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How Dhruv Rathee Lives in Germany Without German Citizenship Explained
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News18•11-10-2026, 16:17
How Dhruv Rathee Lives in Germany Without German Citizenship Explained
- •Dhruv Rathee clarified through a social media video displaying his Indian passport that he remains an Indian citizen.
- •He initially moved to Germany in 2012 at the age of 17 on a student visa to study Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
- •After completing his studies, he obtained a work permit and residence permit for freelancers and business people in Germany as a YouTuber.
- •In 2021, he married Juli, a German resident, making him eligible for a family reunification visa and a temporary residence permit.
- •While Germany allows dual citizenship under laws amended in 2024, India does not recognize it, meaning Rathee lives in Germany as a permanent resident without surrendering his Indian passport.
Key Questions Answered
Dhruv Rathee clarified through a social media video displaying his Indian passport that he was, is, and will remain an Indian citizen.
He initially moved to Germany in 2012 on a student visa for higher education, later transitioned to a work permit for freelancers, and subsequently obtained a residence permit following his marriage to a German resident in 2021.
Rumors spread that he had renounced his Indian citizenship after living in Germany for 14 years, which gained intense traction when he was detained in Delhi prior to a CJP protest.
