Dual Citizenship: Holding British And Austrian Passports

Austrian and British passports are both highly desirable, with the former ranking 3rd in the world in terms of travel freedom and the latter allowing for visa-free travel within the EU. Both countries allow dual citizenship in certain circumstances, with Austria permitting it for those who acquired multiple citizenships at birth, and the UK allowing it for those who are naturalised citizens. However, Austrian nationality law restricts holding dual citizenship, and those who voluntarily acquire foreign citizenship will lose their Austrian citizenship unless they have obtained prior permission. Similarly, those applying for Austrian citizenship must renounce their previous citizenship unless it is impossible or unreasonable to do so.

British citizens don't need a visa for Austria

As a British citizen, you do not need a visa for short trips to Austria. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you are travelling for tourism, to visit family or friends, for business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when travelling to Austria as a British citizen:

Firstly, make sure your passport is valid for at least three months from the date you intend to leave the EU. It is strongly recommended that your passport has at least six months of validity when entering Austria, as this will often exempt you from having to prove your intended departure date from the EU. Additionally, your passport should be less than ten years old, even if it has six months or more left until its expiry date.

If you are planning to stay in Austria for more than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to meet the Austrian government's entry requirements and apply for the appropriate type of visa or work permit. You can check the requirements and apply through the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Austrian Embassy in the UK.

It is also important to note that there are specific requirements for working in Austria, which differ from the visa-free requirements for tourism or other short-term stays. Make sure to research and understand the necessary steps if you plan to work during your time in Austria.

When entering Austria, you may be asked to provide proof of your accommodation, travel insurance, return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds for your stay. Additionally, there are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Austria. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty, including cash or travellers' cheques worth 10,000 euros or more.

Finally, if you are travelling with pets, please note that pet passports issued in Great Britain are not valid for travel to the EU. Your pets will need an animal health certificate (AHC) instead.

Requirements for British citizens to work in Austria

British citizens can travel to Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa for tourism, business travel, and short-term educational purposes. However, they are not permitted to engage in any form of gainful employment or work without holding a visa or residence permit.

If you plan to work in Austria, you must ensure that you meet the necessary passport and travel requirements. As Austria is part of the Schengen area, you may be able to engage in certain business-related activities without a visa or permit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This includes activities such as attending business meetings, trade fairs, and conferences. However, each trip must not exceed 5 working days.

If you intend to stay longer or engage in other types of work, you will likely need a visa or permit. The specific requirements depend on your individual circumstances, such as the nature of your work, your qualifications, and the duration of your stay. It is essential to check with the Austrian authorities before your travel to ensure you meet their legal requirements.

• Short-term posting permit: If your UK employer has a contract or work order with an Austrian company for up to 6 months, you will need a posting permit. To qualify, you must be paid a salary equivalent to a similar position in Austria, have relevant professional experience or a university degree, and maintain your UK employment contract.
• Short-term highly skilled key worker permit: This permit is applicable if your UK employer provides a contractual service to an Austrian client. To qualify, you must work in a profession listed in Annex 4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, have a university degree or equivalent, at least 3 years of professional experience, and maintain your UK employment.
• Short-term freelancer visa: If you are a UK-based freelancer looking to work in Austria, you can apply for this visa. Requirements include being based in the UK and not established in the EU, providing a service listed in Annex 4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, having a degree or equivalent qualifications, and at least 6 years of relevant professional experience.
• Long-term residence and work permit: This is necessary if you are transferring long-term from a UK-based company to an Austrian branch, working for an Austrian company on a long-term contract, providing long-term services to an Austrian client, carrying out long-term self-employed work, or founding a startup company in Austria.
• Red-White-Red Card: This is a points-based residence permit for highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, other key workers, or graduates of an Austrian university or college.
• EU Blue Card: This residence permit is for highly skilled work in Austria for at least a year. To qualify, you must have at least 3 years of education at the bachelor's degree level, an offer of employment from an Austrian company for at least 6 months, and meet gross annual salary requirements.

The application process and specific document requirements may vary, so it is crucial to refer to the Austrian authorities for detailed and up-to-date information.

Austrian citizenship by investment

In general, Austrian citizenship law does not permit dual citizenship. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you acquire Austrian citizenship by descent, you will not lose this citizenship if you also acquire another citizenship. Additionally, if you are granted Austrian citizenship under Article 10 (6) of the Citizenship Act, you may not be required to give up your previous citizenship.

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, or extension of the award. Children automatically become Austrian citizens at birth if their mother is an Austrian citizen. If the parents are married and only the father is an Austrian citizen, the child will also be an Austrian citizen. If the parents are not married and only the father is an Austrian citizen, the child acquires citizenship if the father recognises his parenthood within 8 weeks or if his fatherhood is determined by a court.

