How to Obtain Austrian Citizenship in 2026

Austrian citizenship represents a legal relationship between an individual and the state, expressed through mutual rights and obligations. Holding an Austrian passport grants its owner the legal right to reside in the country and engage in any lawful activity within its territory.

Austria is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. In accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC, Austrian citizens have the right to move freely and reside in any EU member state.

Advantages of Austrian Citizenship

Austrian citizenship provides access to a wide range of social, economic, and mobility benefits. As a citizen of Austria and the European Union, individuals enjoy enhanced security, expanded rights, and global travel opportunities, making this status highly attractive for those seeking stability and international freedom.

• Living in a developed, safe, and economically stable country.
• Access to free or state-funded healthcare services.
• Eligibility for social benefits, subsidies, and other public payments.
• The opportunity to study at European universities under preferential conditions.
• Access to loans and the ability to open accounts in European banks.
• The right to purchase real estate in EU countries without special permits.
• Simplified visa procedures for the United States, Canada, and other countries.
• Visa-free or simplified entry to more than 170 countries worldwide.

What Is Required to Obtain Austrian Citizenship

Austrian citizenship is primarily granted based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). This means that a child whose mother or father is an Austrian citizen automatically acquires citizenship, regardless of their place of birth.

The following categories of individuals may also qualify for Austrian citizenship:

• minor children of foreign nationals who have obtained Austrian citizenship;
• spouses of Austrian citizens, subject to certain conditions;
• foreign nationals who complete the full naturalization process.

To obtain Austrian citizenship through naturalization, an applicant must meet several requirements:

• legally and continuously reside in Austria for at least 10 years, five of which must be with permanent resident status;
• have no criminal record or legal issues;
• demonstrate a stable source of income for the previous six years;
• possess sufficient knowledge of the German language, as well as basic understanding of Austria’s history and political system;
• pose no threat to public order or security.

Legal Ways and Grounds for Obtaining Austrian Citizenship

The purchase of Austrian citizenship is prohibited by law. To become a citizen, an individual must go through the naturalization process or qualify under one of the legal residence programs. Austrian citizenship is also not granted through the purchase of real estate (as is the case in some countries), although owning property may be considered a positive factor in the application process.

Filiation (Citizenship by Descent)

If a child is born in Austria, their citizenship corresponds to that of their parents. Children automatically acquire Austrian citizenship if the mother, father, or both parents are Austrian citizens. If the parents are not married and the father is an Austrian citizen while the mother holds another nationality, the child may acquire Austrian citizenship by descent only if paternity is officially recognized.

Repatriation

Lost citizenship may be restored to direct descendants of Austrian citizens and residents of territories that were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Current foreign nationals whose ancestors were forced to leave Austria before May 15, 1945, may qualify for restoration. This pathway is particularly relevant for victims of Nazi persecution, including individuals of Jewish origin.

Naturalization

The Austrian Citizenship Act provides for obtaining citizenship through naturalization. For nationals of countries outside the European Union who do not qualify for special programs, naturalization is the most common route. The process requires full integration into society: obtaining a visa, residence permit, long-term residence, and permanent resident status. After 10 years of legal residence and fulfillment of all conditions, a foreign national may apply for citizenship on one of the following grounds:

• Education.
  Foreign students admitted to an Austrian university may obtain a residence permit for the duration of their studies. After successfully completing their education and securing employment, they may qualify for citizenship under the general naturalization rules.
• Employment.
  Austria’s labor market is competitive, but highly qualified specialists have strong prospects. Upon signing an employment contract, they may receive the Red-White-Red Card, which is also available to foreign graduates of Austrian universities. Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders may obtain a Red-White-Red Card Plus.
• Investment.
  Citizenship may be granted within approximately 6–12 months through substantial investment. Under government regulations, applicants who invest from 10 million EUR in the Austrian economy may qualify. During this period, the applicant must reside in Austria with a residence permit. Knowledge of the German language is not required for this specific category.
• Marriage and Family Reunification.
  Citizenship through marriage is possible by entering into a legally recognized marriage with an Austrian citizen. The marriage must be registered in Austria. Initially, the foreign spouse receives a residence permit and may apply for citizenship after five years of joint residence.

Family members of an Austrian citizen may also obtain a residence permit under family reunification rules. This status is available to spouses and minor children, provided the family relationship is documented. The permit is issued for one year with the possibility of renewal.

• Asylum.
  Austria grants asylum to foreign nationals forced to leave their country due to war, natural disasters, or political persecution. Each case is assessed individually under strict criteria. Initially, a residence permit is granted for three years. If the situation in the applicant’s home country does not improve, permanent residence may subsequently be granted.

Procedure for Obtaining Austrian Citizenship

A foreign national who has met all naturalization requirements or qualified under another legal pathway may begin the citizenship application process. This involves passing a German language test, preparing the required documents, submitting an application to the competent authority, paying the applicable state fee, and awaiting the official decision.

