How To Get An Austrian Passport: A Step-By-Step Guide

Austria is a desirable country to settle in, with its stable economy, high quality of life, and breathtaking landscapes. Obtaining Austrian citizenship can be done in several ways, including by birth, descent, naturalization, and investment. Each route has its own set of requirements and procedures that must be followed. For example, children born in wedlock to at least one Austrian parent automatically acquire citizenship, while foreigners must typically reside in the country for a minimum of six to ten years before applying for naturalization. Acquiring an Austrian passport offers visa-free travel to numerous destinations and the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

Citizenship by descent

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, or extension of the award. Here is what you need to know about citizenship by descent:

Acquisition by Descent

Children automatically become Austrian citizens at birth if their mother is an Austrian citizen. The same applies if the parents are married and only the father is an Austrian citizen. If the parents are not married and only the father is an Austrian citizen, the child will acquire Austrian citizenship if the father recognises his parenthood within eight weeks or if his paternity is determined by a court. In cases where recognition of fatherhood or determination by a court occurs after this timeframe, children may still be awarded Austrian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

If the parents are of different nationalities and the non-Austrian parent's country of citizenship foresees a jus sanguinis (like Austria), the child will have dual citizenship. According to Austrian law, the child does not have to choose between Austrian and the other nationality upon becoming an adult—but the other state might require such a decision.

Citizenship for Descendants of Nazi Victims

Austria allows victims of the Nazi regime and their descendants to apply for citizenship. If one of your ancestors was persecuted or feared persecution by the Nazis, you may be eligible to apply for Austrian citizenship. This includes:

• Direct descendants (as well as those adopted as minors) of a formerly persecuted ancestor.
• Ancestors who were citizens of one of the successor states of the former Austro–Hungarian monarchy (e.g., Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes).
• Ancestors who lost their Austrian citizenship when they acquired a foreign citizenship through marriage around the time of their departure from Austria.
• Ancestors who primarily resided in Austria before 15 May 1955 and left the country because they suffered or feared persecution by the Nazi regime, including persecution for their support of the democratic Republic of Austria.
• Ancestors who did not primarily reside in Austria between 30 January 1933 and 9 May 1945 for fear of persecution by the Nazi regime or because of their support for the Republic of Austria.
• Ancestors who were deported from Austria by the Nazi regime before 9 May 1945 or killed by the regime, including those killed for their support of the Republic of Austria.

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

Citizenship by award

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by award, which requires fulfilling the general requirements for naturalization and filing an application. The specific requirements depend on whether the acquisition is due to a legal claim or the authority's discretion.

General Requirements for Naturalization

• 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Austria, with a minimum of 5 years with a residence permit.
• No criminal record or pending criminal actions in Austria or abroad.
• No severe administrative offences.
• Sufficient financial means to support oneself.
• Proof of fixed and regular earnings over a period of 36 months within the last 6 years before the application. The last 6 months must be immediately before the time of application.
• German language skills and basic knowledge of the democratic system, history, and fundamental principles of Austria and each province.
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria and no danger to public peace, order, and security.
• No pending proceeding regarding the termination of residence, current prohibition of residence, or enforceable return decision.
• No eviction order within the last 12 months and no entry prohibition.
• No close relationship to any extremist or terrorist group.
• Renunciation of previous citizenship, unless exempted.

Additional Requirements for Legal Claim:

• The international relations of Austria must not be significantly affected.
• The interests of Austria must not be harmed.

Additional Requirements for Authority's Discretion:

The level of integration of the applicant, including German language skills and personal and occupational integration.

Citizenship by Investment

Austria also offers citizenship by investment, where applicants make a substantial contribution to the Austrian economy, such as through a joint venture or direct investment in a business creating jobs or generating new export sales. This route does not have prior residence requirements, but the process can be lengthy and selective. The specific investment opportunities and procedures should be carefully assessed with the help of advisors.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Austrian citizenship can be acquired through naturalisation. The general requirements for naturalisation are as follows:

• 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Austria, with a minimum of 5 years spent with a residence permit.
• No criminal record or pending criminal action in Austria or abroad.
• No severe administrative offences with a special degree of unlawfulness.
• Sufficiently secured maintenance and proof of regular earnings over a period of 36 months within the last 6 years before the time of application.
• German language skills and basic knowledge of the democratic system, the fundamental principles deriving from it, as well as the history of Austria and of each province.
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria and no close relationship to any extremist or terrorist group.
• No current prohibition of residence or enforceable return decision.
• Principally, loss of previous citizenship.

