Loss of German citizenship by Turks in 2005

The uncertainty surrounding the loss of German citizenship continues to preoccupy many people of Turkish origin . Headlines like " 48,000 people of Turkish descent lose their German passport? " from 2005 are still fresh in people's minds. The reason: Many people had reacquired their Turkish citizenship without knowing that this automatically led to the loss of German citizenship – unless they had applied for a retention permit. To this day, many wonder whether they themselves are affected and what options there are to regain legal certainty.

Legal basis and background

The basic principle has been in place since 1914: Anyone who voluntarily acquires another nationality as a German automatically loses their German one . The only exception is if a so-called retention permit has been granted beforehand. However, until the end of 1999 there was a special regulation, the so-called Inlandsklausel . This allowed people living in Germany to reaccept their previous nationality without losing their German passport. With the reform of citizenship law on January 1, 2000, this clause was abolished. However, many people continued the previously permitted practice after 2000 - often unaware of the new legal situation . Misunderstandings arose particularly in connection with the Turkish "Pink Card" and the possibility of renaturalization. Turkish consulates did not always provide correct information and in some cases civil status data was even changed in such a way that German authorities did not notice the renaturalization. As a result, many affected people only found out years later that they had lost their German citizenship.

Consequences and possible courses of action

The loss of German citizenship has far-reaching consequences. Nevertheless, there are ways to secure one's legal status. Those who have lost their German citizenship may, under certain circumstances, be able to apply for a settlement permit —for example, if they have already legally resided in Germany as a German citizen for five years. Those affected abroad also have the option of renaturalization . It's important to note that the deadlines do not begin in 2000, but only upon knowledge of the loss of citizenship.

For those affected, this means there's no need to remain uncertain. Clarification is possible by submitting an application to the Federal Office of Administration or the relevant foreign mission . However, the procedures are complex, and much often depends on individual circumstances.

Support from specialized lawyers

Especially when it comes to existential issues such as the loss of citizenship, expert support is crucial. Lawyers specializing in citizenship and immigration law can determine whether a loss has actually occurred and initiate the appropriate steps—be it establishing citizenship, applying for a residence permit, or renaturalization. For many clients, this is not only a legal matter, but also a very personal one, linked to a sense of belonging and identity.