Obtaining Austrian Citizenship

NOTE: The information provided on this page is intended to give a general overview on how to obtain Austrian citizenship. Due to the complexity of the Austrian Nationality Act not all specific regulations and pecularities are described in full and in detail. If you need additional information, please refer to the "Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz" (available in German on www.ris.bka.gv.at) or contact the Consular Department at consulate.london-ob@bmeia.gv.at.

Children born in wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship if

• born before September 1, 1983: father is Austrian citizen at time of child's birth
• born on or after September 1, 1983: one parent (either father or mother) is Austrian citizen at time of child's birth

Children born out of wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship

• if mother is Austrian national at time of child's birth
• by legitimation if the child (whose mother is a non-Austrian citizen) is still a minor and unmarried at the time of her parent's marriage and the father is an Austrian citizen at this time. If the legitimated child is over the age of 14 (but still a minor), he/she must consent to the acquisition of Austrian nationality.

The alien husband or wife of an Austrian national may be granted Austrian citizenship only after at least six years of residence in Austria if they have been married and being living in a common household for at least five years.

EEA citizen may also be granted Austrian citizenship after at least six years permanent residence in Austria.

Otherwise, Austrian citizenship may be granted to an alien generally only after at least ten years of residence in Austria, subject to certain condition.

Applicants will have to renounce their present citizenship when adopting Austrian nationality. A good knowledge of the German language, Austrian history and current affairs in Austria is essential when applying for Austrian citizenship.

All Austrian citizens who were forced to leave Austria before 9 May 1945 because

• they had to fear or even suffered persecution by the NSDAP and/or the authorities of the Third Reich or
• they had to fear or suffered persecution because of defending the democratic Republic of Austria may re-acquire their Austrian citizenship by declaration.

Neither permanent residence in Austria nor renouncing present citizenship are required.
By virtue of a1999 amendment to the Austrian Nationality Act it is also possible for persons who fullfill the above-mentioned criteria (lived in Austria and had to flee the country) and who were not Austrians but citizens of successor states of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to become Austrian Nationals.

Naturalisation of former Austrian citizens (who held Austrian citizenship for at  least ten years and lost citizenship due to certain circumstances) can be granted soon after establishing permanent residence in Austria.

An alien has the right to obtain Austrian citizenship if

• he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least 30 years or
• he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least 15 years and may proof his/her successful integration into Austrian society.

Aliens may apply for Austrian citizenship under the following preconditions:

• at least 10 years of permanent residence in Austria
• proof of sufficient financial means/secure income (including the past three years)
• no criminal record
• sufficient knowledge of the German language, Austrian history and current affairs
• positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria

Persons born before 1 July 1966:

• in case of birth in Austria, the local authority of the place of birth
• in case of birth in a foreign country, the City of Vienna

Persons born from 1 July 1966:

• the local authority of the municipality, where the relevant person's mother had her domicile (according to the certificate of birth of the relevant person)
• if the domicile of the mother was in a foreign country, the city of Vienna
• if the domicile of the mother was in a foreign country, but the relevant person's place