Do I need to speak German?
No, for either route.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. The Jewish Community of Vienna says you can apply yourself, and the embassy explains the process.
How much does it cost?
Citizenship under section 58c is free. You pay for your own certificates, translations and apostilles.
My grandparents lived in Vienna but held Czechoslovak or Polish citizenship. Does that count?
It can. Citizens of successor states of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, and stateless people, count if they lived mainly in Austria and left because of persecution or fear of it.
My family left after the war. Is that too late?
Not necessarily. The cut-off is May 15, 1955, so later departures can count if they were because of persecution.
Can my children apply too?
Yes. Each person makes their own declaration, and there’s a separate form for children under 18.
My parent was Austrian when I was born. Do I need section 58c?
Probably not: you’re likely Austrian already. See the overview for how the rules depend on your birth date and your parents’ marriage.
If I later take another citizenship, will I lose Austrian citizenship?
Austrians who choose to take another citizenship generally lose Austrian citizenship unless they get permission first. Ask the embassy before you do.
Will I have to do military service?
Austria has compulsory military or civilian service for men. Ask the embassy how it applies to citizens living abroad.
Living there
An Austrian passport lets you live and work in any EU country, and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Sources
- Oesterreich.gv.at: citizenship for victims of National Socialism and their direct descendants (in German)
- Austrian Embassy in Washington: citizenship for descendants of victims
- Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG): Austrian citizenship for victims and descendants (2021)
- National Fund of the Republic of Austria: support in obtaining Austrian citizenship (no deadline, no costs)