Austrian Citizenship in 2026 and Dual Citizenship

Austrian citizenship can be acquired in several ways. The two main routes covered here are citizenship by descent and citizenship by naturalisation. Special rules also apply to people who already hold, or wish to acquire, another citizenship.

• Austrian citizenship by descent or birth
• Austrian citizenship by naturalisation
• Austrian dual citizenship

Austrian citizenship by descent or birth (Erwerb durch Abstammung)

Children acquire Austrian citizenship from birth if:

• the mother is an Austrian citizen; or
• the parents are married and only the father is an Austrian citizen.

If the parents are not married and only the child's father is an Austrian citizen, while the mother is a citizen of another country, the child can acquire Austrian citizenship by descent if the Austrian father acknowledges paternity within eight weeks of the birth or paternity is established by a court.

Paternity can also be acknowledged before the child is born. If the acknowledgement or court determination takes place more than eight weeks after the birth, the child may still acquire Austrian citizenship by grant under simplified conditions.

If a child acquires another citizenship at birth as well as Austrian citizenship—for example from the other parent through ius sanguinis, or in the country of birth through ius soli—the child will hold two citizenships.

Although Austrian law generally does not permit dual citizenship, this is one of the exceptions. Under Austrian law, the child does not have to choose between the two citizenships as an adult.

Austrian citizenship by grant or naturalisation (Erwerb durch Verleihung)

The conditions for granting citizenship can vary. In some cases, the applicant has a legal entitlement to citizenship; in others, an authority decides the case using its own discretion.

Position in 2026: The requirements below correspond to the Austrian citizenship law in force in October 2026, the Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz 1985. The government programme plans stricter requirements, such as German at B2 level instead of B1 and a compulsory citizenship course. However, these changes had not entered into force by 12 October 2026, and the language requirement remained B1.

General requirements

• At least ten years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria, including at least five years with a settlement title (niedergelassen). Residence is considered uninterrupted if the applicant has spent no more than 20 percent of the required period abroad.
• A clean record: there must be no current court conviction, no pending criminal proceedings against the applicant in Austria or abroad, and no serious administrative offence.
• Proof of a secure means of support from employment or another source of income for at least 36 months during the six years before the application. The final six months must be immediately before the application. After regular expenses such as rent and loan repayments are deducted, the remaining income must reach the average of the Ausgleichszulagen-Richtsätze under the ASVG for the previous three years, without relying on social assistance.
• German language skills at B1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference, plus appropriate knowledge of Austria's constitutional order and fundamental principles, and of the history of Austria and the relevant federal province. These must be demonstrated through a written examination. Exceptions may apply, for example if German is the applicant's first language or the applicant is a minor who received a positive assessment in German at school.
• A positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria, and no danger to public peace, public order or public security.
• No current residence ban or pending proceedings concerning one.
• No expulsion order from Austria, another EU member state or Switzerland.
• No expulsion from Austria during the previous 18 months.
• No connection with extremist or terrorist groups.
• No previous loss of citizenship.
• Acquiring Austrian citizenship must not harm the interests of the Republic of Austria or significantly affect its international relations.

The application process

An application for Austrian citizenship by grant must be submitted in person to the competent authority, using the forms provided by that authority. The authority can provide information about the documents and certificates that must be attached.

Documents in a foreign language must be submitted in the original together with a certified translation completed in Austria. The authority can also provide a list of certified translators.

Further information is available on oesterreich.gv.at.

Shorter and other routes

Austrian citizenship may also be available through the following routes:

• At least 30 years of uninterrupted main residence in Austria can be demonstrated.
• At least 15 years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria, together with proof of appropriate personal and professional integration.
• At least six years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria, if the applicant has been married to an Austrian citizen, or in a registered partnership with one, for five years and the couple has lived in the same household for five years.
• At least six years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria if the applicant is a citizen of an EEA state. The general requirements, such as B1 German and secure means of support, still apply to this shortened route.
• At least six years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria if the applicant was born in Austria, can demonstrate B2 German, or can demonstrate lasting integration. Examples include at least three years of voluntary work for a public-benefit organisation, at least three years of work in education, social services or healthcare, or at least three years holding an office in an interest group.
• At least ten years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria with refugee status.

Special rules apply in cases involving outstanding sporting, social or other achievements, and where an authority grants citizenship because of Austria's interests. Detailed information is available on the official Austrian information website. Details of the six-year shortened routes are available under Vorzeitige Verleihung nach sechs Jahren.

Dual citizenship

Austrian citizenship law generally does not permit dual or multiple citizenship. Exceptions are possible only in specific circumstances.

A person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country will generally lose Austrian citizenship. To retain Austrian citizenship, a written application must be submitted before acquiring the foreign citizenship, and approval must be granted in writing.

Approval to retain Austrian citizenship may be granted, among other circumstances:

• because of exceptional achievements already made or expected in the future;
• for a reason that is particularly deserving of consideration in Austria's interests;
• for a reason that is particularly deserving of consideration in the applicant's private and family life; or
• in the interests of a child, where the applicant is a minor.

It is essential to obtain approval to retain Austrian citizenship before applying for the foreign citizenship. Otherwise, Austrian citizenship is lost automatically.

The competent provincial government office is responsible for assessing and approving retention of citizenship. Applications to retain citizenship may also be submitted abroad to the competent professional representation for the place of residence, such as an embassy or consulate.

A person who acquires Austrian citizenship through naturalisation will generally have to give up their previous citizenship. If the legal system of the country of the existing citizenship does not require its automatic loss when Austrian citizenship is acquired, Austrian citizenship is granted first. The person must then, where possible, submit proof of renunciation of the original citizenship within two years.

Practical steps

1. Identify whether your case concerns citizenship by descent, naturalisation or retention of Austrian citizenship.
2. Check the relevant residence period and whether your time abroad falls within the 20 percent limit.
3. Collect evidence of residence, income, language skills, examinations and your personal record.
4. Contact the competent authority for the official application forms and the exact list of required documents.
5. Arrange certified translations in Austria for documents issued in a foreign language.
6. If you plan to acquire another citizenship, apply for written approval to retain Austrian citizenship before submitting that citizenship application.