---
title: Can I apply for naturalisation after persecution of my ancestors by the NS-regime?
description: People whose ancestors were persecuted by the German NS regime between 1933 and 1945 for political, racial or religious reasons or who lost their German citizenship through deprivation have a good chance of acquiring German citizenship.
---

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# Can I apply for naturalisation after persecution of my ancestors by the NS-regime?

## People whose ancestors were persecuted by the German NS regime between 1933 and 1945 for political, racial or religious reasons or who lost their German citizenship through deprivation have a good chance of acquiring German citizenship.

Article 116 paragraph 2 sentence 1 of the German Constitution stipulates that persons whose ancestors

- gave up or lost **their German citizenship**  or
- have given up or lost **their habitual residence** in Germany

due to the NS terror from 30 January 1933 to 8 May 1945 are entitled to apply for German citizenship.

**The application due to loss of habitual residence** is only possible if this residence was already established before 30 January 1933 or as a child after this date.

The ancestors must have lived in the territory of the German Reich as at 31 December 1937.

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