Austria · Citizenship
Austria Citizenship by Conferral
Austrian citizenship is conferred after long residence and proof of integration. The standard wait is ten years, six years is possible in defined cases, and applicants must normally give up their previous nationality.
- Startup route
- Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders
- Minimum capital
- EUR 30,000, at least half of it equity
- Permanent residence
- 5 years (Long-term resident – EU)
- Citizenship
- 10 years; 6 years in specific cases
Conferral of citizenship after ten years
The standard route requires ten years of lawful and continuous residence in Austria, at least five of them with a residence permit. Applicants prove German through Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, pass a written multiple-choice test on democracy and the history of Austria and their province, and show stable and regular income of their own for an average of 36 months within the last six years, including the six months before applying. They must have a clean record, with no convictions, pending proceedings or serious administrative offences. Fees vary by province.
- Residence
- 10 years, at least 5 with a residence permit
- Language
- German via Module 2 (B1)
- Test
- Written test on democracy and history
- Income
- Own income averaged over 36 months in 6 years
- Government fee
- Varies; confirm with the provincial government
- Dual citizenship
- Generally not allowed
Requirements
- Ten years of lawful, continuous residence, including at least five years with a residence permit.
- German proven through Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, unless an exception applies.
- A pass in the citizenship test on democracy and Austrian and provincial history.
- Stable, regular own income for an average of 36 months within the last six years.
- No criminal convictions, pending proceedings or serious administrative offences.
- Renunciation of the previous nationality, where possible and reasonable.
How to apply
- Check eligibility with the provincial citizenship office for the main residence.
- Pass the citizenship test and assemble income and Module 2 evidence.
- File the application and, where needed, receive an assurance of conferral.
- Renounce the previous nationality within two years and submit the release certificate.
Early conferral after six years
Six years of lawful, uninterrupted residence can be enough when the general requirements are met and one further ground applies. The grounds include German at level B2, evidence of sustained personal integration, EEA citizenship, birth in Austria, or five years of marriage or registered partnership with an Austrian citizen in a shared household. Sustained integration can be shown by at least three years of unpaid volunteering for a non-profit organization, three years working in education, social services or health care above the marginal-employment threshold, or three years in a leadership role in an interest group. Time abroad may not exceed 20% of the period.
- Residence
- 6 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence
- Language route
- German at level B2
- Integration route
- 3 years of qualifying volunteering or work
- Absences
- No more than 20% of the period abroad
- Government fee
- Varies; confirm with the provincial government
Requirements
- All general conditions for conferral, including income, the citizenship test and a clean record.
- Six years of lawful residence with no more than 20% of the period spent abroad.
- One additional ground, such as German at B2 level or proof of sustained integration.
- For the integration ground, three years of volunteering, qualifying sector work or a representative role.
How to apply
- Obtain a B2 German certificate or document three years of qualifying integration activity.
- Confirm the six-year residence count with the provincial citizenship office.
- Apply with the evidence and complete the renunciation process if required.
Renouncing the previous nationality
Austria generally expects new citizens to give up their previous nationality. Where the other country's law does not end its citizenship automatically, the applicant first receives an assurance of conferral and then has two years to renounce the old nationality, as far as this is possible and reasonable. The release certificate must be submitted without being asked, and the provincial citizenship office decides whether renunciation is impossible or unreasonable.
The notable exception concerns people whose extraordinary achievements, past or expected, make their naturalization a special interest of the Republic. In those cases the renunciation requirement can be waived. This is a discretionary route for exceptional individuals rather than a published investment program, and official guidance sets no investment amount. Most founders will therefore plan around the ten-year or six-year rules.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to get Austrian citizenship?
The general rule is ten years of lawful and continuous residence, with at least five years on a residence permit. Six years can be enough with German at B2 level, proof of sustained integration, EEA citizenship, birth in Austria or a qualifying marriage to an Austrian citizen.
Can a founder keep the original passport when becoming Austrian?
In principle, no. Applicants who acquire Austrian citizenship by conferral generally have to give up their previous nationality, usually within two years after receiving an assurance of conferral. Exceptions apply where renunciation is impossible or unreasonable, or where the naturalization is in the special interest of the Republic.
Does Austria offer citizenship by investment?
No official citizenship-by-investment program exists. Austrian law allows conferral in the special interest of the Republic based on extraordinary achievements, already made or expected, but it is a discretionary exception rather than an application program with a set investment amount.
What does the Austrian citizenship test cover?
It is a written multiple-choice exam before the provincial government on the democratic system, its basic principles and the history of Austria and the relevant province. Minors under 14 and people with serious mental or physical health conditions can be exempt.
Official sources
- Citizenship - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- General conditions for naturalisation - oesterreich.gv.atwww.oesterreich.gv.at
- Vorzeitige Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft nach sechs Jahren - oesterreich.gv.atwww.oesterreich.gv.at
- Dual citizenship - oesterreich.gv.atwww.oesterreich.gv.at
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Austria.
Startup visa
Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders: 50 points, EUR 30,000 capital
02Temporary residence
First card for up to 24 months, then the Red-White-Red Card plus
03Permanent residence
Long-term resident – EU after 5 years, with Module 2 (German B1)
04Citizenship
Usually 10 years; the previous nationality must normally be renounced