Church Tax and Leaving a Church in Austria (2026)

Many people in Austria start looking into officially leaving a church because of the church contribution (Kirchenbeitrag). The declaration of leaving the church (Kirchenaustritt) is made at a state authority, not at the parish. The 2026 procedure is straightforward, but a few important rules apply.

Where and how can you leave a church?

You must submit your declaration of withdrawal to the competent authority. The responsible office depends on where you live:

• Generally, in rural areas: District authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft)
• Statutory city (Statutarstadt): Municipal authority (Magistrat)
• Vienna: District authority (Magistratisches Bezirksamt)

You have two options:

1. In person: Visit the authority and make the declaration there.
2. In writing: Send an informal letter or the authority's form, if one is provided.

For a written withdrawal, you must also enclose copies of the required documents. If you are leaving a legally recognised church or religious society, you can send the written declaration in either of these ways:

• signed, by post; or
• electronically with a qualified electronic signature (qualifizierte digitale Signatur).

Leaving a registered religious community (eingetragene religiöse Bekenntnisgemeinschaft) is subject to the rules of the General Administrative Procedure Act (Allgemeines Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz, AVG).

The authority forwards your declaration to the responsible representative body of the church concerned. You therefore do not need to notify the church separately.

Which documents are required?

Your withdrawal is valid only if you clearly state which church you belonged to and the authority can notify the correct church. Providing evidence of your membership helps prevent sensitive information about your religious affiliation from being sent to the wrong community.

You may need:

• Official photo identification (amtlicher Lichtbildausweis)
• Proof of membership, such as:
• Baptism certificate (Taufschein)
• Marriage certificate (Trauschein), if you are married and your name has changed
• Confirmation certificate (Firm- oder Konfirmationsbestätigung)
• Contribution account number (Beitragskontonummer) shown on a payment confirmation or payment demand
• Another document from the church confirming membership

The required documents can vary between federal provinces. Contact the competent authority in good time to confirm what it accepts.

How much does leaving a church cost?

No fee is charged for the withdrawal itself. However, depending on the federal province and its provincial fee regulations (Landesabgabenverordnung), a charge may apply for administrative work, for example:

• recording the declaration in an official record (Niederschrift);
• issuing confirmation of the withdrawal.

Ask the competent authority for the exact amount.

Can foreign nationals leave a church in Austria?

Yes. Foreign nationals can submit their withdrawal declaration to an Austrian authority if their main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) is in Austria.

If you have already moved away from Austria and want to leave a church while living abroad, the law of the country where you live applies. You must find out locally what procedure to follow.

If you later move back to Austria, notify your baptism or wedding parish (Geburts- oder Trauungspfarramt) in writing and attach the document issued by the country where you live confirming your withdrawal.

What changes after leaving?

Members of Austrian churches pay a church contribution, commonly referred to as church tax. For information about the amount, calculation and available reductions, consult the current information from your own church. Figures and rules should always be checked against the church's latest guidance.

After leaving, you are officially classified as having no religious affiliation (ohne Bekenntnis, abbreviated as o.B.). If you are asked to state your religion, this is the designation to provide.

Can you rejoin a church?

Yes, but rejoining is not a state administrative matter. Joining or rejoining (Eintritt, Wiedereintritt) is handled directly by the church concerned.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to declare my withdrawal at the parish?

No. In Austria, the declaration is made to a state authority: the Bezirkshauptmannschaft, the Magistrat in a statutory city, or the Magistratisches Bezirksamt in Vienna.

Is an ordinary email enough?

No. If you are leaving a legally recognised church, the written declaration must be sent by post with a signature or electronically with a qualified electronic signature.

What if I no longer have my baptism certificate?

You may be able to prove membership in another way, for example with a confirmation certificate, the contribution account number shown on a payment confirmation or payment demand, or another document from the church. Ask the competent authority which documents it accepts.

What should I enter in the religion field after leaving?

You will have no religious affiliation: ohne Bekenntnis (o.B.).

Practical steps

1. Identify the authority responsible for your main residence.
2. Contact the authority to confirm the required documents, procedure and any administrative fee.
3. Prepare your official photo identification and proof of church membership.
4. Submit the declaration in person or in writing. For a written declaration, use a signed postal letter or a qualified electronic signature.
5. Request and keep the confirmation of withdrawal.
6. Use ohne Bekenntnis (o.B.) if you later need to state your religious affiliation.

Note: This article is based on information available online and does not constitute legal advice. Use it at your own risk. If you need professional advice, consult a lawyer, legal professional or another relevant specialist.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at