Retention permit
The retention permit is a notification in the form of a certificate in accordance with Section 25 (2) StAG .
It entitles you to take on the citizenship of another country named in the notification without losing your German citizenship . Since August 28, 2007, the retention permit is no longer required if the person takes citizenship of an EU member state or Switzerland .
The granting of a retention permit is a discretionary decision in which the public and private interests must be weighed up against each other (Section 25 (2) sentence 3 StAG ). The retention permit can be granted if public or private concerns justify the acquisition of foreign citizenship and the continued existence of German citizenship and if there are no overriding concerns that conflict with it. When weighing up, the principle of avoiding multiple nationality applicable in German nationality law must be taken into account.
Preconditions for the issue of a retention permit are specifically that
- there is a significant private interest in multiple citizenship, which is particularly the case if, with the acquisition of foreign citizenship, significant disadvantages of an economic nature are avoided or eliminated, provided they are sufficiently specific (e.g. loss of substantial pension entitlements),
- the loss of German citizenship is also associated with considerable disadvantages that go beyond the mere loss of civil rights (requirement of a residence permit or visa, loss of freedom of movement, etc.),
- the other nationality law allows dual nationality .
In the case of habitual residence abroad, continuing ties to Germany are particularly important, which justify the coexistence of two nationalities, while important private interests in multiple nationalities take a back seat.
The retention permit is also a notification in the form of a document in accordance with Section 28 (2) StbG for Austrian citizens.
Jurisdiction
- For Germans who have their habitual residence in Germany, the respective local citizenship authority is responsible.
- For Germans habitually residing abroad, the embassy or the responsible consulate are responsible, which then forward the application to the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.
See also
- Retention of citizenship in Austria
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ No. 25.2.3.1 of the BMI's preliminary application notes on the StAG - VAH-StAG.