Dual Citizenship in Austria: Loss, Revocation and Renunciation

If you are an Austrian citizen or are becoming one, Austrian law treats the acquisition of another nationality strictly. In certain circumstances, you can lose Austrian citizenship automatically and without a separate notification. The rules below explain when citizenship ends, when it can be revoked and when you may renounce it.

At a glance

• A person who acquires a foreign nationality on their own application, declaration or express consent loses Austrian citizenship by operation of law.
• This does not happen if the person applied for and received permission to retain Austrian citizenship (Beibehaltung) before acquiring the foreign nationality.
• If a person does not give up their former nationality within two years after naturalisation, Austrian citizenship may be revoked.
• Renunciation is possible only for someone who also has another nationality.
• Proceedings are handled by the provincial government (Landesregierung).

When is Austrian citizenship lost automatically?

Loss (Verlust) occurs by operation of law and does not require a separate decision. The foreign nationality must have been acquired intentionally, on the basis of the person’s own application, declaration or express consent.

These rules can also affect children. If an Austrian parent acquires another nationality, their minor and unmarried child also loses Austrian citizenship, unless the other parent remains an Austrian citizen. This can apply even where the child has held dual citizenship since birth—for example, if the Austrian parent acquires the nationality of their spouse.

Children and consent

• Under 14: The minor loses Austrian citizenship if the declaration of intent was made by the legal representative, or by the child or a third party with the legal representative’s express consent.
• Over 14: The child loses Austrian citizenship only if they expressly consented to the declaration before acquiring the foreign nationality.

Retention permission: keeping both nationalities

Automatic loss can be avoided if you apply for retention of Austrian citizenship (Beibehaltung) before acquiring the foreign nationality and permission is granted. The order is decisive: applying afterwards does not help.

Retention may be authorised if:

• it is in the interests of the Republic because of achievements already provided and expected in the future, or for a particularly deserving reason;
• in the case of a minor, it serves the child’s interests; or
• there is a particularly deserving reason in the person’s private and family life.

Whether these conditions are met is assessed individually in each case.

When can Austrian citizenship be revoked?

Revocation (Entziehung) takes place through formal proceedings. The grounds include:

1. Voluntary entry into the military service of a foreign state. This can lead to proceedings even if the person would become stateless. However, completing compulsory military service in a state of which the person is also a citizen does not result in the loss of Austrian citizenship.
2. Seriously harming the interests or reputation of the Republic while serving a foreign state.
3. Active participation in foreign combat operations on the side of an organised armed group in an armed conflict, but only if the person does not become stateless.
4. Failure to give up a former nationality. A person who does not leave their former nationality within two years after naturalisation for a reason attributable to them can lose Austrian citizenship through revocation.
5. A final conviction for specified terrorist offences in Austria or abroad, also only where the person does not become stateless.

Renunciation: who can give up Austrian citizenship?

Renunciation (Verzicht) must be declared in writing. Austrian citizenship ends only when the citizenship authority establishes the release in a written decision (Bescheid).

If Austrian citizenship is your only nationality, you cannot renounce it. The other requirements depend on where your main residence is.

Main residence abroad for more than five years without interruption

• You must have at least one additional nationality besides Austrian citizenship.

Main residence in Austria or abroad for less than five years

• You must have an additional nationality.
• There must be no pending criminal proceedings or execution of a sentence for an offence punishable by more than six months’ imprisonment.
• You must not be a member of the Federal Army (Bundesheer).
• For men between 16 and 36, basic military or civilian service must have been completed, or an exemption must have been granted.

If another country requires proof that Austrian citizenship will be lost for the purpose of naturalisation, you can request a confirmation (Bestätigung). In this situation, renunciation is not available because Austrian citizenship ends automatically when the foreign nationality is acquired.

Dual citizenship and military service

Austrian men liable for military service who hold dual or multiple nationalities must complete military service in Austria if the other state has not ratified the relevant international conventions, or if the convention does not provide that service should be completed in another country.

Austria has joined several such conventions, including the Strasbourg conventions and the Hague Protocol. Only conventions ratified by both states of which the person is a citizen can apply. An exemption may be requested on the basis of military service already completed abroad, but there is no automatic entitlement to an exemption: each case is assessed individually.

Which authority handles the matter?

Revocation and renunciation proceedings are handled by the competent provincial government (Landesregierung). Whether the conditions for loss are met is always assessed in the individual case.

Frequently asked questions

Will I receive a notification if I lose Austrian citizenship automatically?

No separate decision is required. Loss occurs by operation of law when a foreign nationality is intentionally acquired.

Can I apply for retention permission afterwards?

No. Retention must be applied for and granted before the foreign nationality is acquired.

Will I lose Austrian citizenship if I complete compulsory military service in my other country?

Not if it is compulsory service in a state of which you are also a citizen. Voluntary entry into military service can result in revocation proceedings.

When does citizenship actually end after renunciation?

It ends when the citizenship authority issues a written decision establishing the release.

Practical steps

1. Before applying for or accepting another nationality, check whether you need retention permission (Beibehaltung).
2. Submit the retention application before the foreign nationality is acquired; a later application cannot prevent automatic loss.
3. If you are considering renunciation, confirm that you have another nationality and identify the requirements based on your main residence.
4. Check military-service obligations, including whether a relevant international convention applies and whether service abroad can support an exemption request.
5. Contact the competent provincial government (Landesregierung) for the procedure applicable to your individual case.

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