Eligibility quiz
Do you have a grandparent who faced or feared persecution by the Nazis or German authorities, or for supporting Austria’s democracy?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Austrian embassy or consulate-general that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Austrian embassy or consulate-general handles citizenship for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants in your city?”
Complete the online questionnaire
Fill in the preliminary questionnaire for Austrian citizenship for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants. This helps prepare your case, but it is not your citizenship declaration.
Complete the questionnaireDownload the declaration form
Get the adult declaration form for Austrian citizenship for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants. Ask your consulate for the appropriate form if the application is for a minor.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the declaration form for yourself. Give the requested information about your grandparent, their persecution and your family relationship.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Austrian citizenship declaration for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsHand in your application
Ask your consulate how to arrange an appointment or submit your application. Bring or send your signed declaration and documents as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Austrian citizenship declaration for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants at the Austrian consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Austrian authorities to review your declaration. Answer any requests from the consulate or citizenship office for more information or documents.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Austrian citizenship declaration for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants take through a consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate and the birth records linking you through your parent to your Austrian grandparent. If you were adopted as a child, add the adoption decision.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Provide records showing your Austrian grandparent's citizenship or that they had no citizenship. The records should show their status at the relevant time.
Grandparent's residence record
Provide records showing your Austrian grandparent's main residence in Austria at the relevant time.
Marriage certificates *
Provide the marriage certificates needed to show your family ties and explain any differences in names. Include any divorce or name-change records needed to explain the family records.
* Only if you, your parent or your Austrian grandparent married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationGrandparent's death certificate *
Provide your Austrian grandparent's death certificate if it is needed to establish their identity or the date and circumstances of their death.
* Only if your Austrian grandparent died and the record is needed for 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
Austrian Citizenship Holocaust Descendants
English Facebook group for people interested in Austrian citizenship
Request to joinHolocaust Descendants with restored citizenship to Austria and Germany
English Facebook group for people interested in Austrian citizenship
Request to joinr/AustrianCitizenship
English Reddit group for people interested in Austrian citizenship
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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