workers or a $400,000 real estate donation. Antigua and Barbuda instituted a program with the same price just last month. In Dominica, it costs about $100,000. These passports are particularly popular in the Middle East, though St. Kitts closed its program off to Iranians in 2011.

I heard one can automatically buy citizenship in the US for some seven-digit price. Any truth to that? It isn't automatic either, but I think I heard Japanese sometimes invoke the process.

Quote: AZDuffman

Worst cast there is always this.

Sealand has been discussed a long time back. I thought about getting an ID card from there for purposes of promotions not open to non-locals. However, I think most people would think it was a souvenir from an amusement park.

Quote: Wizard

I heard one can automatically buy citizenship in the US for some seven-digit price. Any truth to that? It isn't automatic either ...

Under U.S. immigration law, foreigners can get a green card by investing at least a half-million dollars in designated areas of the country to create at least 10 jobs in America. You can invest a million dollars in any portion of the country.
So you must create jobs, not just purchase securities. Reference: Green Card Through Investment

Although it isn't automatically citizenship, once you have a green card it is almost certain that you can turn it into citizenship. Particularly since if you have investment money, you can also afford a good lawyer.

Many economists believe that all countries should sell citizenship. They reject the notion that citizenship is something sacred, and should be a commodity.