Do I lose Indian citizenship automatically when I become German?

Yes. Under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955, Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily acquire another nationality. You don't need to file a separate renunciation; you surrender your passport and receive a Surrender Certificate.

How much does it cost to surrender an Indian passport in Germany?

EUR 37 at the Consulates General in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. The Embassy in Berlin charges EUR 82 within 3 years of naturalization and EUR 196 after that.

Can I travel to India on my Indian passport after getting German citizenship?

No. Once you're German, using your Indian passport is an offence under the Passport Act 1967. Travel on your German passport with an OCI card or an Indian e-Visa.

Do I need to surrender my Indian passport before applying for OCI?

Yes. The OCI application needs your Surrender Certificate. In Munich you can post both applications together; the OCI is processed after the surrender.

How to surrender your Indian passport after German citizenship (2026)

Updated 2026-10-21, checked against official Embassy and Consulate sources.

When you become a German citizen, your Indian citizenship ends automatically, because India does not allow dual citizenship. You must then surrender your Indian passport to the Indian mission for your Bundesland and get a Surrender Certificate, which you need for OCI or an Indian visa. The fee is EUR 37 at the Consulates in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg, and EUR 82 at the Embassy in Berlin (EUR 196 if more than 3 years after naturalization).

Why you have to surrender it

Germany has allowed dual citizenship since June 2024, but India doesn't. Under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955, Indian citizenship ends the moment you voluntarily acquire another nationality. Your Indian passport becomes invalid for you, and using it after that date is an offence under the Passport Act 1967.

The Surrender Certificate is the proof that you've handed it back. You need it for an OCI card, and for an Indian e-Visa if you travel before your OCI arrives.

Which Indian mission handles your application

It depends on the Bundesland on your Meldebescheinigung, not the city nearest to you. Applications sent to the wrong mission are returned.

Embassy of India, Berlin: Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen
Consulate General of India, Frankfurt: Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland
Consulate General of India, Munich: Bayern, Baden-Württemberg
Consulate General of India, Hamburg: Hamburg, Bremen, Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein

Fees and how each mission accepts applications

Berlin: EUR 82 within 3 years of naturalization, EUR 196 after. In person; request an appointment by email ([email protected]). Bank transfer.
Frankfurt: EUR 37. In person with an online appointment, cash only, no postal applications. Extra slots open Saturdays at 09:00. Minimum 8-10 working days.
Munich: EUR 37. By post only, with a bank transfer receipt and a tracked A4 return envelope (EUR 4.50+ postage). You can post your OCI application in the same envelope. Minimum 5 working days.
Hamburg: EUR 37. In person with an online appointment; bank transfer (2-3 working days ahead) or cash.

Documents you'll typically need

Online surrender application from the Passport Seva mission portal, printed and signed
Your last Indian passport (original), returned cancelled with the certificate
German passport and Einbürgerungsurkunde
Meldebescheinigung, with the same address you entered in the form
If German authorities kept your Indian passport during naturalization: their handover receipt, or the mission's Declaration form if the receipt doesn't show your passport number
For children: a No Objection letter from both parents, and the child's own signature or thumbprint

Mistakes that get applications returned

Applying to the wrong mission for your Bundesland
Name or date-of-birth details that don't match your last Indian passport exactly
Missing uploads: the portal allows only 5 files including photo and signature, so documents must be merged into PDFs
Photo not 630x810 px (35x45 mm) on a white background

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose Indian citizenship automatically when I become German?: Yes. Under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955, Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily acquire another nationality. You don't need to file a separate renunciation; you surrender your passport and receive a Surrender Certificate.
How much does it cost to surrender an Indian passport in Germany?: EUR 37 at the Consulates General in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. The Embassy in Berlin charges EUR 82 within 3 years of naturalization and EUR 196 after that.
Can I travel to India on my Indian passport after getting German citizenship?: No. Once you're German, using your Indian passport is an offence under the Passport Act 1967. Travel on your German passport with an OCI card or an Indian e-Visa.
Do I need to surrender my Indian passport before applying for OCI?: Yes. The OCI application needs your Surrender Certificate. In Munich you can post both applications together; the OCI is processed after the surrender.