Germany relaxes citizenship rules for descendants of Nazi victims

Nazi victim's ancestors could be granted EU passports more easily after Brexit

German interior minister Horf Seehofer said he has relaxed rules on German citizenship for descendants of Nazi victims (REUTERS)

Germany is making it easier for descendants of those persecuted by the Nazis to regain citizenship, which could help some Britons seeking European Union passports post-Brexit.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said he had revised legislation to open new categories of eligibility, such as for descendants of women who were forced to emigrate from Germany.

Those who lost their citizenships through marriages with non-German men before April 1, 1953 will also be eligilble.

Mr Seehofer says many descendants from such marriages living in Britain who applied for German citizenship after the 2016 Brexit referendum have been rejected, but will now be able to get approval.

A German passport will give them the right to live and work in Germany and the European Union if Britain leaves the bloc later this year.

Associated Press