Updated on October 16, 2026
In 30 seconds
For Germany, since June 27, 2024, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship on application no longer loses German citizenship. For Italy, according to the consulates, since May 24, 2025, Law 74/2025 limits automatic transmission to children born abroad who hold another citizenship, with some exceptions. For children of Italians in Germany, what matters are the citizenships of parents and grandparents and residence.
For the general picture, read the guide Italians in Germany: Legal Guide.
In this article
- The German side
- The Italian side and children born in Germany
- Practical steps
- Frequent case
- The best solution for you
- Frequently asked questions
- Official sources
The German side
Since June 27, 2024, a German citizen can acquire a foreign citizenship on application without losing their own. The authorization to retain it (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) is no longer needed. This is stated by the German Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
The change does not apply to events before June 27, 2024. For the requirements of German citizenship in a single case, look at the text of the law and at the competent German offices.
The Italian side and children born in Germany
According to the Italian Consulates General in Geneva and Frankfurt, Law 74/2025 (in force since May 24, 2025) provides that a person born abroad who holds another citizenship no longer automatically acquires Italian citizenship, with exceptions.
The two exceptions indicated by the consulates are: a parent or grandparent who holds only Italian citizenship, or a parent who resided in Italy for at least two continuous years after acquiring citizenship and before the birth.
In other cases, both parents can make a declaration within three years of the birth. For minors already born on May 24, 2025, the Frankfurt Consulate indicates a special deadline: check it on the Consulate’s website before acting. The declaration is signed in person, by appointment. For transcription you need the STACIV form (the civil status transcription form), as indicated by the Geneva Consulate.
The rules were changed recently. Before acting, it is best to check them with the Consulate or with the firm. Other questions, such as loss of Italian citizenship or acquisition through marriage, require a check of the up-to-date official sources.
Practical steps
- Reconstruct the family line: citizenships of parents and grandparents, dates, residences.
- Check the date and the exceptions.
- Request the certificates: multilingual birth certificate and German residence certificate (Erweiterte Melderegisterauskunft, an extended registry extract).
- Book the appointment with the citizenship office.
- Note the deadlines.
- Keep the receipts.
Frequent case · A problem that happens often
Two Italian parents live in Berlin. Their daughter is born in Berlin. The father also holds German citizenship, the mother only Italian. They ask whether the girl is already Italian and whether they need to do anything. You must check the citizenships of the parents and grandparents and the exceptions in the new law.
Frequent case described in general terms: names, places and details do not refer to real people or cases.
The best solution for you
First: Reconstruct the family line, with citizenships, dates and residences of parents and grandparents, and check the date and the exceptions.
Then: In cases not covered by the exceptions, both parents can make a declaration within the deadlines indicated by the consulates. It is signed in person, by appointment.
If the office or the other side does not cooperate: If a certificate is missing or the appointment is delayed, meanwhile prepare the multilingual birth certificate and the German residence certificate.
It usually pays to: Usually it pays to clarify first the citizenships of the parents and grandparents. From there you can see whether there is an exception or whether the declaration is needed.
What to do now
- Reconstruct citizenships, dates and residences of parents and grandparents.
- Request the multilingual birth certificate and the German residence certificate.
- Note the deadlines indicated by the Consulate.
No route guarantees an outcome.
Read also: A Family Home in Naples: Unsettled Estates and Defective Title · Short-Term Rentals, B&B and Agriturismo in Puglia: The Rules · Found a Will in Rome: Holographic Will, Forced Share, Challenges · Condominium in Naples: A Guide for Foreign Owners · Injuries and Accidents in Puglia: Beach Club, B&B, Rental Car.
Learn more: Legal guides from Studio Legale Fiorentino.
How attorney Fiorentino can help you
- Gather the multilingual birth certificate, the German residence certificate and the documents of the parents and grandparents.
- Check with the firm the exceptions of Law 74/2025 and the deadlines.
- For the video call, have a chart ready with the dates and citizenships of every family member.
Frequently asked questions
In Germany, do I lose my citizenship if I take the Italian one?
Since June 27, 2024, no longer, if you acquire it on application, according to the Auswärtiges Amt.
Is my child born in Berlin Italian?
It depends on the citizenships of the parents and grandparents and on residence in Italy, according to the Frankfurt Consulate.
Until when can I make the declaration for minors?
For minors already born on May 24, 2025, the Frankfurt Consulate indicates a special deadline, to be checked on its website before acting.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. The declaration is signed in person, by appointment.
What do I prepare before the appointment?
Multilingual birth certificate, German residence certificate, identity documents and a list of citizenships and dates for parents and grandparents.
Read also
- Italians in Germany: Legal Guide
- Inheritance of an Italian Living in Germany: Erbschein and European Certificate of Succession
- Divorce in Germany: How to Make It Valid in Italy
Official sources
Institutional pages consulted; the official source always prevails for up-to-date texts.
- Auswärtiges Amt: nationality law and dual citizenship
- Italian Consulate General in Frankfurt: civil status
- Italian Consulate General in Geneva: citizenship law
Where to find us
The firm is based in Naples (Piazza Giovanni Bovio 22 and Via Monte di Dio 14) and works throughout Italy; the first meeting can be held by video call.
Informational text, prepared with the help of artificial intelligence tools. Author: attorney Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino.
Do you have a similar issue?
Every situation depends on the documents of the specific case. You can contact the firm from anywhere, remotely.