Austrian citizenship can also be acquired by award if the general requirements for naturalisation are fulfilled and an application is filed. These requirements include:

• 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 action in Austria or abroad
• 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, history, and fundamental principles of Austria
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria and no close relationship to any extremist or terrorist group

Austria is the only Western European country that offers the possibility to obtain citizenship by investment without prior residence requirements. Under the citizenship by investment provisions, applicants are required to invest actively in the Austrian economy, such as through a joint venture or direct investment in a business that creates jobs or generates new export sales. There is no minimum investment amount, but it should be a significant contribution. In addition to the standard documentary requirements, applicants must provide a completely clean personal record, a comprehensive CV, and business background information. The grant of citizenship is at the sole discretion of the Government of Austria.

Austrian citizenship by descent

Austrian citizenship law does not typically permit dual citizenship. If you acquire a foreign citizenship, you will lose your Austrian citizenship unless you apply for a permit of retention before acquiring the foreign citizenship. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

One exception is if you acquire multiple citizenships at birth, for example, by descent from one parent with Austrian citizenship and another without, or by the country-of-birth principle. In this case, you will not lose your Austrian citizenship, and you will not be required to give it up when you reach the age of majority.

Another exception is if you are a descendant of victims of the Nazi regime. In recognition of its historical responsibility, the Austrian government amended the Austrian Citizenship Act in 2022 to allow victims of the Nazi regime and their descendants to apply for citizenship. This includes people who suffered or feared persecution by the Nazi regime, including those who supported the democratic Republic of Austria.

To be eligible, at least one of your ancestors must have:

• Been a citizen of one of the successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy (particularly Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes)
• Primarily resided in Austria before 15 May 1955 and left the country because they suffered or feared persecution by the Nazi regime
• Been an Austrian citizen who did not primarily reside in Austria between 30 January 1933 and 9 May 1945 because they would have feared persecution if they returned to or entered Austria
• Been an Austrian citizen who was deported from Austria by the Nazi regime before 9 May 1945 or was killed by the regime, including as a result of being denied medical care, food, or due to injuries from torture

To apply for Austrian citizenship as a descendant of victims of the Nazi regime, you must submit the following documents:

• A current passport photograph (not older than six months), complying with Austrian criteria
• Marriage and divorce certificates, if applicable, in case the original surname was changed
• Certificate of change of name, if applicable
• Criminal record from the country of residence, not older than eight months (for US residents, this must be issued by the FBI)
• Birth certificate of the persecuted ancestor (if available)
• Marriage certificate of the persecuted ancestor (if available)
• Evidence that the ancestor was persecuted (if available). The birth certificate is usually sufficient evidence for Jewish persons
• Evidence that the persecuted ancestor was residing in Austria (in case they were a citizen of one of the successor states of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy)
• Evidence that the ancestor fled from Austria (for example, passenger lists) or was deported by the Nazi regime
• Death certificate or other evidence if the ancestor was killed by the Nazi regime

Applying for an Austrian passport

If you are applying for an Austrian passport, you must appear in person at the Austrian Embassy in London. You will need to book an appointment online, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 12:00, except on Austrian and British bank holidays.

The following documents are required for your application:

• Your current passport or a Lost/Theft Police Report if it has been lost or stolen.
• A birth certificate (British certificates require a long version with an Apostille).
• Proof of Austrian citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis).
• Marriage certificate and/or divorce decree if applicable (British certificates with Apostille).
• Proof of residence (e.g. a utility bill no older than 3 months).
• Proof of legal residence in the UK (e.g. residence permit, proof of pre-/settled status, British/Irish passport, visa).
• 1 new passport photograph, not older than 6 months, according to EU criteria.
• A filled-out Affidavit Adult form.
• A filled-out application form.

There is a fee payable by debit card, which is approximately EUR 76 for adults and EUR 30 for children younger than 12 years.

Additional documents for children under 18

If you are applying for a passport for a child under 18, you will also need the following documents:

• Passports of both parents.
• Birth certificates of parents (British certificates with Apostille).
• Proof of Austrian citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) of the child (or of parents for first application).
• Marriage certificate of parents if married (British certificates with Apostille).
• Proof of custody (residence order) of parents if divorced.
• Filled-out Affidavit Child form.
• Filled-out Affidavit Adult form (Austrian parent only).
• Filled-out application form.

Processing time

The processing time for passports is 5 to 10 days if all the required documents are provided.

Frequently asked questions