Austrian Citizenship in 2025: How to Qualify, What to Prepare, and How to Apply

Austria’s path to citizenship is predictable but exacting. Most candidates naturalize after a long-term, lawful period of residence, proving a stable income, integration (including German and civics), and a clean record. Some categories qualify sooner (for example, spouses or highly integrated residents), and a distinct restitution route exists for descendants of victims of Nazi persecution. Below is a practical, step-by-step guide for 2025, outlining who qualifies, the documents to gather, the process, and the source of the rules.

The main routes at a glance

• • Ordinary naturalization after 10 years of legal, continuous residence (most applicants)

  • Early naturalization after 6 years (enhanced integration, including higher German)

  • Naturalization as a spouse of an Austrian

  • Restitution route for descendants of Nazi persecution (§58c StbG)

Ordinary naturalization (10-year track)

What it is
The standard route: ten years of legal, continuous residence (at least five of those years in a settled status), plus integrity, secure livelihood, and integration.

Eligibility highlights

• • 10 years legal, continuous residence (≥5 years with a residence title)

  • Clean criminal record and no serious administrative offenses

  • Secure maintenance (no social assistance)

  • Successful civics test (democratic order and federal/provincial history)

German requirement

• • B1 German (Integration Agreement Module 2 is “generally required” for citizenship). This is the benchmark most authorities apply for ordinary naturalization.

Documents you’ll typically be asked for

• • Identity/civil status: passport(s), birth certificate, marriage/registered partnership certificate, divorce/death certificates if relevant, name-change records

  • Residence: past residence permits, local registrations (Meldezettel), proof of continuous stay

  • Income: employment contract(s), employer confirmations, payslips, tax assessments, social-insurance statements, bank statements; list any debts/maintenance obligations

  • Integration: recognized German certificate (B1) and citizenship-test pass or qualifying exemptions

  • Background: criminal-record certificates (Austria + countries of nationality/recent residence), as directed by your authority

Fees to budget (typical ranges)

• • Filing fee (adult/minor): about €163 / €89 (Vienna examples)

  • Federal decision fee: usually €1,448 in “10-year” cases (other statutory cases can be €1,126; minors €322)

  • Provincial/municipal administrative fees: vary by province; some charge sliding amounts up to the high hundreds of euros; small fixed surcharges (e.g., €52 for certain notices) also occur

Early naturalization after 6 years

What it is
A shortened route for strongly integrated residents. It still requires the general conditions (secure livelihood, integrity, civics, etc.), but you may qualify after six years if you meet enhanced integration benchmarks.

Eligibility triggers (typical)

• • 6 years legal, continuous residence, plus one of several “enhanced integration” proofs—most commonly higher German or demonstrable special contributions in the public interest

German requirement

• • B2 German is a recognized early-track trigger in multiple provincial guides. Other exceptional achievements (e.g., sustained scientific, economic, cultural, or athletic contributions) can also qualify.

Documents you’ll typically be asked for

• • All documents listed under the 10-year route, plus the proof that satisfies the early-track trigger (e.g., B2 certificate or evidence of exceptional achievements)

Fees to budget

• • Same charging architecture as the 10-year track (application fee + federal decision fee + provincial fee). For many “all other cases,” federal decision fees of €1,126 apply; check your authority’s schedule.

Naturalization as the spouse of an Austrian

What it is
Spouses may naturalize earlier than 10 years if they meet the uninterrupted residence period and household requirements alongside the general conditions.

Eligibility highlights (indicative)

• • Intact marriage and shared household for a qualifying period

  • Continuous lawful residence in Austria (local authorities tell you what counts)

  • All general conditions (integrity, secure livelihood, civics)

German requirement

• • B1 German is generally expected for naturalization; the spouse route doesn’t eliminate the language obligation.

Documents you’ll typically be asked for

• • Marriage certificate and proof of shared household

  • Spouse’s proof of Austrian citizenship

  • All other documents listed for ordinary naturalization

Fees to budget

• • Filing fee + federal decision fee (base) + provincial fees. If you extend naturalization to a spouse or partner at the same time, some fee tables add a second federal fee line item (often €1,126–€1,448) for the extension.

Restitution route for descendants of Nazi persecution (§58c StbG)

What it is
A special acquisition “by declaration” (Anzeige) for victims of Nazi persecution and their direct descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and further down the line). This route is deliberately liberalized to correct historical injustice.

Eligibility highlights

• • You descend directly from a persecuted Austrian ancestor who fled persecution related to the Nazi regime (legal definitions apply)

  • You may file from abroad at an Austrian consulate or in Austria

German requirement

• • None. There is no language or residence requirement in this route.

Documents you’ll typically be asked for

• • Proof of direct descent (civil-status chain)

  • Evidence linking the ancestor to persecution and flight from Austria (the consulate or province will detail acceptable records)

Fees to budget

• • Federal fees for §58c declarations are waived. You may still pay for translations, apostilles/legalizations, and any local certificate issuance (passports/IDs are separate).

Process, timing, and practical tips

Orientation and appointment
Most provinces offer an online pre-check and an information session before filing. In Vienna, MA 35 handles citizenship; other provinces have parallel units.

Filing
Apply in person at your provincial authority. You sign the application record; the case officer may request extra proofs (e.g., updated criminal records or translations) during review.

Testing and verification
Expect a values/civics test (unless exempt) and a check of residence continuity and financial sufficiency. Make sure your German certificate matches the level for your route (B1 ordinarily; B2 for the 6-year track if using language as your “enhanced integration” proof).

Renunciation vs dual citizenship
Austria generally requires renunciation of your current citizenship before conferral, except where the law creates an explicit exception—most notably §58c (descendants of Nazi persecution), which allows you to keep your other citizenship. Clarify timing with your authority so the renunciation (if required) aligns with the Austrian decision.

Timelines
They vary by province and dossier completeness. Budget months, not weeks. Complex personal histories can take longer.

Disclaimer

This blog post is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Austrian nationality law and provincial practices change, and individual facts matter. For binding guidance on eligibility, documents, renunciation, and timelines, consult your competent provincial authority or a qualified Austrian immigration/nationality lawyer.