A growing number of Americans with Jewish-European heritage are reclaiming their ancestry as Germany and Austria provide symbolic restoration of citizenship and access to the rights of European Union citizens to qualified individuals.
Through programs that restore citizenship to descendants of Jews who were persecuted under the Nazi regime, many Americans with Jewish-European (Ashkenazi) heritage are now eligible for German or Austrian passports. Legal pathways, such as the German citizenship by Jewish descent in Germany and Austria’s §58c law, allow families to reclaim their heritage while securing E.U. citizenship rights.
Under the Nazi regime, millions of Jews and other targeted groups were stripped of their citizenship, civil rights and sense of national belonging. The 1935 Nuremberg Laws revoked German citizenship from Jews and others who were deemed “non-Aryan.” Many fled for fear of their lives, leaving behind homes, communities and legal status.
Austria underwent a similar experience following the 1938 Anschluss, when Nazi Germany annexed it. Thousands of Austrian Jews, Roma and dissidents were exiled or deported, often losing citizenship and unable to reclaim it after World War II.
In response, both countries took steps to address these wrongs. Germany’s Basic Law, specifically Article 116(2), adopted in 1949, allows descendants of those persecuted by the Nazis to reclaim the citizenship stripped from their relatives. More recently, Germany amended its laws, notably through Section 15 of the German Nationality Act, to expand eligibility and remove bureaucratic hurdles. Austria followed in 2019, when it amended its Nationality Act (§58c) to allow descendants of Holocaust victims and political refugees to apply for restored citizenship, creating a clear legal pathway to Austrian citizenship for Jews seeking to reclaim their family heritage.
These reforms acknowledge injustice and provide a path to reconnection. For Americans whose relatives fled Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, these laws open doors to reclaim a past that was once erased.
Eligibility for citizenship is based on direct descent from individuals who lost their citizenship due to Nazi persecution, though requirements vary by country.
In Germany, under Article 116 (2), individuals who were stripped of their citizenship between 1933 and 1945 for racial, political or religious reasons, and their descendants, may apply for restoration.
Germany now recognizes descendants through both maternal and paternal lines, including children born out of wedlock. The law also extends to individuals who were not yet German citizens at the time but would have qualified if not for the rise of the Nazi regime, such as Polish citizens residing in Germany and on the path to naturalization. Germany generally allows dual citizenship for those applying under this article.
Austria’s §58c, passed in 2019, allows individuals whose parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents were forced to flee Austria or lost their citizenship due to Nazi persecution to apply for restoration. This broad generational scope makes many Americans with Austrian roots eligible, even if their connection goes back several generations.
Unlike Germany’s gradual expansion, Austria’s law was inclusive from the start and also permits dual citizenship.
In recent years, there has been an increase in Jewish Americans applying for German and Austrian citizenship through their ancestry. This interest reflects symbolic and practical motivations. For descendants of Holocaust survivors or refugees, reclaiming citizenship is a powerful way to honor family history. Holding a German or Austrian passport can feel like an act of justice.
There are also practical perks for having a European Union passport, which may appeal to students, professionals, retirees and even families with global ties. Among the benefits of having citizenship in an E.U. country are:
- Freedom of movement across E.U. countries.
- Access to public education and health care.
- The ability to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
- Simplified business and travel arrangements.
These benefits appeal to students, professionals, retirees and families with global ties.
Recent world events, including the pandemic and shifting political climates in the United States, have prompted some Americans to reconsider their long-term mobility and global options. For Jewish Americans, these citizenship pathways offer flexibility, security and a renewed connection to a family’s heritage.
While the application process for citizenship is streamlined, it requires documentation and proof of ancestry. It’s also necessary to navigate legal bureaucracy, often in another language.
What can you expect when applying for citizenship in Germany or Austria?
- Verify your eligibility: Confirm that your ancestor lost citizenship due to Nazi-era persecution and that you qualify under current law.
- Collect required key documents: You will need:
- Proof of your ancestor’s German or Austrian nationality (e.g., passports, ID cards, residency records.)
- Evidence of emigration or persecution (e.g., visa records, refugee papers, ship manifests.)
- Your own birth and marriage certificates to establish the family link.
- Submit your application: File with the relevant consulate or embassy. Most submissions require official translations and and apostilles (document authentication.)
- Wait for approval: Timelines can vary. Some applicants receive approval in 6 to 12 months, though delays can occur depending on documentation and volume.
The paperwork can be daunting, especially if documents are missing, unclear, or if they require translation and authentication. That’s why many applicants turn to legal experts.
Decker, Pex, Levi, a law firm specializing in citizenship applications based on Jewish-European descent, helps Americans evaluate their eligibility, locate necessary documents and prepare strong applications for German and Austrian citizenship. The company’s experience in both legal systems makes the process smoother and more successful.
With experienced legal guidance, reclaiming citizenship becomes not just symbolic but a practical step toward embracing both history and future opportunity.
Contact: Decker, Pex, Levi Law with offices in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, by phone at: +972-3-3724722 or +972-55-9781688 ; via WhatsApp: +972-50-3 48-9649, Email: office@lawoffice.org.il and LinkedIn.
