Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Austria?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
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 citizenship office
Find the citizenship department of the state government for the place in Austria where you have your main home.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Austrian state government citizenship department serves your city?”
Get the application form
Get the Austrian citizenship application form from your state government’s citizenship department.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Austrian citizenship application form from the state government serving your city?”
Fill in the form
Fill in your Austrian citizenship application form.
Find filling instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in an Austrian citizenship application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents your citizenship office asks for.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment with your citizenship office if it requires one.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for an Austrian citizenship application at the state government serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed form and documents to your state government’s citizenship department and apply in person. Ask the department if it accepts another way to submit your personal application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Austrian citizenship application to the state government serving your city?”
Attend any required appointments
Attend any interview, test or identification appointment the citizenship office asks you to attend.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What interviews, tests or identification appointments are required for an Austrian citizenship application at the state government serving your city?”
Pay the fees
Pay the fees your citizenship office asks for. Ask the office how to pay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay Austrian citizenship application fees to the state government serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the state government’s written decision. Answer any questions and send any further documents the citizenship office asks for.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Austrian citizenship application take at the state government serving your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificates *
Provide your marriage certificate or registered partnership record. If a divorce or the end of a partnership affects your application, include the relevant decision or record.
* Only if your marriage or registered partnership affects your application.
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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