Austrian Citizenship by Descent: Complete Guide 2025
Claim Austrian citizenship through your Austrian parents with special provisions for descendants of Nazi persecution victims. Note: Austria generally requires renunciation of other citizenships.
Important: Dual Citizenship Restrictions
Austria has one of Europe's strictest policies on dual citizenship. In most cases, you must renounce your current citizenship to become Austrian. This is a permanent decision that cannot be easily reversed.
Exceptions exist for:
- Descendants of Nazi persecution victims (can keep dual citizenship)
- Citizens of countries that don't allow renunciation
- Cases of exceptional merit to Austria
- Children who acquire multiple citizenships at birth
What is Austrian Citizenship by Descent?
Austrian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis) allows children of Austrian citizens to claim Austrian citizenship. Unlike many European countries, Austria's descent laws are relatively restrictive - citizenship is generally only passed through parents, not grandparents or more distant ancestors.
The key requirement is that at least one parent must have been an Austrian citizen at the time of your birth. If your parent lost or renounced Austrian citizenship before you were born, you typically cannot claim citizenship through them.
🇦🇹 Benefits of Austrian Citizenship
- EU Citizenship: Live, work, and study in any of 27 EU countries
- High Quality of Life: Ranked in top 10 globally
- Strong Passport: 190 visa-free destinations
- Excellent Healthcare: World-class public healthcare system
- Education: Free university education for EU citizens
Special Provisions for Nazi Persecution Descendants
Since 2020, Austria offers special citizenship provisions for descendants of victims of Nazi persecution. This includes those whose ancestors fled Austria between 1933-1955 due to persecution.
No Generational Limit
Children, grandchildren, and further descendants eligible
Keep Current Citizenship
No need to renounce - dual citizenship allowed
Simplified Process
Streamlined application with fewer requirements
Austrian Citizenship Costs: Complete Breakdown
Detailed Cost Breakdown:
Government Fees
RequiredAustrian citizenship application fees
Higher fees for applications from abroad
Document Procurement
RequiredBirth certificates, apostilles, translations
Costs vary by number of documents needed
Legal Assistance
OptionalImmigration lawyer for complex cases
Recommended for complicated ancestry claims
Renunciation Costs
RequiredFees to renounce previous citizenship
Required unless specific exceptions apply
Travel Expenses
OptionalTravel to Austria if required
May need to appear in person
Important Cost Considerations:
- Austria generally requires renunciation of previous citizenship
- Special provisions exist for descendants of Nazi persecution victims
- Processing times have improved with digitalization
- Documents must be recent (within 6 months) for some requirements
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
- Order documents yourself instead of using agencies (save $200-500)
- Do translations through certified freelancers vs law firms (save $300-800)
- Apply directly to consulates rather than through services (save $1000+)
- Research your family tree yourself before hiring genealogists
Austrian Citizenship by Descent Requirements
You Qualify If:
- Your mother or father was an Austrian citizen at your birth
- You can prove the parent-child relationship with documents
- Your parent retained Austrian citizenship (didn't renounce)
- You're willing to renounce current citizenship (with exceptions)
- You have no serious criminal convictions
You Don't Qualify If:
- Your parent lost Austrian citizenship before your birth
- You only have Austrian grandparents (not parents)
- You're unwilling to renounce current citizenship
- You cannot obtain required documentation
- You have serious criminal convictions
Important: Rules for Births Before 1983
If you were born before September 1, 1983, different rules may apply:
- Legitimacy requirements for children born out of wedlock
- Citizenship through mother only if born out of wedlock
- Special provisions for married women who lost citizenship
Consult with an Austrian immigration lawyer for pre-1983 births.
Step-by-Step Process
Verify Austrian Ancestry
Confirm you have an Austrian parent who was a citizen at your birth
- Parent's Austrian birth certificate
- Proof of parent's citizenship status
Austria generally only recognizes descent through parents, not grandparents
Collect Required Documents
Gather all birth certificates and citizenship proof
- Your birth certificate with apostille
- Parent's Austrian documents
- Marriage certificates if applicable
All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated by certified translator
Prepare for Citizenship Renunciation
Research renunciation requirements for your current citizenship
- Current passport
- Renunciation forms from your country
Austria requires renunciation in most cases - check if exceptions apply to you
Submit Citizenship Application
Apply at Austrian consulate or embassy
- Complete application form
- All supporting documents
- Proof of clean criminal record
Applications must be submitted in person at Austrian diplomatic mission
Application Review
Austrian authorities review application and verify documents
- Additional documents if requested
May require interview or additional documentation during processing
Renounce Previous Citizenship
Complete renunciation of previous citizenship if approved
- Renunciation certificate
Must complete renunciation before Austrian citizenship is granted
Receive Austrian Citizenship
Take oath and receive citizenship certificate
- Austrian citizenship certificate
May require travel to Austria for ceremony
Apply for Austrian Passport
Use citizenship certificate to obtain Austrian passport
- Passport application
- Citizenship certificate
- Photos
€75.90 for standard passport, provides full EU travel rights
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my current citizenship when becoming Austrian?
Generally no. Austria requires renunciation of previous citizenship in most cases. Exceptions exist for descendants of Nazi persecution victims, citizens of countries that don't allow renunciation, and cases of exceptional merit to Austria.
Can I claim citizenship through my Austrian grandparents?
Generally no. Austria only recognizes descent through parents who were citizens at your birth. However, if you qualify under the Nazi persecution provisions, you can claim through grandparents or even more distant ancestors.
Do I need to speak German?
Not for citizenship by descent. Language requirements only apply to naturalization applications. However, basic German knowledge will help with the application process and integration.
How long does the process take?
Typically 18-24 months from application submission to citizenship grant. Document gathering can add several months. Processing has improved with digitalization, but complex cases may take longer.
What if I was adopted by Austrian parents?
Adopted children can claim Austrian citizenship if the adoption occurred before age 14 and the adoptive parent was Austrian at the time. The adoption must be legally recognized in Austria.
Ready to Claim Your Austrian Heritage?
Explore Austrian citizenship by descent - but be prepared for renunciation requirements
💡 Consider: ⚠️ Important: Austria generally requires renunciation of previous citizenship