Austrian Residents: How To Get A Passport

Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, offering a high quality of life, a well-developed and stable economy, and awe-inspiring natural attractions. As such, it is an excellent place to establish residence within the EU. Austrian citizens can live and work in the country and anywhere else in the EU and Switzerland at any time. Austrian citizenship is highly coveted, and the Austrian government is particularly restrictive in conferring citizenship to foreign nationals. However, there are several ways to obtain Austrian citizenship, including by descent, marriage, application, and re-acquisition. Obtaining an Austrian passport requires specific documents, and the process may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances.

Requirements for Austrian citizenship

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, extension of the award, or investment. Here is a detailed overview of the requirements for Austrian citizenship:

Citizenship by Descent

Children born in wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship by birth if one of the parents 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 acquires citizenship if the father recognizes his parenthood within eight weeks or if it is determined by a court. In all cases where recognition of fatherhood occurs after this timeframe, children may be awarded Austrian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Citizenship by Award

For citizenship by award, the general requirements for naturalization must be fulfilled, and an application must be filed. The general requirements include:

• 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Austria, with a minimum of 5 years holding a residence permit
• No criminal record or pending criminal action, either in Austria or abroad
• Sufficiently secured maintenance and regular earnings
• Proficiency in the German language and basic knowledge of the democratic system, fundamental principles, and Austrian history
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria and no close relationship to any extremist or terrorist group

Citizenship by Investment

Austria is one of the few countries that offer citizenship by investment. Applicants are required to invest actively and substantially in the Austrian economy, such as through joint ventures or direct investments in businesses that create jobs or generate new export sales. In addition to standard documentary requirements, applicants must provide a clean personal record, a comprehensive CV, business background information, and impeccable references.

Citizenship by Application

Aliens have the right to obtain Austrian citizenship through application if they have lived in Austria permanently for at least 30 years or 15 years with demonstrated successful personal and professional integration. Additional preconditions include continuous residence, sufficient financial means, German language proficiency, and a positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria.

Application process for Austrian citizenship

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, extension of the award, or investment. Here is a detailed overview of the application process for Austrian citizenship:

Citizenship by Descent

Children born in wedlock acquire Austrian citizenship by birth if one of the parents is an Austrian citizen at the time of the child's birth. If the parents are not married and only the father is an Austrian citizen, the child acquires citizenship if the father recognizes his parenthood within eight weeks of the child's birth or if his fatherhood is determined by a court.

Citizenship by Award

For the acquisition of Austrian citizenship by award, the general requirements for naturalization must be fulfilled, and an application must be filed. The general requirements include:

• 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Austria, with a minimum of 5 years holding a residence permit.
• No criminal record or pending criminal action, in Austria or abroad.
• Sufficiently secured maintenance and regular earnings over a period of 36 months within the last 6 years before the application.
• German language skills and basic knowledge of the democratic system, the fundamental principles, and the history of Austria and its provinces.
• A positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria and no close relationship to any extremist or terrorist group.

Citizenship by Investment

Austria is one of the few countries that offer citizenship by investment without prior residence requirements. Applicants are required to invest actively and significantly in the Austrian economy, such as through joint ventures or direct investments in businesses that create jobs or generate new export sales. The application process involves submitting the necessary documents, undergoing a due diligence process, and obtaining government approval.

Application for Austrian Citizenship Certificate

The Austrian Citizenship Certificate confirms an individual's Austrian citizenship. The application for this certificate must be lodged in person at the Austrian Embassy or one of its consulates. The required documents include:

• A completed and signed application form.
• A valid passport or ID card.
• Proof of current residence (not older than 4 weeks).
• Proof of other citizenship(s) and proof that the applicant has not acquired a foreign nationality (if applicable).
• Consular fees.
• Additional documents may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Obtaining Citizenship by Marriage

An individual married to an Austrian national may obtain Austrian citizenship if they have been legally and continuously resident in Austria for at least six years and have been married for at least five years. It is important to note that the applicant will have to renounce their present citizenship.

Obtaining Citizenship by Application

An individual has the right to obtain Austrian citizenship by application if they have lived in Austria permanently for at least thirty years or at least fifteen years with successful personal and professional integration. Additionally, they must meet the following preconditions:

• A minimum of 10 years of continuous stay in Austria, with at least five years as a permanent resident.
• Sufficient financial means and a secure income.
• Sufficient knowledge of the German language.
• A positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria.

