How can I get Austrian citizenship?

Austria offers several pathways to citizenship, including descent, marriage, naturalization, and, in rare cases, investment.

Each route for getting Austrian citizenship has its own requirements, and most applicants must demonstrate a long-term connection to the country, substantial residency, and a positive contribution to society.

In this guide, we will be talking about:

• Is it hard to get Austrian citizenship?
• How strong is the Austrian passport?
• Can you get citizenship through marriage in Austria?
• How do you get Austrian citizenship by descent?
• How to get naturalized in Austria?
• How much do you need to invest in Austria to get citizenship?
• Austrian citizenship criteria

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Acquiring Austrian citizenship is a complex and highly regulated process.

It involves strict eligibility criteria, thorough background checks, and a significant commitment to integration.

Is it difficult to get Austrian citizenship?

Yes. Obtaining Austrian citizenship is considered challenging compared to many other countries.

Austria’s laws are designed to ensure that only those who are fully integrated, law-abiding, and financially stable can become citizens.

The standard naturalization process requires ten years of continuous legal residence, a clean criminal record, proof of stable income, and proficiency in German.

Exceptions exist for certain categories, such as spouses of Austrian citizens or those with exceptional achievements, but the process remains stringent.

Austria also generally requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship, as dual citizenship is not typically allowed except in rare circumstances.

The entire process is overseen by provincial governments and is subject to the discretion of Austrian authorities, making it both selective and competitive.

Austrian Citizenship Benefits and Drawbacks

Key Benefits:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 countries, making it one of the world’s strongest passports.

• Full rights within the European Union, including the ability to live, work, and study in any EU/EEA country.

• Access to world-class healthcare and education, including free or highly subsidized university tuition.

• Political stability and safety, with Austria consistently ranked among the safest countries globally.

• High quality of life, with beautiful natural landscapes, rich culture, and strong social services.

• Legal protection and social benefits as an EU and Austrian citizen

Major Drawbacks:

• You must renounce your current citizenship before receiving Austrian citizenship.

• During the interim, you may be stateless and become unable to travel or facing bureaucratic complications.

• Austria does not typically allow dual nationality, except in limited cases (birthright, exceptional merit, Holocaust reparations).

• The process is costly, with application and renunciation fees around €1,000, plus potential legal or translation fees, totaling €2,500 or more.

• Naturalization can take months to years (9–12 months at minimum, frequently longer), especially for non‑EU residents, with bureaucratic uncertainty.

• Citizenship can be revoked in rare cases (e.g., refusal to sing the national anthem during the ceremony was the legal basis for revocation in one Lower Austria case).

• Applicants must satisfy strict criteria on language (B1 German), civic knowledge, clean criminal records, income, and integration. Failure in any area may delay or block naturalization.

How strong is an Austrian passport?

The Austrian passport is among the world’s most powerful.

According to Henley’s Global Passport Ranking, it ranks 4th globally, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations.

This strength reflects Austria’s diplomatic influence and its status as a stable, prosperous EU member state.

Austrian passport holders enjoy extensive global mobility, access to the European Union, and the right to live and work anywhere within the EU.

How to get Austrian citizenship

Austrian citizenship can be obtained through several main pathways:

• By descent (birth or ancestry)
• By marriage
• By naturalization (standard route)
• By investment (exceptional cases)

Each route has specific requirements and procedures, which are outlined below.

How to get Austrian citizenship by marriage

Marriage to an Austrian citizen does not automatically grant citizenship.

Anyhow, it can shorten the residency requirement.

Foreign spouses may apply for Austrian citizenship after six years of marriage and legal residence in Austria.

The marriage should be intact while applying.

Applicants must still meet all other criteria, including German language proficiency, financial stability, and a clean criminal record.

Permanent residency is usually granted first, and after fulfilling the marriage and residency requirements, the spouse can apply for citizenship.

The authorities will assess the genuineness of the marriage, integration into Austrian society, and compliance with all legal obligations.

