Do Indians Still Need to Renounce Citizenship Before Becoming German Citizens?

India does not allow dual citizenship, meaning that Indians wishing to acquire German citizenship cannot retain their Indian nationality, even though Germany now allows multiple citizenships. Here’s how the process works:

The Indian Citizenship Act of 1955

Under the provisions of the Indian Citizenship Act from 1955, any Indian citizen who acquires citizenship of another country must renounce their Indian nationality and surrender their passport. This also affects their children, who automatically lose their Indian citizenship.

This policy has led to many Indians living in Germany hesitating to apply for German nationality, even after Germany passed its new dual citizenship law. The issue lies in the fact that both countries must allow dual citizenship for it to work in practice, and India’s stance on the matter has remained restrictive.

New Clarifications on Indian Citizenship

A new Office Memorandum from the Ministry of External Affairs in India has recently provided some clarity on the situation. According to this memorandum, Indians no longer need to formally renounce their citizenship after gaining another nationality. The process now happens automatically.

The memorandum explains: “As prescribed under section 8(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, any ‘Citizen of India’ of full age and capacity can renounce Indian citizenship.”

However, even if an Indian national wishes to renounce their citizenship, becoming a citizen of another country already terminates their Indian citizenship. Essentially, once an Indian acquires foreign citizenship, they are no longer eligible to renounce their Indian nationality, as it has already been terminated.

Document Submission for Indian Citizenship

Despite no longer needing to renounce citizenship officially, individuals must still submit all related documents of their Indian citizenship, such as their passport or voter card, to the Indian authorities. This is a separate service from the renunciation process, and upon completion, a passport surrender certificate is issued.

This certificate is essential for those applying for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card, which grants certain privileges not available to regular visitors to India.

For more detailed guidance and updates on these procedures, individuals are encouraged to check the Indian Embassy’s website.

Impact on Indians in Germany

According to Germany’s statistical agency, Destatis, there were about 246,000 Indians living in Germany at the end of 2023, a significant increase from 53,000 in 2011. The Indian community is one of the fastest-growing foreign groups in the country. However, many Indian residents have shared their struggles with the citizenship rules.

One such resident, Yadav, living in Berlin with her husband, expressed her reluctance to give up her Indian passport, stating, “It’s something that connects me to my country and means a lot to me. It stands for the values of where you come from, the sense of belonging and culture.”

While India’s dual citizenship restrictions remain, recent updates provide more clarity for Indians who become citizens of other countries. Though renunciation happens automatically, handing over Indian citizenship documents remains a requirement. This continues to be an emotional and complex issue for many Indian nationals living abroad.

Read More at How to Abroad

How to find the right hospital in Germany when you get sick?

Germany Job Opportunity Card to Be Introduced from June 2024