Documents required for Austrian citizenship

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, extension of the award, or notification. Here is a list of documents that may be required when applying for Austrian citizenship:

• Application form
• Affidavit or Affidavit for Minors
• Original and copy of passport and passport of parents (for minors)
• Original birth certificate of the applicant and their parents (for minors) and a copy
• Original marriage certificate and marriage certificate of parents (for minors) and a copy
• Original divorce decree/divorce decree of parents (for minors) and a copy
• Original alien registration card or valid visa and a copy
• Proof of current residence
• Consular fee
• Self-addressed and stamped envelope
• Proof of German language skills
• Proof of knowledge of the democratic system of Austria, its fundamental principles, and its history

In addition, standard documentary requirements for citizenship by investment include a valid passport, proof of contribution, health insurance, a clean criminal record, a comprehensive CV, business background information, and impeccable references.

Once Austrian citizenship has been granted, individuals can apply for an Austrian passport. The following documents are required for a passport application:

• Application form
• Current passport (or a Lost/Theft Police Report if the passport is lost/stolen)
• 2 recent passport photographs
• Original Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or valid visa
• Proof of current residence
• Birth certificate and a copy
• Proof of Austrian citizenship
• Approval of dual citizenship and a copy of the U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (if applicable)
• Marriage certificate(s) and divorce decree(s) including previous marriages (if applicable)
• Proof of academic degree (if you wish to have it entered in the passport)
• Return envelope

Austrian citizenship for descendants of Nazi victims

As a resident of Austria, you don't automatically get a passport. However, if you are an EU citizen or Swiss national, you have the right to reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa. After five years of legal and continuous residence in Austria, you can apply for a 'certificate of permanent residence'.

Now, regarding Austrian citizenship for descendants of Nazi victims, here is some detailed information:

Austria allows victims of the Nazi regime and their descendants to apply for citizenship as part of its reparative responsibility. This includes both direct descendants and those adopted as minors. The eligibility criteria and application process are outlined below:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have a direct ancestor who was persecuted or feared persecution by the Nazi regime and fled Austria before 1955 (previously before May 1945).
• The ancestor must have primarily resided in Austria before May 15, 1955, and left the country due to persecution or fear of persecution, including support for the democratic Republic of Austria.
• The ancestor can also be someone who did not reside in Austria between January 30, 1933, and May 9, 1945, for fear of persecution or because of their support for the Republic of Austria.
• If the ancestor was an Austrian citizen, they must have been deported from Austria by the Nazi regime before May 9, 1945, or killed by the regime, including denial of medical care or sufficient food, or due to injuries from torture.
• The ancestor can be a stateless person or a citizen of one of the successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy (Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes). They must have primarily resided in Austria before May 9, 1945, and been deported or killed by the Nazi regime.

Application Process:

• Applicants must file a declaration (Anzeige) along with mandatory apostilled supporting documents.
• Applications can be submitted at a local Austrian embassy or consulate general, but it is recommended to apply through the relevant authority in Vienna.
• The following documents are typically required:
• Current passport photograph (not older than six months) complying with Austrian criteria.
• Marriage and divorce certificates, if applicable, especially if the original surname was changed.
• Certificate of name change, 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 ancestor (if available).
• Evidence of persecution of the ancestor (if available). The birth certificate is usually sufficient for Jewish persons.
• Proof of the ancestor's residence in Austria, especially if they were a citizen of a successor state of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
• Evidence of flight, such as passenger lists.
• Evidence of deportation by the Nazi regime, if applicable.
• Death certificate or other evidence if the ancestor was killed by the Nazi regime.
• The entire process typically takes four to six months.

It is important to note that this information is subject to change, and it is recommended to refer to the official Austrian government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Visa requirements for Austrian citizens

Summary

Austrian citizens can travel visa-free to most countries, including the US, which requires an ESTA. EU citizens can also reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa.

Visa-free travel

Austrian citizens can travel to 159 countries without a visa, including:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• United Arab Emirates
• British Virgin Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• São Tomé and Príncipe

EVisa

Austrian citizens can obtain an eVisa for 21 countries, including:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Visa on arrival

Austrian citizens can get a visa on arrival for 30 countries, including:

• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Sudan

Visa required

A visa is required to enter 16 countries, including:

• China
• Russia
• India

Residence in Austria

EU citizens and Swiss nationals can reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa. To stay longer than three months, they must meet certain requirements and notify the settlement authority.

Frequently asked questions