If you do not have any family ties to Germany (i.e. none of your parents or grandparents were German citizens), then your only path to German citizenship is through the naturalization process. The main ways of becoming a naturalized citizen of Germany are through employment or marriage, both of which take years.

Who qualifies for German citizenship by descent?

German citizenship is mainly acquired and passed on through descent from a German parent. The parent has to be German citizen at the time of the birth of the child. Children who are born to former German citizens do not acquire German citizenship.

Can I become a German citizen if my grandparents were German?

Many people whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in Germany qualify for German citizenship through descent. In essence you can reclaim your German citizenship by descent if: You were born after 1975 as the legitimate child of a German citizen father or mother.

Can a German move to America?

Many Germans each year make the move to the USA for new opportunities. Before you make too many plans remember you do need a valid visa in order to lawfully live in the US whether you’re retired or employed.

If you do not have any family ties to Germany (i.e. none of your parents or grandparents were German citizens), then your only path to German citizenship is through the naturalization process. This means that if one of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents was a German citizen, then you may also be one!

Can you have German and American citizenship?

A child born to an American parent and a German parent acquires both American and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth. Neither country requires a person born under these circumstances to choose between American and German citizenship. They may keep both for life.

Can a US citizen move to Germany as a German citizen?

Based on your reason for immigration to Germany from the USA, there are two types of German residence permits. If you need legal advice on getting a German residence permit as a US citizen, the immigration legal experts at Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte advise on all matters relating to the move to Germany.

When did you become a citizen of Germany?

Children born out of wedlock to a German father after July 1, 1993 acquired German citizenship if (among other requirements) paternity had been established according to German law.

Can a spouse of a German citizen naturalize in Germany?

Since Jan. 1, 1970 the acquisition of German citizenship by marriage does not exist anymore. A foreign spouse can only naturalize if certain requirements are met. Children born in Germany after Dec. 31, 1999 to foreign parents who were legal residents of Germany for at least eight years, acquire German citizenship too.

How are German citizens taxed in the US?

So you would offset the taxes you pay to Germany on the interest using the Foreign Tax Credit to avoid dual-taxation. The US may impose a tax on your dividend and capital gain income from the USA. The maximum allowable tax rate is 15%.