Austria
ISO2: AT
Austrian citizenship by naturalisation through residence (Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft): standard 10-year residence pathway with “settled” (niedergelassen) expectation, possible 6-year early naturalisation routes, qualifying residence statuses, required documents, competent provincial submission authorities, official sources, and dual citizenship/renunciation policy (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 10.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 18, 2026
- Notes
- Standard naturalisation through residence in Austria generally requires 10 years of legal and continuous residence, typically including a “settled” (niedergelassen) status expectation for a substantial part of the period (commonly described as at least 5 years). Official guidance distinguishes “niedergelassen” residence titles (e.g., Daueraufenthalt–EU, Rot-Weiß-Rot cards, Niederlassungsbewilligungen) from temporary “Aufenthaltsbewilligung” (not considered “niedergelassen”). Early naturalisation may be possible after 6 years in specific situations (e.g., particularly high personal integration achievements and other legally defined categories). Applications are handled by the competent provincial authority (Amt der Landesregierung) in the applicant’s place of residence (Vienna: MA 35). Austria generally restricts dual citizenship; naturalisation typically requires renunciation of the prior citizenship unless an exception applies.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Conditional
Renunciation required: YesSpecial cases: Austria generally does not allow dual/multiple citizenship. Exceptions exist only in specific “special cases” (e.g., certain cases of acquisition at birth, and cases where renunciation is not possible or not reasonably required, or where a formal retention/exception is granted under applicable law).
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Dual citizenship is generally restricted in Austria; for naturalisation, renunciation of the prior citizenship is typically required unless an exception applies. Applicants should verify the exact exception/renunciation practice with the competent provincial authority handling the case.
Qualifying residence permits
Aufenthaltsbewilligung (Temporary Residence Permit) – generic
Lawful residence, but official guidance notes that an “Aufenthaltsbewilligung” is generally not “niedergelassen” (may not satisfy the “settled” expectation by itself).
Counts
Daueraufenthalt – EU (Long-Term Resident – EU)
Settlement-type status explicitly referenced in official guidance as “niedergelassen”; commonly relevant for the “settled” portion of the residence requirement.
Counts
EU/EEA/Swiss residence rights (Freizügigkeit) / registration documentation
EU-law residence may count as lawful residence; early naturalisation after 6 years is referenced in official guidance for certain cases.
Counts
Familienangehöriger (Family member) – settlement title
Family settlement titles typically qualify as lawful residence and may support the “niedergelassen” expectation depending on category.
Counts
Niederlassungsbewilligung – Künstler (Settlement Permit – Artist)
Example explicitly mentioned in official guidance as “niedergelassen”.
Counts
Niederlassungsbewilligung (Settlement Permit) – general category
Settlement permit category referenced in official guidance as “niedergelassen”.
Counts
Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus
Settlement/work residence title; commonly used after RWR and supports the “niedergelassen” expectation.
Counts
Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte (Red-White-Red Card)
Settlement/work residence title referenced as example of “niedergelassen” in official guidance; counts as lawful residence and supports “settled” expectation.
Counts
Visa / short-stay presence without settlement (generic)
Short-stay/visa-based presence is not the normal basis for meeting long-term naturalisation residence requirements.
Doesn’t count
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Austrian citizenship application (Verleihungsantrag) – provincial authority form/process
Application for award of Austrian citizenship submitted to the competent authority (province/Land; Vienna MA 35).
|
Mandatory | Submit to the competent provincial authority (Amt der Landesregierung) or Vienna MA 35; the authority provides the official forms/checklist. |
|
Birth certificate (civil status document)
Birth certificate to prove identity/civil status; typically requires formal legalization/apostille and translation as required.
|
Mandatory | Baseline civil status/identity document; legalization/apostille/translation may be required depending on issuing country. |
|
Criminal record / good conduct evidence (Austria and/or abroad as required)
Proof of integrity/no relevant convictions; requirements can include Austrian and foreign criminal record certificates.
|
Mandatory | Integrity requirement; may include Austrian and foreign certificates depending on circumstances. |
|
German language proof and/or integration/civics proof (as required)
Evidence of German language knowledge and any required integration/civics knowledge (requirements can vary by pathway and authority).
