Austrian Certificate of Citizenship
Obtaining Austrian Citizenship (overview)
1) by Descent:
Children born in wedlock acquire Austrian citizenship at birth if
- born before 01 09 1983: the father was an Austrian citizen at the time.
An Austrian mother could only pass on citizenship if the child did not acquire any other nationality at birth. For example, a child born outside of Australia to an Australian father and an Austrian mother did not become an Australian citizen at birth and, if otherwise stateless, would have acquired Austrian citizenship after the mother. However, a later registration as Australian citizen (Citizenship by Descent) may have constituted a loss of Austrian citizenship.
- born on or after 01 09 1983: one parent is an Austrian citizen at the time
Children born out of wedlock acquire Austrian nationality at birth if the mother is an Austrian citizen at the time.
A child born out of wedlock acquires Austrian citizenship by legitimation if he/she is still a minor and unmarried, and if the father is an Austrian national at the time of legitimation. In case the legitimated child has already reached the age of 14, he/she and the legal representative have to consent to the acquisition of citizenship.
2) by Marriage:
An alien spouse of an Austrian national may obtain Austrian citizenship if
- a) the applicant has been legally and continuously resident in Austria for at least six years and
- b) he/she has been married for at least five years in joint household.
Please note that the alien spouse has to renounce his/her present citizenship.
3) by Application:
An alien has a right to obtain Austrian citizenship if
- a) he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least thirty years or
- b) he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least fifteen years and can demonstrate successful personal and professional integration in Austria.
Aliens may apply for Austrian citizenship under the following preconditions:
- a) at least 10 years of continuous stay in Austria (a minimum five years of which as permanent resident)
- b) sufficient financial means/secure income
- c) no criminal record
- d) sufficient knowledge of the German language
- e) positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria.
Some aliens (e.g. EEA citizens) may apply for citizenship after six years of permanent residence in Austria.
4) by Re-Acquisition:
a) A female who lost Austrian citizenship prior to 01/09/1983 because of getting married to an alien may re-obtain her Austrian citizenship if she applies for it within two years after her husband's death or her being divorced from him.
b) For former Austrian citizens, who were Austrian nationals for at least ten years before losing Austrian citizenship, a preferential re-acquisition is possible. The applicant has to be present in Austria. Any foreign nationality has to be given up, though.
c) All individuals who were forced to leave Austria as Austrian citizens before 9 May 1945 because they had to fear persecution by bodies of the NSDAP or the authorities of the Third Reich or who have suffered such persecution or were persecuted because of their defence of the democratic Republic of Austria may re-establish their Austrian citizenship by declaration. You can find more information under "Compensation for NS-Victims".
Application for an Austrian Citizenship Certificate
The application for the Austrian Citizenship Certificate has to be lodged in person at the Embassy in Canberra or at one of our Consulates in Australia or New Zealand.
The following documents have to be submitted in order to apply for an Austrian Certificate of Citizenship. Please note that all documents issued in Australia and New Zealand have to be legalized by an "Apostille" (see "Authentication" for details) and have to be submitted in original. Documents issued by other countries have to be issued with the relevant legalization (Apostille or other) and have also to be translated into German (except for documents in English).
Citizenship Certificate for Adults:
- Application form duly completed and signed by applicant
- Form "Statutory Declaration Adult"/Formular "Erklärung Erwachsener", completed and signed
- ID-Document - Austrian passport, Austrian ID-Card, Austrian driving licence (original and one copy)
- Full Birth Certificate (issued by Registrar's Office)
AND, if applicable "Certificate of Grant of Austrian Citizenship" ("Bescheid über die Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft") - Proof of place of residency (not older than 4 weeks): Utility bill, AND
- De-registration from the Austrian Registration Office ("Abmeldebestätigung des Meldeamtes") - if applicable
- Original proof of resident status (Australia: Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status from the Australian Department of Immigration, New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Citizenship Office, Department of Internal Affairs **) - not older than 3 months at the time of application
- Self-addressed prepaid envelope (registered, express or platinum express)
- Consular fees (see "Practical Advice" for updated fees schedule): to be paid by cash, bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order (made out to "Austrian Embassy")
- In some cases letters from the different branches of the Australian or New Zealand Defence Forces are required as evidence that the applicant has not volontarily served in the military of these countries.
if applicable:
- Full Marriage Certificate (issued by Registrar's Office!) *)
- Full Marriage Certificate of parents (issued by Registrar's Office!) *)
- Certificate of Citizenship of Austrian parent(s)
- Original proof of resident status of the Austrian parent(s) (Australia: Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status from the Australian Department of Immigration, New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Citizenship Office, Department of Internal Affairs **)
Citizenship Certificate for Minors:
- Application form duly completed and signed by applicant (and/or responsible parent)
- Form "Statutory Declaration Minor"/Formular "Erklärung für Minderjährige", completed and signed
- ID-Document of applicant - Austrian passport, Austrian ID-Card, Austrian driving licence (original and one copy)
- If possible picture ID of the child
- Copy of both parents' passports - Austrian and foreign (data pages only)
- Full Birth Certificate (issued by Registrar's Office) or "Certificate of Grant of Austrian Citizenship" ("Bescheid über die Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft")
- Full Birth Certificate of parents
- Certificate of Citizenship of Austrian parent(s)
- Proof of place of residency (not older than 4 weeks): Utility bill, AND
- De-registration from the Austrian Registration Office ("Abmeldebestätigung des Meldeamtes") if applicable
- Original proof of resident status of applicant (if applicable) or the Austrian parent(s) (Australia: Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status from the Australian Department of Immigration, New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Citizenship Office, Department of Internal Affairs **) - not older than 3 months at the time of application
- Self-addressed prepaid envelope (registered, express or platinum express)
- Consular fees (see "Practical Advice" for updated fees schedule): to be paid by cash, bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order (made out to "Austrian Embassy")
If applicable:
- Marriage Certificate of parents (issued by Registrar's Office!) *)
If parents are separated:
- Divorce Papers of parents
- Proof of Legal Guardianship of the parent (decision by the relevant family court)
Further documents may be required on an individual basis.
*) According to Austrian Law the wife automatically takes on the family name of the husband after marriage unless the relevant declaration has been signed at the Austrian Embassy, Consulate or Registry office (in Austria) before the wedding.
**) The Proof of Residence Status is only available for foreign citizens with permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand. Applicants on a temporary visa or dual citizens (acquisition of both nationalities automatically at birth) do not require this document.
Information on Austrian Citizenship Certificate Application - in german
Information on Obtaining Army Service Records
Losing Austrian Citizenship
1) Acquisition of a foreign nationality by application:
An Austrian citizen applying for a foreign nationality will automatically lose his/her Austrian citizenship upon obtaining foreign nationality.
2) Joining the armed forces of a foreign country:
An Austrian national voluntarily entering the armed forces of a foreign country loses his/herAustrian citizenship.
3) Revocation:
An Austrian citizen both working for a foreign state and adversely affecting the interests and reputation of the Republic of Austria loses his/her citizenship.
Also, Austrian citizenship may be revoked, if newly naturalized Austrians do not renounce their previous citizenship within two years, as required.
4) Giving up Austrian citizenship:
An Austrian citizen may, under certain circumstances, renounce his/her Austrian citizenship.
Additional Information
For additional information please have a look at the following websites:
