Changing Your Name in Austria: Rules, Fees and Competent Authorities in 2026

In Austria, changing a family name or first name is governed by the Namensänderungsgesetz (NÄG). Not everyone can apply, and the reason for the request affects both the competent authority and the fees. Here is an overview of the rules in 2026.

Who can apply for a name change in Austria?

The following people may apply to change a family name or first name:

• Austrian citizens.
• Stateless people or people of unclear nationality whose habitual residence is in Austria.
• Refugees covered by the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees who live or habitually reside in Austria.
• People whose connection with their country of origin has been severed for a serious reason comparable to that affecting refugees and who live in Austria.

Foreign nationals: if you are not an Austrian citizen, the law of your country of nationality generally applies to your name change, rather than the Austrian procedure.

What reasons are accepted?

A legal reason may exist if your current name is:

• Ridiculous or offensive.
• Difficult to pronounce or write.
• So similar to another person’s name and date of birth that it could cause confusion.

Other accepted reasons include:

• Foreign origin: you want a name that makes integration easier. This must be requested within two years of acquiring Austrian citizenship.
• Dual citizenship: you want to use a name that you already lawfully bear under the law of the other country, so that your name is the same under both legal systems.
• Former name: you want to resume a name that you previously bore lawfully or used in good faith.
• Serious disadvantage: you can credibly demonstrate that the change is unavoidable to prevent serious disadvantages in your economic or social relationships.
• Victim of a criminal offence: you can credibly demonstrate that you are a victim of violence, a dangerous threat or a sexual offence and that changing your name could prevent further offences.

For a first name, additional reasons may include a change of religion within two years, giving a minor adopted child a new first name within two years, or the name not matching the person’s sex.

If none of these reasons applies, you can still apply for a Wunschname, or requested name, but this is considerably more expensive.

How much does a name change cost?

• Verbal application: free of charge, both where there is a legal reason and for a Wunschname.
• Written application: 21 euros.
• Attachments: 6 euros per sheet, if documents are attached to the application.
• Bundesgebühr for a legal reason: none.
• Bundesgebühr for a Wunschname: 567 euros.
• Bundesverwaltungsabgabe for a legal reason: none.
• Bundesverwaltungsabgabe for a Wunschname: 163 euros.

If you use a Wunschname to restore the original German form of a name that you previously bore, the administrative fee is 54,50 euros. The attachment fee only applies when you submit documents with the application.

Where do you submit the application?

The name-change procedure is handled by the Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde responsible for your place of residence or habitual residence, or for your last residence in Austria:

• Usually the Bezirkshauptmannschaft.
• In cities with their own statute, the Magistrat.
• In Vienna, the MA 63, including for people who have never lived in Austria.

You can submit the application using an official form or as an informal written application. Documents generally required include a birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde), a marriage or registered partnership certificate, the final divorce decision, proof of citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) and an official photo ID.

Changing your name after divorce

After a divorce or the end of a registered partnership, you do not automatically regain your previous name. If you wish, you can resume any family name that you previously bore lawfully.

The Standesamt at the location of the last marriage is responsible. However, you can submit the application at any registry office in Austria. Proof of registration of residence (Bestätigung der Meldung) can, on request, also be obtained from the Central Register of Residents (ZMR).

You may also keep a name received from a former spouse in a new marriage. For example, after a divorce, a person who took their former spouse’s name may marry again and choose that same name as the couple’s shared name. The former spouse has no say in this.

Changing a child’s name

A minor child’s name may be changed at the registry office through a name determination or through an administrative procedure, depending on the reason. For example, if a parent’s name changes because of marriage, divorce or resuming a former name, the child’s name can be determined again at the registry office.

• If both parents exercise custody (Obsorge), they must act jointly and agree.
• A child aged 10 to 14 must be heard.
• A child over 14 decides about their own name and must submit the application personally.
• If one parent has sole custody, the other parent must be notified and heard.

When can an application be refused?

A change may, for example, be refused if:

• The new name is ridiculous, offensive or not customary in Austria.
• The family name would consist of several names, except where statutory exceptions apply.
• It would create confusion with another person.
• The change would be intended to circumvent legal provisions.
• The first name does not match the applicant’s sex.
• The name was granted at the applicant’s own request within the past ten years, subject to statutory exceptions.

After your name has been changed

You must notify several authorities and organisations of the new details, including the authority responsible for your passport. Replacing your driving licence is voluntary.

Practical steps

1. Check whether Austrian law applies to you and identify the legal reason for the requested change.
2. Determine the responsible Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde, Bezirkshauptmannschaft, Magistrat or, in Vienna, MA 63.
3. Gather the relevant documents, including your Geburtsurkunde, civil-status documents, proof of citizenship and photo ID.
4. Decide whether to submit a verbal or written application and calculate any attachment fees.
5. If there is no legal reason, calculate the additional 567 euros Bundesgebühr and 163 euros Bundesverwaltungsabgabe for a Wunschname.
6. After approval, update your passport and notify other relevant authorities and organisations.

This information is based on publicly available sources and is not legal advice. For advice about your individual circumstances, consult a lawyer or another qualified professional.