|
Mandatory | German/integration requirements apply; details depend on pathway and authority guidance. |
|
Proof of legal residence in Austria (residence title / EU-law residence)
Evidence of lawful residence covering the required period (e.g., residence titles and/or EU-law residence documentation).
|
Mandatory | Evidence of lawful residence and continuity for the required years; includes residence titles and/or EU-law residence documentation. |
|
Proof of main residence / registration (Meldezettel / registration confirmation)
Proof of principal residence registration and continuity in Austria.
|
Mandatory | Used to evidence principal residence and continuous residence in Austria. |
|
Proof of renunciation/release from prior citizenship (or exception evidence)
Evidence you have renounced prior citizenship or proof that renunciation is impossible/unreasonable or another exception applies.
|
Mandatory | Austria generally restricts dual citizenship; naturalisation typically requires renunciation unless an exception applies. |
|
Proof of secured maintenance / income
Evidence of sufficiently secured livelihood (income/assets) as required for naturalisation.
|
Mandatory | Austria requires sufficiently secured livelihood; exact evidence is authority-specific (income, employment, assets, etc.). |
|
Valid passport or travel document
Passport or equivalent travel document used to prove identity.
|
Mandatory | Baseline identity/nationality proof. |
|
Marriage certificate / family relationship proof (if relevant)
Used where the application relies on family status (e.g., spouse route or family-based considerations).
|
Optional | Only required if the case relies on spouse/family status for eligibility or reduced residence period. |
Submission offices
City of Vienna – MA 35 (Einwanderung und Staatsbürgerschaft)
NATIONAL
· Vienna
Example of a Land-level competent authority: Vienna’s MA 35 handles citizenship procedures for residents of Vienna.
migration.gv.at – Citizenship (official migration portal)
Online
Official migration portal overview of citizenship requirements (high-level summary, including residence duration and key conditions).
oesterreich.gv.at – Citizenship (official information portal)
Online
Official federal information portal with naturalisation routes (general conditions, 6-year early naturalisation, 10-year award) and guidance.
Provincial Government (Amt der Landesregierung) – Citizenship Department (Staatsbürgerschaft)
NATIONAL
Competent authority for citizenship applications is generally the province (Land) where you have your main residence. The responsible “Staatsbürgerschaft” unit handles submission, processing, and decisions.
Official sources
BMEIA – Dual Citizenship (Foreign Ministry guidance)
Government
Foreign Ministry guidance: general non-permission of dual citizenship and related principles.
en
migration.gv.at – Citizenship (overview of key requirements)
Government
Official overview: notes the general 10-year requirement and key conditions such as integrity and secured livelihood.
en
oesterreich.gv.at – Dual citizenship (Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft / Dual citizenship)
Government
Official statement that Austria generally does not allow dual citizenship, with exceptions only in special cases.
en
oesterreich.gv.at – Early naturalisation after six years (Vorzeitige Verleihung nach sechs Jahren)
Government
Official page describing early naturalisation pathway after 6 years for specific cases.
de
oesterreich.gv.at – General conditions for naturalisation (Staatsbürgerschaft: General information)
Government
Official government portal page describing general naturalisation requirements and residence condition framework.
en
oesterreich.gv.at – Granting of citizenship after ten years (Verleihung nach zehn Jahren)
Government
Official page explaining 10-year route and the “niedergelassen” (settled) concept with examples of qualifying titles.
de
Vienna – MA 35 (citizenship procedure information)
Government
Example Land-level implementing authority page (Vienna) for application handling and local procedure pointers.
de
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 22, 2026
- Travel freedom184.00
- Residency rights31.00
- Quality of life199.80
- Economic freedom69.70
- Tax friendliness20.00
Methodology (as of 2026-02-22): composite ranking uses weighted, min-max normalized scores across (1) Travel freedom 25% from Henley Passport Index 2026 (visa-free/visa-on-arrival count), (2) Economic freedom 25% from Heritage Index of Economic Freedom 2025 (overall score), (3) Residency rights 20% proxy based on free-movement blocs (EU+EEA+Switzerland highest; Mercosur medium; others baseline), (4) Disposable income after taxes 20% from Numbeo Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax), USD, (5) Quality of life 5% from Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2026, (6) Tax friendliness 5% from Nomad Passport Index (Taxation column only). Raw indicator values are stored in this table; composite scoring is computed externally.