Is the window of opportunity for German citizenship for descendants of Holocaust survivors about to close?

Why descendants of Holocaust survivors may want to act sooner rather than later.

For tens of thousands of descendants of Holocaust survivors in Israel, America and around the world, recent changes to German citizenship law have opened the door to reclaiming a right that was taken from their families decades ago. But while eligibility has expanded significantly, the growing demand has created another challenge: long waiting times and uncertainty about what future legislation may bring.

According to attorney Michael Decker, founding partner of Decker, Pex & Levi, now is the time for eligible families to explore their options.

“German citizenship laws have created remarkable opportunities for descendants of those persecuted by the Nazi regime,” says Decker. “However, applications submitted today often take two to three years to process. While no one can predict future legislative changes, history has shown that immigration and citizenship laws can evolve, making it wise to determine your eligibility sooner rather than later.”

A Broader Path to Citizenship

Germany has expanded its citizenship legislation over the past several years to correct historical injustices suffered by victims of Nazi persecution and their descendants.

Today, eligibility extends well beyond the descendants of former German citizens. In many cases, descendants of Jewish residents who lived in Germany before the rise of the Nazi regime may also qualify. Additional legal reforms have removed barriers that previously excluded descendants of German women and children born out of wedlock — groups that had long faced discrimination under earlier citizenship laws.

Austria has introduced similar legislation, allowing many descendants of Austrian Jews forced to flee Nazi persecution to reclaim Austrian citizenship as well.

These changes have allowed thousands of families around the world to reconnect with their heritage while gaining access to European citizenship.

Growing Demand Means Longer Waits

As awareness of these legal reforms has spread, applications have increased dramatically. The result has been a significant backlog within the German authorities responsible for processing citizenship claims.

While each case is unique, many applicants are now facing waiting periods of two years or more before receiving a final decision.

According to attorney Michael Decker, the delays are not caused by applicants but by the sheer volume of requests and the extensive historical research often required to verify family histories.

“Every application tells a unique story,” Decker explains. “Many cases require archival research, historical documentation, and careful legal analysis before a decision can be made.”

Finding the Missing Pieces: Archive research

One of the biggest challenges for many families is proving their eligibility.

Birth certificates, immigration records, residency registrations, school records, and other historical documents often become essential pieces of evidence. Because many records were lost during the Holocaust or scattered across different countries, gathering documentation can sometimes require extensive archival research.

Fortunately, German authorities also conduct their own historical investigations, while experienced legal professionals can often locate records that families never knew existed.

In some cases, the process uncovers far more than documents — it reconnects families with forgotten chapters of their own history.

More Than a Passport

For many applicants, German or Austrian citizenship represents much more than the practical benefits of living, working, or studying in Europe.

It is an opportunity to restore rights that were taken from previous generations, honor family history, and preserve a lasting legacy for children and grandchildren.

Some families even discover unknown relatives, forgotten family stories, or historical records that deepen their understanding of their own past.

“This process is about more than citizenship,” says Decker. “For many descendants, it represents a meaningful step toward restoring a piece of family history that was interrupted generations ago.”

Why It May Be Worth Starting Now

Although no one can predict how citizenship legislation may change in the future, application processing times continue to grow as demand increases.

For families with roots in Germany or Austria who believe they may qualify, beginning the eligibility review sooner can help avoid even longer waiting periods while current legal pathways remain available.

If your family was affected by Nazi persecution, exploring your eligibility today could be the first step toward reclaiming a part of your family’s history — and securing new opportunities for future generations.