How to get Austrian citizenship by descent

Austrian citizenship by descent follows the jus sanguinis principle, meaning citizenship is passed from parent to child.

Children automatically become Austrian citizens at birth if:

• The mother is an Austrian citizen
• The parents are married, and the father is Austrian
• If the parents are not married, the father must recognize paternity within eight weeks of birth for the child to acquire citizenship automatically

If paternity is recognized after this period, the child may still obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Dual citizenship is possible for children if the non-Austrian parent’s country also allows it.

Austria generally requires a choice upon reaching adulthood unless exceptions apply.

Children born abroad who gain dual citizenship can keep both, but cannot obtain more later unless exceptions like Holocaust reparation, professorship, or state interest are granted.

Special provisions exist for children born abroad, adopted children, and descendants of Austrians persecuted during specific historical periods.

How to get Austrian citizenship by naturalization

Naturalization is the most common route for foreign nationals. The general requirements for Austrian citizenship by naturalization are:

• Ten years of continuous legal residence in Austria (with at least five years holding a residence permit)
• Irreproachable integrity (no criminal convictions or pending criminal proceedings)
• Stable and regular income for at least 36 months within the last six years prior to application
• German language proficiency (proof required, usually by fulfilling Module 2 of the Integration Agreement)
• Basic knowledge of Austrian democracy, laws, and history (demonstrated through a written exam)
• Positive attitude toward the Republic of Austria
• No threat to public peace, order, or security
• No recent expulsion or entry ban
• Renunciation of previous citizenship (with limited exceptions)

Applicants must submit extensive documentation and pass background checks.

The process is overseen by provincial authorities and can take several years to complete.

Note – Although the legal residence requirement is 10 years, EU/EEA citizens qualify within six years. Additionally, those with B-2 level German are allowed to apply after 6 years.

How to get Austrian citizenship by investment

Austria does not have a standard citizenship-by-investment program.

However, in exceptional cases, the government may grant citizenship to those who make a substantial and direct contribution to the Austrian economy, science, culture, or society.

This is often referred to as “citizenship by exceptional merit.”

Requirements for this route are not publicly standardized but generally include:

• Significant investment in Austrian businesses or the economy
• Demonstrated benefit to the country (such as job creation or innovation)
• Approval at the highest government levels

This pathway is rare, highly discretionary, and usually reserved for individuals whose contributions are deemed extraordinary.

Successful applicants may be allowed to retain their original citizenship, but this is an exception rather than the rule.

The easiest way to get Austrian citizenship

For most people, the easiest way to obtain Austrian citizenship is by descent, if they have an Austrian parent.

For others, marriage to an Austrian citizen can reduce the residency requirement to six years, provided all other conditions are met.

For those without family ties, the standard naturalization process remains the primary route, though it is lengthy and demanding.

Austrian Citizenship Process

The process for acquiring Austrian citizenship involves several stages:

1. Determine eligibility: 

You can apply via several routes:

By descent (jus sanguinis) – if at least one parent is Austrian

By naturalization, including:

• Ordinary path: 10 years of continuous legal residence (with at least 5 years on a residence permit).
• Reduced time (6–15 years) may apply with extraordinary integration or Austrian family ties.
• Spousal naturalization possible after a shared household, timeframe varies.

By special recognition or political refuge, e.g., descendants of Nazi persecution may apply via special provisions (§58c) without renouncing prior citizenship.

By investment or exceptional merit, though very rare and only under state discretion.

2. Gather documentation:

Commonly required documentation consists of:

• Proof of residence
• Financial self-sufficiency (stable income for at least 36 of the past 72 months)
• German proficiency (Integration Agreement module 2, approx. B1)
• Clean criminal record
• Knowledge of Austrian democracy, laws, and history

3. Submit application: 

File the application with the relevant provincial citizenship office (Landesregierung) or an Austrian embassy/consulate if abroad.

4. Attend interviews/exams:

Complete language and civic knowledge tests, and attend interviews if required.

