Certificate of Citizenship (2024)

• Children born in wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship by birth if one of the parents is Austrian citizen at the time of the child's birth (children born before 1.9.1983 obtain Austrian citizenship only if the father is Austrian)
• children born out of wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship if the mother is Austrian at the time of the child's birth (since 1.8.2013 children born out of wedlock obtain Austrian citizenship if the father is Austrian at the time of the child's birth and an acknowledgemet of paternity is made within eight weeks of the child's birth

An alien spouse of an Austrian national may obtain Austrian citizenship if

1. the applicant has been legally and continuously resident in Austria for at least six years and
2. he/she has been married for at least five years in joint household.

Please note that the alien spouse has to renounce his/her present citizenship.

An alien has a right to obtain Austrian citizenship if

• he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least thirty years or
• he/she has lived in Austria permanently for at least fifteen years and can demonstrate successful personal and professional integration in Austria.

Aliens may also apply for Austrian citizenship under the following preconditions:

1. at least 10 years of continuous stay in Austria (a minimum five years of which as permanent resident)
2. sufficient financial means/secure income
3. no criminal record
4. sufficient knowledge of the German language
5. positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria.

Some aliens (e.g. EEA citizens) may apply for citizenship after six years of permanent residence in Austria.

• A female who lost Austrian citizenship prior to 1 September 1983 because of getting married to an alien may re-obtain her Austrian citizenship if she applies for it within five years after her husband's death or her being divorced from him.
• For former Austrian citizens, who were Austrian nationals for at least ten years before losing Austrian citizenship, a preferential re-acquisition by a simplified procedure is possible. The applicant has to be present in Austria. Any foreign nationality has to be given up, though.
• All individuals who were forced to leave Austria as Austrian citizens before 9 May 1945 because they had to fear persecution by bodies of the NSDAP or the authorities of the Third Reich or who have suffered such persecution or were persecuted because of their defence of the democratic Republic of Austria may re-establish their Austrian citizenship by declaration.

• Acquisition of a foreign nationality by application: an Austrian citizen applying for a foreign nationality will automatically lose his/her Austrian citizenship upon obtaining foreign nationality.
• Joining the armed forces of a foreign country: an Austrian citizen voluntarily entering the armed forces of a foreign country loses his/herAustrian citizenship.
• Revocation: an Austrian citizen both working for a foreign state and adversely affecting the interests and reputation of the Republic of Austria loses his/her citizenship. Also, Austrian citizenship may be revoked, if newly naturalized Austrians do not renounce their previous citizenship within two years, as required.
• Giving up Austrian citizenship: an Austrian citizen may, under certain circ*mstances, renounce his/her Austrian citizenship.

• Application form "Antrag auf Ausstellung eines österreichischen Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweises" completed and signed
• Form "Personenstandserklärung Erwachsene" completed and signed
• ID-Document: passport, ID-Card
• Birth Certificate
• Proof of other citizenship(s) (original and copy)
• Proof of current place of residence according to local standards (not older than 4 weeks: utility bill, driver’s licence or similar)
• Proof that you have not acquired a foreign nationality (not older than 2 months)
• in Australia: VEVO Entitlement Check (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) from the Australian Department of Home Affairs
• in New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Department of Internal Affairs
• (these documents are only available for foreign citizens with permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand).
• in Australia self-addressed pre-paid envelope (only required if you do not wish to pick up the document in person; registered post, express or platinum express recommended)
• Consular fees: to be paid by cash, bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order (made out to "Austrian Embassy")

In addition if applicable:

• Previous Austrian Citizenship Certificate
• "Certificate of Grant of Austrian Citizenship" ("Bescheid über die Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft")
• De-registration from the Austrian Registration Office ("Abmeldebestätigung des Meldeamtes")
• Marriage Certificate
• Certificate of Divorce
• Official documents stating name changes

If applying for an Austrian Citizenship Certificate for the first time:

• Marriage Certificate of parents
• Certificate of Citizenship of Austrian parent(s)
• Proof of residence status of the Austrian parent(s)
• in Australia: "Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status" or VEVOfrom the Australian Department of Home Affairs
• in New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Department of Internal Affairs
• (these documents are only available for foreign citizens with permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand).

Further documents may be required on a case by case basis.

• Application form "Antrag auf Ausstellung eines österreichischen Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweises" completed and signed
• Form "Personenstandserklärung Minderjährige" completed and signed
• ID-Document: passport, ID-Card
• Copy of both parents' passports: Austrian and foreign (data pages only)
• Birth Certificate
• Birth Certificates of both parents
• if applicable: Marriage Certificate of parents
• Certificate of Citizenship of Austrian parent(s)
• if applicable: Certificate of Divorceof parents and proof of Legal Guardianship of the parent (decision by the relevant family court)
• if applicable: previous Austrian Citizenship Certificate or "Certificate of Grant of Austrian Citizenship" ("Bescheid über die Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft")
• Proof of other citizenship(s) (original and copy)
• Proof of current place of residence according to local standards (not older than 4 weeks)
• Proof that the minor has not acquired a foreign nationality (not older than 2 months)
  • in Australia: VEVO Entitlement Check (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) from the Australian Department of Home Affairs
  • in New Zealand: Denial of Citizenship, to be obtained from the Department of Internal Affairs
  • (these documents are only available for foreign citizens with permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand).
• in Australia self-addressed pre-paid envelope (only required if you do not wish to pick up the document in person; registered post, express or platinum express recommended)
• Consular fees: to be paid by cash, bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order (made out to "Austrian Embassy")

Further documents may be required on a case by case basis.