Who qualifies
- Likely AustrianA parent who was Austrian when you were bornFor married parents, either parent counts for births since September 1, 1983 (only the father before that). For unmarried parents, the mother; or, since August 1, 2013, the father if he acknowledged paternity within 8 weeks of the birth.
- By declarationA parent, grandparent or earlier ancestor persecuted by the Nazi regimeVictims of the National Socialist regime and their direct descendants can acquire citizenship by declaration under section 58c, and keep their other citizenship. The ancestor must have been an Austrian citizen, or a citizen of another successor state of Austria-Hungary or stateless and living mainly in Austria, and have left before May 15, 1955. Other cases, such as people deported or killed, are covered too.
- Usually notOther grandparents or earlier ancestorsOutside the section 58c route, Austrian citizenship passes from parent to child.
Keeping your other citizenship
A child who gets another citizenship at birth as well as Austrian keeps both, and doesn’t have to choose at 18 under Austrian law. Descendants using section 58c can also keep their current citizenship. But Austrians who later choose to take another citizenship generally lose Austrian citizenship unless they get permission to keep it first.
How to apply
- Check which route appliesThrough a parent at birth, or the section 58c declaration for descendants of victims.
- Through a parent: apply for proof of citizenship or a passportAt an Austrian embassy or consulate.
- Section 58c: use the official questionnaire firstThe Austrian Embassy’s online questionnaire gives an initial assessment. Then submit the declaration through an Austrian embassy or consulate.
The full guide for descendants of Nazi-era victims
Documents
- Your full birth certificate, showing your parents’ names
- Proof your parent was Austrian when you were born, or for section 58c, proof your ancestor was an Austrian citizen and was persecuted or left Austria because of the Nazi regime
- Birth and marriage certificates linking each generation to that ancestor
- Your current passport
For UK, Irish and US certificates, see where to order certificates.
Common questions
Can I keep my American or British passport?
Yes, if you’re Austrian from birth or use section 58c. But check your other country’s rules too.
What if an ancestor fled Austria in 1938?
Then section 58c may well apply. Direct descendants of people persecuted by the Nazi regime can acquire Austrian citizenship by declaration, if the ancestor meets the conditions. The Austrian embassies’ online questionnaire is the best first step.
Is there a route through an ancestor who emigrated long before the Nazi era?
Usually not, unless someone later in the line was persecuted by the Nazi regime and section 58c applies through them. Otherwise Austrian citizenship passes from parent to child.
Do I need to speak German or live in Austria?
No, not for citizenship through a parent or section 58c.
More questions about Austrian citizenship
What an Austrian passport gives you
The right to live, work, study and retire across all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. See what an EU passport lets you do.
Living there
An Austrian passport lets you live and work in any EU country, and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Not eligible? The long way round
If descent doesn’t work for you, you can still become a citizen by living in Austria and applying to naturalize. It takes longer, but it’s open to anyone who meets the conditions.
A shortcut for people with Austrian roots
Descendants of people persecuted by the Nazi regime don’t need to live in Austria at all. See the route for descendants of victims.
- Time living there first
- 10 years’ legal residence, at least 5 of them with a residence permit. Shorter in some cases.
- Language and tests
- German, and a test on Austria’s democracy and history. You also need a steady income.
- Keep your current passport?
- Usually no: you must, in principle, give up your previous citizenship.
- Main ways to get residence
- The Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers, the EU Blue Card, a settlement permit for people with their own income, and study.
Already have, or able to get, a passport from an EU country through another family line? Then you can live and work in Austria without a visa. See what an EU passport lets you do.
General information, not immigration advice. Residence rules change often, so check the official source before you plan a move. Sources: Oesterreich.gv.at: general conditions for naturalisation.