Austrian citizenship for children in 2026: birth, descent and naturalisation

If a child is born in Austria or has an Austrian parent, the question of Austrian citizenship may arise quickly. The answer usually depends on the parents’ citizenship at the time of birth, not on the place of birth. This guide explains the main routes to Austrian citizenship for minors and how to obtain proof of citizenship.

When does a child become Austrian at birth?

Austrian law follows the principle of descent (Abstammungsprinzip). A child born in Vienna does not become Austrian automatically if neither parent is Austrian. Conversely, a child born abroad may be Austrian if a parent is Austrian.

Whether citizenship was acquired by descent is determined by the law in force at the time of birth. The main situations are:

• Married parents, child born on or after 1 September 1983: either Austrian parent can pass on citizenship.
• Married parents, child born before 1 September 1983: only the Austrian father can pass on citizenship.
• Parents who are unmarried and not registered partners: the Austrian mother can pass on citizenship.
• Unmarried parents, non-Austrian mother, child born on or after 1 August 2013: the Austrian father can pass on citizenship if he acknowledged paternity before the birth or within 8 weeks after the birth, or if paternity was established by a court within that period.

If paternity is acknowledged later than 8 weeks after the birth, the child may acquire citizenship by a facilitated grant (Verleihung).

What if the parents marry later?

If the parents were not married when the child was born but marry while the child is still a minor, the child may become Austrian through the father if the mother was not Austrian at the time of birth. The father must be an Austrian citizen when the marriage takes place. This process is called legitimation (Legitimation).

If the child has already turned 14 when the marriage takes place, the child and the people exercising custody must consent to the acquisition within 3 years of the marriage.

Can a child hold two citizenships?

If a child automatically acquires another citizenship by operation of law at birth, for example through descent from the other parent, the child does not lose Austrian citizenship. The child can therefore hold two citizenships. The child does not have to choose between them on reaching adulthood, although the other state may request a decision.

Naturalisation of minors

If a child did not become Austrian at birth, several routes may be available. The term child includes both a biological child and an adopted child. An application may be submitted only by a person with custody (Obsorge), and the other person exercising custody must consent.

Naturalisation together with a parent

If at least one parent receives Austrian citizenship, the grant may be extended to the minor child (Erstreckung der Verleihung). The child has no prescribed period of residence, so the extension can also apply to a newborn.

In the case of a serious disability supported by an official medical certificate, the extension may also apply to an adult child if the child lives in the same household as the parent or the parent has custody.

Independent naturalisation

A minor may also receive citizenship independently of the parents. In that case, the child must meet the relevant requirements and deadlines personally, including at least 6 years of residence. Children under 14 do not have to prove German-language skills or take a citizenship test.

Adopted children and children born outside marriage

Adoption by itself does not change a child’s citizenship. However, if an Austrian citizen adopts a foreign minor abroad, the child has the right to receive Austrian citizenship. For a child under 14, the child generally must be residing in Austria when the application is made, and does not have to give up their existing citizenship.

A similar facilitated route exists for a child born outside marriage to an Austrian father if the child did not become Austrian at birth because of a birth before 1 August 2013 or because paternity was acknowledged late.

Where should the application be submitted?

• Naturalisation when the applicant’s main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) is in Austria: the citizenship department of the provincial government office (Amt der Landesregierung).
• Naturalisation with residence abroad and birth abroad: Vienna, MA 35.
• Proof of citizenship with residence in Austria: any municipal registry office (Standesamt); in Vienna, the registry office of the district where the birth was registered or MA 35.
• Proof of citizenship with residence abroad: the responsible Austrian embassy or consulate general.

Cost of proof of citizenship

The proof of citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) confirms that the child is Austrian. It can be issued when the birth is registered and can also be requested online through the Digitaler Babypoint service.

• Application and issue up to and including the child’s 2nd birthday: no fee.
• Application after that date: 21 euros.
• Issue after that date, federal fee: 21 euros.
• Provincial administration fee: varies by province.
• Consular fee abroad: 71 euros; no fee up to the age of 2.

The application generally requires the child’s birth certificate and proof of residence registration. Foreign documents must be submitted with legalisation or an apostille unless the relevant state is exempt from authentication requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does a child become Austrian by being born in Austria?

No, not automatically. The place of birth is not decisive; what matters is whether a parent was an Austrian citizen at the time of birth.

Does a child need a language examination for naturalisation?

A child under 14 does not have to prove German-language skills or take a citizenship test.

Who can submit an application on behalf of a child?

Only a person with custody can submit the application, with the consent of the other person exercising custody.

What if it later turns out that the presumed father is not the biological father?

If the child was treated as Austrian because of an Austrian presumed father, the child may acquire citizenship retroactively from the date of birth by written notification (Anzeige). This does not apply if citizenship was acquired with fraudulent intent.

Practical steps

1. Check whether either parent was an Austrian citizen on the child’s date of birth.
2. Determine whether the parents were married and whether paternity was acknowledged before the birth or within 8 weeks.
3. Collect the child’s birth certificate, residence registration and documents proving the relevant parent’s citizenship.
4. If the child is being naturalised, confirm who has custody and obtain the required consent from the other person exercising custody.
5. Contact the relevant Amt der Landesregierung, MA 35, Standesamt, Austrian embassy or consulate general, depending on the child’s residence and the type of procedure.
6. Apply for the Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis by the child’s 2nd birthday if possible, as the application and issue are fee-free up to and including that date.