Austrian Descent And Ukrainian Heritage: What's The Connection?

Austria is a federal republic in Central Europe, formerly the nucleus of the Austrian Empire. The country is composed of nine federated states and has a population of 8,935,112 (as of 2020). Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Ukrainians live in Austria, with 1,000 of them residing in the capital, Vienna. The history of Ukraine-Austria relations dates back to the 10th century, with trade relations between the Kyivan Rus' and cities on the middle Danube River. Over the centuries, there has been significant cultural exchange and political interaction between the two countries, including the involvement of Ukrainian Cossacks in Austria during the 16th century and the mediation efforts of Austria during the Swedish-Polish war. The presence of Ukrainian students, diplomats, and workers in Austria has contributed to the development of Ukrainian-Austrian ties. Today, Ukrainians in Austria maintain their cultural heritage through organizations such as the Union of Austrians of Ukrainian Descent and the Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood.

Austrian citizenship by descent

Who is Eligible for Austrian Citizenship by Descent?

To apply for Austrian citizenship by descent, applicants must submit the following documents:

• A current passport photograph (no older than six months), complying with Austrian criteria
• Marriage and divorce certificates, if applicable
• Certificate of a change of name, if applicable
• Criminal record from the country of residence (no older than eight months)
• Birth certificate of the persecuted ancestor (if available)
• Marriage certificate of the persecuted ancestor (if available)
• Evidence of persecution of the ancestor (if available)
• Evidence that the persecuted ancestor resided in Austria (if they were a citizen of one of the successor states of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy)
• Evidence of flight, such as passenger lists
• Evidence of deportation by the Nazi regime
• Death certificate or other evidence if the ancestor was killed by the regime

Timeframe

The process for acquiring Austrian citizenship by descent usually takes four to six months.

Ukrainians in Austria

The history of Ukrainians in Austria goes back to the 10th century, when trade relations between the Kyivan Rus' and cities on the middle Danube River are known to have existed. The number of Ukrainians in Austria increased significantly during the First World War, with around 15,000 Ukrainians in Vienna alone in 1914-15. Many were interned in camps, such as the one in Thalerhof near Graz, and thousands were held in refugee camps across the country. After the First World War and the breakup of the Austrian Empire in 1918, the Ukrainian population in Austria decreased, but a new wave of around 100,000 Ukrainian refugees arrived in 1944. By 1946, about 30,000 Ukrainians remained in the Western zones of Austria.

In recent years, the Ukrainian population in Austria has been smaller, with around 5,000 to 6,000 Ukrainians living in the country today. Vienna is home to the largest group, with around 1,000 Ukrainians, while smaller groups exist in other cities such as Salzburg, Kufstein, Innsbruck, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Villach. Almost 90% of Ukrainians in Austria have become Austrian citizens.

Austria has provided support and assistance to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the armed conflict in their country. Displaced persons from Ukraine have been granted temporary protection and a right of residence in Austria, which is currently valid until at least March 4, 2025. This includes access to basic welfare support, education, and other services. Ukrainian refugees can also receive an ID card, which gives them access to the job market.

Several organizations in Austria provide support and resources specifically for Ukrainians, including the Ukrainian Central Relief Alliance and the Union of Austrians of Ukrainian Descent. Ukrainian Catholic parishes exist in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood organizes the Orthodox Ukrainian community in the country.

Austrian people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent

Austria and Ukraine have had relations since the 10th century, with trade relations between the Kyivan Rus' and cities on the middle Danube River. However, relations became more involved after the annexation of Galicia in 1772 and Bukovyna in 1774 by the Austrian Empire. This led to an increase in Ukrainian emigration to Austria, with soldiers, students, political leaders, and workers all making the journey.

During World War I, there was an influx of Ukrainian refugees to Austria, with about 15,000 Ukrainians in Vienna alone in 1914-1915. After the war, many Ukrainians returned home, and the Ukrainian colony in Austria decreased. However, with the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, a new wave of Ukrainian refugees fled to Austria, and many were brought forcibly as laborers. By 1946, about 30,000 Ukrainians remained in the Western zones of Austria.

Today, there are about 5,000 to 6,000 Ukrainians in Austria, with 1,000 of them living in Vienna. Almost 90% of Ukrainians in Austria have become Austrian citizens.

Ukrainian emigrants to Austria

Ukraine and Austria have had relations since the 10th century, with trade relations between the Kyivan Rus' and cities on the middle Danube River. However, sporadic relations between the two countries became more involved after the annexation of Galicia in 1772 and Bukovyna in 1774 by the Austrian Empire. This led to a political and cultural revival in Western Ukraine, stimulating the development of a national consciousness.

During the breakup of the Austrian Empire in 1918, the Ukrainian colony in Austria decreased, but this was short-lived as the arrival of the government-in-exile of the Western Ukrainian National Republic (ZUNR) in Vienna in 1919 brought an increase in Ukrainian emigrants. From 1920 to 1923, Vienna, along with Prague, became the principal centre of Ukrainian political émigrés.

After the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, only a few Ukrainian organisations were allowed to exist, and many Ukrainian refugees came to Austria from territories occupied by the USSR. Later, the Germans forcibly brought Ukrainians to Austria as labourers. The defeat of the German armies on the eastern front in 1944 brought another wave of Ukrainian refugees to Austria, with 10,000 in Vienna alone.

Today, there are about 5,000 to 6,000 Ukrainians in Austria, with 1,000 in Vienna and smaller groups in other cities. Almost 90% have become Austrian citizens.

Austria–Ukraine relations

Austria and Ukraine have had diplomatic relations since 1992. A large portion of West Ukraine, including Lviv Oblast, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ternopil Oblast, Chernivtsi Oblast, and Zakarpattia Oblast, was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During World War I, Ukraine was occupied by the Central Powers, including Austria, who drove the Bolsheviks out of the country.

Austria has an embassy in Kyiv and three honorary consulates in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Ukraine has an embassy in Vienna and two honorary consulates in Klagenfurt and Salzburg.

High-level visits between the two countries have included a state visit by the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma to Austria in October 1998, and a state visit by the President of Austria Thomas Klestil to Ukraine in May 2000.

Austria joined the European Union in 1995, while Ukraine is a candidate for EU accession. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

Austria has supported Ukraine in political, humanitarian, and financial terms, especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Austria has also contributed financially to the EU Advisory Mission for Ukraine, which supports Ukrainian authorities in the reform of the civilian security sector.

Austria has also supported a number of projects relating to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine since 2014, with a focus on the Chernivtsi and Odessa Oblasts. These projects are funded by the Austrian Foreign Disaster Fund and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). In addition, Austrian NGOs have provided substantial humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Before the 2022 Russian invasion, more than 250 Austrian companies were active in Ukraine, and Austria was among the top 10 foreign investors in the country.

Notable Austrian people of Ukrainian descent include Vladimir Malakhov, a dancer, and Christoph Martschinko. There is also a category for Austrian people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, which includes the Ephrussi family.

Frequently asked questions