Exploring Austria's Rules And Regulations

Austria is a federal representative democratic republic with a rich history and a vibrant culture. It has a population of over 8 million people and is divided into nine provinces, each with its own administration. The country's legal system is based on Roman law and common law tradition, encompassing public law, private law, and criminal law. Austria's formal head of state is the Federal President, who is directly elected by the people and limited to two consecutive terms. The country's political landscape is diverse, with various parties negotiating and forming coalitions.

Austria's social norms and customs value politeness and punctuality. The country has strict citizenship rules, which may undergo changes in the future to ease requirements for certain groups. Additionally, Austria has implemented stricter smoking regulations in recent years. When visiting the country, it is important to respect their cultural norms and be mindful of local laws and regulations.

Citizenship rules

Austrian citizenship can be acquired by descent, award, extension of the award, or re-acquisition.

Descent

If born in wedlock, a child automatically becomes an Austrian citizen at birth if one parent is an Austrian citizen. If born before 1 September 1983, the father must be the Austrian citizen. If born out of wedlock, the mother must be the Austrian citizen. Since 1 August 2013, children born out of wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship if the father is an Austrian citizen and acknowledges paternity within eight weeks of the child's birth.

Award

To acquire Austrian citizenship by award, the general requirements for naturalization must be fulfilled and an application must be filed. The general requirements for naturalization 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 (both in Austria and abroad)
• Sufficiently secured maintenance
• Proof of fixed and regular earnings over a period of 36 months on average within the last 6 years before the time of application
• German language skills and basic knowledge of the democratic system, history of Austria, and each province
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria

Extension of the Award

Spouses of Austrian citizens 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 in a joint household. The spouse must renounce their present citizenship.

Re-Acquisition

Former Austrian citizens who lost citizenship may be able to re-acquire it. For example, a woman who lost Austrian citizenship before 1 September 1983 due to marrying an alien may re-obtain citizenship if she applies within five years of her husband's death or divorce. Additionally, former Austrian citizens who possessed citizenship for at least ten years before losing it may be eligible for a simplified re-acquisition procedure.

Punctuality customs

Punctuality is a sign of respect in Austria. In business, punctuality is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, it is important to telephone immediately and offer an explanation. Last-minute cancellations are considered extremely rude and could ruin your business relationship.

Austrians are conservative people, and they are prudent and moderate in their behaviour. They are also very detail-oriented and meticulous about details. They are direct in their communication and will follow strict rules of protocol.

In social situations, Austrians extend invitations in advance of the event, and the more formal the occasion, the more time they will give. This ensures that their guests do not have a prior engagement.

Punctuality is also important in everyday situations. For example, Austrians generally devote their weekends to family activities and dinners. They also usually visit their grandparents for dinner on Sundays.

Dining etiquette

It is considered a compliment to the cook to cut as much of your food with your fork as possible, indicating that the food is very tender. It is also customary to finish everything on your plate. When you have finished eating, indicate this by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right. The host gives the first toast, and everyone lifts and clinks glasses, looks the person making the toast in the eye, and says, 'Prost!' At the end of the meal, an honoured guest should offer a toast of thanks to the host.

If you are invited to dinner at an Austrian's house, it is customary to bring a small gift of consumables, such as chocolates. If giving flowers, always give an odd number as, except for 12, even numbers mean bad luck. Gifts should be nicely wrapped and are usually opened when received. It is important to arrive on time, as punctuality is a sign of respect. It is customary to dress conservatively and elegantly. In some houses, you may be asked to remove your shoes.

Smoking restrictions

The decision to implement a total ban was made after years of controversy and pressure from groups such as the far-right Freedom Party, which was part of the last government. The ban has been enforced in Vienna, with figures from mid-November 2024 indicating that inspectors carried out over 2,000 checks of restaurants and reported 27 breaches.

In addition to the smoking ban in bars and restaurants, Austria has also adopted graphical health warnings on combustible cigarettes, covering 65% of the front and back of packaging. Tobacco and e-cigarettes cannot be sold to individuals under the age of 18.

Despite these measures, Austria continues to face challenges with high tobacco use rates, particularly among young people. In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, with a slightly higher prevalence among males (23.7%) compared to females (20.5%). Among adolescents aged 14-17, 25% were current smokers. Tobacco is the second-leading risk factor for death and disability in the country, responsible for an estimated 8,500 deaths (20.1% of all deaths) in 2021.

Disability accessibility

Austria actively promotes the equality and rights of people with disabilities at both the EU and international levels. The Federal Disability Equality Act (BGStG), which came into effect on 1 January 2006, obliges the federal government to take measures to facilitate the barrier-free access of people with disabilities to its services and offers. The goal of the law is the equal participation of people with disabilities in society.

The Austrian Disability Council is a politically independent and non-religious umbrella organisation representing more than 85 member associations and about 1.4 million people with disabilities in Austria. The council works on the development and upkeep of various documentations (technical aids, specialised literature, social services and institutions) in connection with the existing documentations of various institutions and organisations. It also prepares political proposals and demands of people with disabilities and attempts to realise these on a national and international level, especially in the areas of building and engineering, justice, the labour market, social affairs, education and vocational training.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will create uniform regulations for the accessible use of certain products and services such as computers, mobile phones, ticket machines in public transport systems, payment terminals, e-books and e-commerce. This will make an important contribution towards breaking down existing barriers in public life, enabling people with disabilities to lead independent lives.

Austria's hospitality industry is also known for ensuring that everyone can enjoy a worry-free holiday. Mutual consideration and modern infrastructure are key. Guests with limited mobility or sensory perception will find a wide range of offers, both in the city and in the countryside, throughout all Austrian provinces.

Austria's landmark legislation on digital accessibility, the Accessibility Act and Amendment to the Social Ministry Service Act, will be enforced in June 2025. The ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for overseeing compliance. The act is designed to enhance user interaction and accessibility in various sectors, from general-purpose computer hardware to a diverse array of electronic services.

Frequently asked questions