To obtain an Austrian passport through naturalization, an applicant must complete the key stages established by national law:

1. Visa.
   To enter Austria for long-term stay, a national Type D visa is required. It is issued for up to one year by an Austrian diplomatic mission or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
2. Residence Permit (Temporary Residence).
   A residence permit is granted based on specific legal grounds, which may change over time. For example, a residence permit for study purposes may later be converted into a permit for employed workers.
3. Permanent Residence (PR).
   Under the general naturalization framework, a foreign national may apply for permanent residence after five years of legal stay with a residence permit.
4. Passport.
   An applicant may become eligible for Austrian citizenship after five years of residence with permanent resident status.

If simplified or special programs do not apply, the total minimum period required to obtain Austrian citizenship through naturalization is generally 10 years.

Collection and Preparation of Documents

The standard citizenship application dossier includes:

• international passport;
• completed citizenship application form;
• autobiography;
• photograph (35 × 45 mm);
• residence permit or permanent residence card;
• proof of income;
• proof of registered address;
• health insurance policy;
• criminal record certificate;
• German language test certificate;
• receipt confirming payment of the state fee.

Obtaining a Residence Permit

To apply for a residence permit, specific legal grounds are required — such as employment, enrollment at an Austrian university, family reunification, or other recognized purposes. The permit is issued either by the Austrian consulate in the applicant’s country of residence or by the immigration authorities in Austria.

In most cases, a residence permit is valid for one year with the possibility of renewal. However, exceptions apply. For example, a residence permit based on the Red-White-Red Card is issued for two years, unless the employment contract has a shorter duration.

To obtain residence status, the applicant must provide:

• international passport;
• birth certificate;
• photographs;
• documents confirming the legal grounds for stay.

The applicant must also demonstrate a stable source of income, valid health insurance, confirmed accommodation in Austria, and must not pose a threat to public order or security.

A residence permit may be renewed for up to five years. After this period, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in the Republic of Austria, and after an additional five years, may become eligible to apply for citizenship.

Passing the Required Tests

Knowledge of the German language is one of the mandatory requirements for obtaining Austrian citizenship. The exam includes both written and oral components and must be passed at a minimum level of B1.

In addition to proving language proficiency, applicants must also pass a citizenship test. This exam covers questions about Austria’s legal system, culture, and history. It consists of 27 questions, and at least 18 must be answered correctly. Applicants who have completed their education at an Austrian university are exempt from the integration test.

Submitting the Citizenship Application

The applicant must first schedule an appointment with the local immigration authority at their place of residence. During the appointment, they receive the official application form and a list of required documents.

Issuance and Legalization of Internal Documents

Any personal documents issued abroad must be properly legalized before they can be used in Austria. This may include marriage certificates, birth certificates, registry extracts, or notarized documents. The legalization process is handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other competent authorities.

If the documents were issued by a private entity, they must first be translated into German and then apostilled in accordance with international regulations. Once these procedures are completed, the documents become legally valid for use in Austria.

Refusal and Revocation of Austrian Citizenship

Not all applicants for Austrian citizenship receive a positive decision from the migration authorities. In some cases, an application may be rejected for the following reasons:

• the applicant has a criminal record;
• false information was provided in the submitted dossier;
• the integration test was not passed;
• the applicant failed to comply with the requirements of the chosen legalization program.

Citizenship may also be refused due to minor errors in documentation caused by the applicant’s inattention.

An individual who receives a negative decision retains the right to continue living in Austria with permanent residence status, submit a new application in the future, or file an appeal. In the case of an appeal, the decision on granting citizenship may be reconsidered.

How to Obtain an Austrian Passport

After receiving the citizenship certificate, the new citizen must visit the passport office of the municipality where they reside to apply for identification documents — an international passport and a national ID card.

The passport is required for international travel, while the ID card is used within Austria and across the European Union. The passport fee is 76 EUR, and the ID card costs 62 EUR.

Procedure for obtaining the documents:

• Visit the local passport office.
• Submit the application along with the citizenship certificate.
• Provide biometric data (fingerprints).
• Wait for official notification.
• Collect the passport and ID card.

Processing usually takes about one week. A standard Austrian passport is valid for 10 years, while the ID card does not have a fixed expiration period (subject to age-related regulations).

Dual Citizenship in Austria

Austrian law generally does not permit dual or multiple citizenship. If a foreign national acquires Austrian citizenship, they are required to renounce their previous citizenship within two years, unless an exception applies.

Dual citizenship may occur in the case of a child born to one Austrian parent and one foreign parent, provided the other country allows citizenship by descent. Upon reaching adulthood, the child may be required to choose which nationality to retain, depending on the applicable laws.

As a rule, Austria maintains strict regulations regarding multiple citizenship, and applicants from countries outside the European Union should carefully review both Austrian legislation and the laws of their home country before applying.

Assistance in Reducing the Timeframe for Legalization in Austria

Specialists in international law can help simplify the process of obtaining Austrian citizenship for nationals of countries outside the European Union. Migration consultants continuously monitor changes in immigration policy and legislation, ensuring they remain up to date with the latest legal developments.

Citizens of non-EU countries may obtain the rights of an EU resident — including freedom to choose their place of residence within the European Union, Austria included — through simplified migration programs offered by countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, or Poland, often within 1–1.5 years, where eligibility criteria are met.