5. Background checks:

Authorities conduct thorough checks for criminal history, financial stability, and integration.

6. Decision:

The provincial government reviews the application and makes a decision. The process can take several months to years.

7. Renounce previous citizenship:

In most cases, proof of renunciation of prior citizenship is required before the final grant of Austrian citizenship. Exceptions include:

• Those who inherited two citizenships at birth.
• Applicants who obtain written permission before taking up a second nationality, justified by exceptional service, family hardship, or state interest.
• Descendants of Nazi persecution victims may claim Austrian citizenship without renouncing other nationality

8. Oath of allegiance:

Successful applicants must take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Austria.

Austrian Citizenship Requirements

The main requirements for Austrian citizenship are as follows:

• Long-term legal residence (usually ten years, with some exceptions)
• Stable and regular income
• German language proficiency (usually B1 level or higher)
• Basic knowledge of Austrian law, democracy, and history
• Clean criminal record
• Positive integration and attitude toward Austria
• Renunciation of previous citizenship (unless exempted)

Applicants must provide detailed documentation and may be required to pass written and oral examinations.

However, additional requirements may be necessitated based on the specific pathway chosen to obtain citizenship.

Note – In the future, there is also a possibility for the language requirement to be raised to B2 level from the existing B1 level.

Austrian Citizenship Rules

Austrian citizenship is governed by strict rules:

• Dual citizenship is generally not allowed, except for children born with multiple nationalities or in rare cases of exceptional merit.
• Applicants must renounce previous citizenship before being granted Austrian nationality.
• Applicants must demonstrate integration through language skills, knowledge of Austrian society, and financial independence.
• Authorities have discretion in granting citizenship, especially in cases involving investment or exceptional achievements.

FAQs

Can I get Austrian citizenship?

You can obtain Austrian citizenship if you meet the requirements for one of the recognized pathways: descent, marriage, naturalization, or exceptional contribution (investment).

Each route has specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

How to get permanent residency in Austria?

Permanent residency in Austria is typically granted after five years of continuous legal residence with a valid residence permit.

Applicants must demonstrate financial stability, health insurance, and integration (including German language skills).

Permanent residents can live and work in Austria indefinitely but do not have the same rights as citizens.

Can I buy permanent residency in Austria?

Austria does not offer a standard golden visa or direct purchase of permanent residency.

However, individuals who invest significantly in the Austrian economy may be eligible for certain residence permits.

These are subject to strict scrutiny and do not guarantee citizenship or permanent residency.

Is there a golden visa for Austria?

Austria does not have a formal golden visa program like some other EU countries.

There are residence permits for investors, entrepreneurs, and financially independent persons, but these do not automatically lead to citizenship.

The process for permanent residency and citizenship remains rigorous and selective.

How do I get a golden visa in Austria in 2025?

As of 2025, Austria’s approach to investor visas remains unchanged.

Individuals can apply for residence permits if they make a significant economic contribution, but there is no direct golden visa or citizenship-by-investment program.

Any path to citizenship through investment is highly discretionary and rare, requiring exceptional merit and government approval.

Key Takeaways

• Austrian citizenship is challenging to obtain, with strict requirements and long residency periods for most applicants.
• The Austrian passport ranks among the world’s strongest, offering visa-free access to 188 destinations and full EU rights.
• Main pathways include descent, marriage, naturalization, and exceptional investment, each with specific eligibility rules.
• Dual citizenship is generally not allowed, except in rare cases or for children born with multiple nationalities.
• Naturalization requires ten years of legal residence, German proficiency, and financial independence.
• Austria does not have a standard golden visa or citizenship-by-investment program. Exceptional economic contributors may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Permanent residency is possible after five years, but it does not grant the same rights as citizenship.
• Applicants must renounce previous citizenship before being granted Austrian nationality, with limited exceptions.
• The process is selective and discretionary, requiring thorough documentation and integration into Austrian society.

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