There are some exceptions to these requirements. For example, proof of regular earnings is not required if one's livelihood cannot be secured through no fault of their own, such as in cases of disability or permanent serious illness. Minors under 14 years of age and those with a poor mental or physical health condition are exempt from proving German language skills and knowledge of the democratic system.

The residence requirement may also be reduced or waived in certain cases, such as for recognised refugees, citizens of other European Economic Area nations, former citizens of Austria, and persons with substantial personal integration.

Citizenship by investment

Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, offering a high quality of life to its citizens. It is an excellent place to establish residence within the EU. Austria is the only Western European country that offers the possibility to obtain citizenship by investment and an EU passport without prior residence requirements.

Benefits of Austrian Citizenship by Investment:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to approximately 190 destinations, including Hong Kong, the rest of the EU, Europe's Schengen Area, and the USA.
• The right to reside anywhere in the EU and Switzerland.
• High quality of life.
• Excellent transport and communication systems.
• Access to high-quality healthcare and education.

Requirements for Austrian Citizenship by Investment:

Under the Citizenship by Investment provisions, applicants are required to invest actively and substantially in the Austrian economy. This could take the form of a joint venture or direct investment in a business that creates jobs, generates new export sales, or contributes to the country's foreign trade. Significant direct investment is generally required, with a minimum of 10,000,000 EUR. Passive investments in government bonds or real estate, for example, do not qualify.

In addition to standard documentary requirements, such as passports, birth, and marriage certificates, applicants must provide a completely clean personal record (certificate of no criminal record), a comprehensive CV, and business background information, as well as impeccable references.

The Austrian Citizenship Act requires applicants to abandon their current citizenship as a precondition for being granted Austrian citizenship. However, in the case of a grant of citizenship under Article 10 (6) of the Citizenship Act, the former citizenship can be legally maintained.

The grant of citizenship on the basis of a capital contribution involves various procedures and requires government approval at several levels. It is, therefore, essential to be properly advised from the beginning and to carefully prepare each individual case. Informal approvals from the key ministries should be obtained before the investment is made and the formal application process is started.

Austrian Citizenship by Residence:

An alternative way to obtain Austrian citizenship is through residence. Austria offers a golden visa program that provides residence permits to individuals who can demonstrate they have independent means and do not intend to work in the country. Requirements include a minimum of EUR 40,000 in liquid funds, permanent accommodation, private healthcare insurance, and documented German language skills (at A1 level). After 10 years of legal residence, and in certain circumstances after six years, it is possible to apply for Austrian citizenship.

Austria offers a range of options for those seeking to obtain Austrian citizenship, including citizenship by investment and residence. While the requirements are stringent and the process involves multiple steps, successful applicants will enjoy the benefits of an Austrian passport, including visa-free travel to many destinations and the right to reside and work anywhere in the EU.

Citizenship for victims of National Socialism

Austria allows victims of the Nazi regime (National Socialism) and their descendants to apply for citizenship. This is part of the country's reparative responsibility and recognition of its role in the heinous acts committed during that time. The Austrian Citizenship Law, amended in September 2020, enables victims of National Socialism and their direct descendants to apply for Austrian citizenship. This includes victims of the Holocaust and their descendants.

The eligibility criteria for descendants of victims of National Socialism have been expanded. Previously, eligibility was restricted to those whose ancestors fled Austria before May 1945, but now it has been extended to include those whose ancestors fled before 1955. Descendants are defined as sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. Additionally, the amended law grants citizenship to descendants of Austrian mothers, whereas previously, only the father's citizenship was considered.

To apply for Austrian citizenship under this program, applicants must submit a written declaration without filing a formal application. There is no deadline for submitting the written declaration, and there are no associated costs. The written declaration can be submitted to the Magistratsabteilung 35 (MA 35), the authority responsible for citizenship matters in Austria. Alternatively, applicants living abroad can submit the declaration to their local Austrian embassy or consulate general.

The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs has developed an online questionnaire to assist applicants in preparing their declaration. The questionnaire is available in German, English, Spanish, and Hebrew. Based on the answers provided, applicants will receive personalized advice and guidance on the required documents for their specific case. The MA35 is also authorized to seek support from the National Fund, which can provide additional assistance in gathering the necessary documents.

It is important to note that all government citizenship application fees are waived for victims of National Socialism and their descendants. Additionally, individuals are not required to revoke any existing citizenship, as Austria typically restricts dual citizenship. Passports are granted without the need for applicants to reside in Austria, and the law applies to both Jews and non-Jews.

Frequently asked questions