German Citizenship for Indians: Passport and OCI
What happens to your Indian citizenship and passport when you are naturalised in Germany, and what the OCI card gives you instead.
Can Indians keep their citizenship when they become German?
No. Germany has allowed dual citizenship since 27 June 2024, but India does not. Under section 9 of the Indian Citizenship Act 1955, your Indian citizenship ends automatically when you voluntarily acquire another citizenship. You must surrender your Indian passport to the Indian mission responsible for you. You can then apply for an OCI card (Overseas Citizen of India), a lifelong multiple-entry visa that puts you on a par with non-resident Indians in many areas. India's foreign ministry states that OCI is not dual citizenship. In 2025, 6,508 Indian citizens were naturalised in Germany.
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Legal Basis
Law
Citizenship Act 1955, section 9 (India)
Requirement
Indian citizenship ends on voluntary acquisition of another citizenship
Official Source
View law textTwo Laws, Two Answers
| Whose rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| German law | Since 27 June 2024 Germany no longer requires you to give up your previous citizenship when you are naturalised. |
| Indian law | The Citizenship Act does not provide for dual citizenship. Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily acquire another one (section 9). |
| Indian passport | Must be surrendered to the Indian mission immediately after you acquire foreign citizenship. Keeping or travelling on it afterwards is an offence under the Passports Act 1967. |
| OCI card | Open to most former Indian citizens. A lifelong visa, not a second citizenship. |
Source: Embassy of India, Berlin: renunciation and surrender of passport · Checked 13 October 2026
What the Four Indian Missions in Germany Publish
The missions describe the procedure differently, and some pages name a fee for renouncing citizenship, not for surrendering a passport. Use the mission responsible for the federal state you live in and check its page before you apply.
| Mission | Service named on its page | Fee as published | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy Berlin | Surrender of passport | €82 within three years of naturalisation, €196 after that | 3 weeks |
| Consulate General Frankfurt | Renunciation of citizenship | €82, or Rs 8,000 paid online | Not stated |
| Consulate General Munich | Renunciation of citizenship. The page says people who are already naturalised only surrender the passport. | €90 for renunciation. The fee for surrender by adults is not confirmed. | At least 10 to 12 weeks for renunciation |
| Consulate General Hamburg | Renunciation and surrender of passport | €90 for renunciation, €22 for surrender of a passport | Not stated |
Source: Embassy of India, Berlin: renunciation and surrender of passport · Fees as published on 13 October 2026
What the OCI Card Gives You, and What It Does Not
| With OCI | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry and stay | A lifelong multiple-entry visa for any purpose, with no registration with the foreigners office for any length of stay. |
| Property | You can buy and sell property like non-resident Indians, except agricultural land, farm houses and plantations. |
| Voting and office | No right to vote, no seat in parliament or a state legislature, no constitutional office. |
| Indian passport | Not possible. An Indian passport is issued only to Indian citizens. |
Source: OCI Services: frequently asked questions · Checked 13 October 2026
From German Passport to OCI Card
Decide with the consequences in view
Becoming German ends your Indian citizenship. Check what that means for property, inheritance and family in India before you apply.
Receive your naturalisation certificate
German citizenship takes effect when the Einbürgerungsurkunde is handed to you. From that moment Indian law treats you as a foreign citizen.
Surrender your Indian passport
Apply at the Indian mission responsible for your federal state. Berlin asks for the original passport, a copy of the Einbürgerungsurkunde, a copy of your German passport and proof of address.
Tip: Do not travel on the Indian passport after naturalisation.
Apply for the OCI card
Apply online at ociservices.gov.in and upload the surrender certificate. The Embassy in Berlin then asks for the signed form and documents by post, and states 8 to 10 weeks.
Travel with your German passport and OCI
The OCI card works together with your German passport as your lifelong visa for India.
What Does It Cost?
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Surrender of passport, Embassy Berlin | €82 | €196 if more than three years have passed since naturalisation |
| OCI card, Embassy Berlin | €233 | Fee for a first OCI card as published by the Embassy |
| German naturalisation fee | €255 | §38 StAG |
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Embassy of India in Berlin states that the Citizenship Act 1955 does not provide for dual citizenship. The change in German law in 2024 does not alter Indian law.
No. India's Ministry of External Affairs states that OCI is not to be misconstrued as dual citizenship and confers no political rights.
The Embassy in Berlin says immediately after acquiring foreign citizenship. None of the four Indian missions in Germany publishes a deadline in days. In Berlin the fee rises from €82 to €196 if more than three years have passed.
The Embassy says that holding or travelling on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is an offence under the Passports Act 1967 and attracts penalties. The Indian missions in Germany do not publish amounts.
The missions in Munich and Hamburg require the Indian passports of minors to be surrendered too, and minor children of former Indian citizens can get an OCI card. The published texts do not settle every case for a child naturalised together with the parents, so ask your mission.
Yes, with one exception. OCI cardholders can buy and sell immovable property like non-resident Indians, but not agricultural land, farm houses or plantation property.
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- Citizenship Act 1955, Ministry of Home Affairs (PDF)
- Embassy of India, Berlin: renunciation and surrender of passport
- Embassy of India, Berlin: OCI card
- Consulate General of India, Frankfurt: renunciation (PDF)
- Consulate General of India, Munich: renunciation
- Consulate General of India, Hamburg: citizenship information
- Ministry of External Affairs: OCI scheme
- OCI Services: frequently asked questions
- §10 StAG: naturalisation requirements (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- Federal Office of Administration: citizenship law reform in force since 27 June 2024