CJEU – Rottmann, C-135/08

Court name: Court of Justice of the European Union
State: Germany
Date of decision:
Legal instruments: 1961 Statelessness Convention, 1997 European Convention on Nationality, European Union law, Other international law, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Key aspects: Acquisition of nationality, Deprivation of nationality, Determination/confirmation of nationality, Stateless status and documentation, Statelessness determination, Voluntary renunciation of nationality

The Court held that it is not contrary to EU law for Member States to withdraw citizenship obtained by deception, even if the effect is to also withdraw citizenship of the Union, so long as the decision observes the principle of proportionality.