Eligibility quiz
Have you been adopted by someone who is now an Austrian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Austrian passport and ID
Austrian citizens can have an Austrian passport and identity card.
A passport is normally valid for ten years and must be replaced when it expires.
Live in Austria for life
Austrian citizens can enter, live in and return to Austria for life without renewing a residence permit.
Study in Austria
Austrian citizens can study in Austria without immigration permission.
Work in Austria
Austrian citizens can work or start a business in Austria without immigration permission.
Retire in Austria
Austrian citizens can retire in Austria without immigration permission.
Get help abroad
Austrian citizens can get consular help abroad, including emergency travel documents and help after arrest, serious illness or an accident.
Help can include contacting doctors, lawyers or relatives and arranging a return home; fees or repayment can apply.
Vote in elections
Austrian citizens can vote from age 16 in presidential, national, provincial, local and European elections, unless excluded by certain court convictions.
Citizens abroad can vote by post in federal and European elections if registered; provincial voting depends on the province.
Use public healthcare
Austrian citizens can use public healthcare when they meet the conditions for coverage, which generally depend on insurance, work or residence.
Access social support
Austrian citizens can access pensions, unemployment insurance and family benefits when they meet each benefit’s conditions, which can depend on insurance, work or residence.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the citizenship department for the province where your child has their main home. Ask the department which documents it needs for your child.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Austrian provincial citizenship department serves your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents the citizenship department asks for your child.
See required documentsGet the application form
Ask the citizenship department for its citizenship-grant application form for your child.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Austrian citizenship grant application form for an adopted child from the citizenship department in your city?”
Fill in the form
You must have custody of your child to apply; fill in and sign the citizenship-grant application form.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in an Austrian citizenship grant application for an adopted child?”
Arrange your application
Contact the citizenship department to arrange an appointment or the filing method for your child's application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange to submit an Austrian citizenship grant application for an adopted child at the citizenship department in your city?”
Hand in the application
Submit your child's completed application and documents to the citizenship department using the method it arranged with you. Any other person with custody must also consent to your child receiving Austrian citizenship.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Austrian citizenship grant application for an adopted child at the citizenship department in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Answer any questions from the citizenship department and provide any further records it asks for. Once your child is granted citizenship, they can apply for an Austrian passport.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I ask about an Austrian citizenship grant application for an adopted child at the citizenship department in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Get your birth certificate from the office that issued it. It also helps show your age.
Adoption documents
Get the final adoption decision or certificate showing your adoption and identifying your Austrian adoptive parent. Ask the office receiving your application whether it needs the original or a certified copy.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide proof that your Austrian adoptive parent is an Austrian citizen. Ask the office receiving your application which citizenship record it accepts.
Parent's residence records *
If you live abroad, provide records showing that your Austrian adoptive parent has lived permanently and lawfully abroad for at least 12 months and that their main personal and family ties are there. If you are aged 14 to 17 and live in Austria, provide proof that your parent is lawfully settled in Austria, has asylum status or holds a legitimations card.
* Only if you live abroad or are aged 14 to 17.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military reporting abroad
Men liable for service who move abroad for over six months must promptly report their address to the military and an Austrian embassy or consulate.
Those permanently declared unfit or who completed basic service and entered the reserve are exempt.
Men abroad generally report for assessment after 17 and, on returning to Austria, report to the military within three weeks.
Military service for men
Military duty for male Austrian citizens begins at 17 and normally lasts until 50, or 65 in special cases.
Basic service can be called up from 18 to 35, and duties include assessment and reserve service.
Those who object on grounds of conscience can do nine months of civilian service instead.
Citizenship can be lost
A new citizenship gained voluntarily ends yours unless Austria approved keeping it in writing before you took steps to get it.
It can be taken away for voluntarily joining another military, seriously harming Austria while serving another state, or actively fighting abroad for an armed group in a conflict.
You can give it up if you have another citizenship and receive a written release.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigners and Expats in Vienna and Austria
English Facebook group for people living in Austria interested in Austrian local life
Request to joinExpats World in Vienna
English Facebook group for people living in Austria interested in Austrian local life
Join on FacebookInternationals in Austria 🌎 🇦🇹
Facebook group for people living in Austria interested in Austrian local life (English & German)
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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