Victims of National-Socialism & Restitution Issues
On numerous occassions over the last years, high-ranking representatives of the Republic of Austria have acknowledged that Austrians were not just victims of National-Socialism but that many Austrians both supported the NS regime and committed (horrible) atrocities. Thus, the official Austria has since taken many steps to at least financially alleviate the pain and suffering many a victim of the NS regime had to endure.
A. National Fund of the Republic of Austria
a) One time Payment (no deadline)
In 1995, the "National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National- Socialism" was set up. Its task is to provide lump-sum payments of € 5.087 to individuals (and their relatives) who were persecuted by the NS regime (provided certain requirements regarding citizenship and residency are met). The amount of all payments made so far amounts to around € 150 million (to almost 30,000 applicants).
There is no deadline and no time-limit for applying to the National Fund for the one-time payment. The application form can be downloaded online.
b) Loss of Property (deadline expired)
In 2001, the Austrian parliament decided to appropriate an amount of USD 150 million to compensate victims of Nazi persecution for loss of property (apartment leases, household property, personal valuables). Each individual meeting the criteria received a payment of USD 7,000. In the fall of 2004, it was decided to hand out an additional € 1,000 to each individual.
The application was to be presented to the National Fund till June 30, 2004 at the latest. A further extension of the deadline, as had happened in the past, is not foreseen.
B. Restitution of Works of Art
Immediately after the end of WW II, numerous laws that provided for the return of stolen property were passed by parliament. Between 1945 and 1948 around 13,500 objects were returned to their original owners or heirs. In 1969 and again in 1985 two additional Art Restitutions Acts were passed by the legislature.
In 1998, based upon the "Return of Works of Arts Act" a commission within the Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture was set up. The commission is charged with systematically investigating all works of art acquired between 1938 and 1945 which are now owned by Austria. Works of arts not properly obtained will be returned to their original owners or their heirs (investigations on the heirs are done in cooperation with the Jewish Community of Vienna).
The City of Vienna seeks information on items that formerly belonged to Jewish citizens and are now still in the possession of Vienna. For further information: please see below.
C. General Settlement Fund
a) Payments in the claims-based process and the equity-based process (deadline expired)
The application deadline expired on May 28, 2003. The fund is endowed with an amount of USD 210 million and provides pro rata payments to individuals (or their heirs) and organizations persecuted by the NS regime. Well over 19,000 applications have been submitted.
The amount awarded (each claim is investigated by a three member panel, one member of which is appointed by the United States) must not exceed USD 2 million.
A negative decision under the claims-based process can be appealed. Decisions under the equity-based process cannot be appealed.
b) In rem Restitution and Arbitration Panel (deadline expired)
The application deadline for in rem restitution of state property (real estate and buildings owned by Austria or its provinces (except Tyrol) on January 17, 2001) eventually expired on December 31, 2006. The applications are examined by an independent three-member panel (one member is appointed by the United States) which will then decide about each application. Decisions by the Arbitration Panel cannot be appealed.
However, both payments will be made and in rem restitutions are carried out only after all class-action lawsuits against Austria in the United States had been dismissed. The dismissal of the last class-action lawsuit still pending happened on December 7, 2005.
Thus, advance payment are now scheduled to be sent out to the oldest claimants first. A quota of 10 % has been set for the claims-based process and one of 15 % for the equity-based process. The final amount you will receive can determined only after all claims will have been assessed. For further information, please contact the General Settlement Fund in Vienna.
D. Reconciliation Fund (deadline expired) & Future Fund
After several extensions, the deadline for applications ended on December 31, 2003. The fund was set up on December 20, 2000, with contributions made by the federal government, the provincial governments and numerous Austrian economic institutions. The fund ceased to exist by December 31, 2005. Over 130.000 victims of slave labor who were deported to present day Austria during the NS era have received payments amounting to approx. € 350 million.
The remaining money has been transferred to the newly established Future Fund. The money will be used to support humanitarian projects, rememberance projects, and research activities (incl. grants). Not more than € 2 mio. may be allocated per year in total. Further information is listed (in German) on the Fund's website or you may write an e-mail to info(at)zukunftsfonds-austria.at. Please note that the Future Fund's working language is German.
Additional information
For information on how to re-gain Austrian citizenship (for victims of the NS regime), please see our info on "Austrian Citizenship."
Detailled information about retirement benefits, victim welfare benefits, nursing care allowance, and certificates of life are to be found at "Pension (Retirement) & Social Security Issues."
Addresses and contact information of Austrian Archives are listed at "Geneaological Research in Austria."
